Cancer develops through genetic changes that cause tumor cells to grow uncontrollably and spread in the body. Metabolic processes in the tumor microenvironment play a crucial role: tumor cells alter the local supply of energy and nutrients and can thereby weaken the immune defense. The THERA project investigates these interactions. Using advanced analytical technologies, the scientists make tumor cells, immune cells, and their metabolic processes visible within the tumor. The goal is to uncover how tumor cells suppress immune function through metabolic regulation – and to derive new therapeutic approaches from this knowledge. THERA also trains young physician-scientists to ensure that new discoveries are rapidly translated into clinical care.