Oncology
J96: Maria de los Reyes Gamez Belmonte, Department of Medicine 1
Bace1/Bace2 in colorectal cancer development
Main Research: Oncology
Term: 01.10.2021 – 31.03.2024 (bonus time until 30.09.3024)
The B-secretases (Bace1 and Bace2) are proteases involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, Bace1/2 can be found in tissues other than the brain, suggesting that their role goes well beyond AD. Interestingly, our preliminary data reveal that the expression of Bace1/2 is modulated in response to intestinal inflammation and during cancer development. We hypothesize that the B-secretases might have regulatory functions in the gut and the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer.
Dr. Maria de los Reyes Gamez Belmonte
Medizinische Klinik 1
J97: Benedikt Jacobs, Department of Medicine 5
Immune-metabolic dysfunction of NK cells
Main Research: Oncology
Term: 01.01.2022 – 30.06.2024
The metabolism of reconstituting NK cells upon autologous SCT is altered in lymphoma patients who experience an early relapse upon transplantation. We intend to decipher the underlying cellular and molecular mechanism to identify factors leading to the increased relapse risk and to reveal potential opportunities to modify them. This will lay the foundation for further projects investigating NK cell reconstitution upon allogeneic SCT and CAR-transfected NK cell expansion in tumor patients.
Principal Investigator Dr. Benedikt Jacobs Phone: +49 9131 85-43210 Email: Benedikt.Jacobs@uk-erlangen.de |
J100: Dennis Lapuente, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology
Mucosal vaccination against lung metastases
Main Research: Oncology
Term: 01.01.2023 – 30.06.2025
The presence of tumor-resident memory T cells (TRM) positively correlates with prognosis in many cancers. In our preliminary data, lung TRM induced by a mucosal vaccine efficiently protected against lung metastasis in a preclinical breast cancer model. We want to investigate the vaccine efficacy against lung metastases at different disease stages and the contribution of TRM and their unique features to this efficacy. The efficacy will also be assessed in combination with radio- and chemotherapy.
Dr. Dennis Lapuente
Virologisches Institut
- E-Mail: dennis.lapuente@uk-erlangen.de
J101: Christian Matek, Institute of Pathology
AI for GI Histopathology
Main Research: Oncology
Term: 01.01.2023 – 30.06.2025 (bonus time until 31.12.2025)
The proposed projects aims at using methods from AI-based image analysis to evaluate histopathologic samples from the field of gastrointestinal pathology. Specifically, samples from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and malignancies of the colorectum will be evaluated. It is the aim of the project to develop algorithms that quantify and detect specific morphologic properties of these samples and integrate them with other data modalities.
Dr. Christian Matek
Pathologisches Institut
- E-Mail: christian.matek@uk-erlangen.de
J102: Michael Rückert, Department of Radiation Oncology
cDC1s in abscopal effects and HHP vaccination
Main Research: Oncology
Term: 01.12.2022 – 31.05.2025
Abscopal effects are rare events of local radiotherapy (RT) inducing systemic anti-tumor immune responses leading to the reduction of tumor masses outside of the irradiation field. We hypothesize that the addition of adjuvants to high hydrostatic pressure generated whole tumor cell vaccines in combination with RT and immune checkpoint inhibition induce abscopal effects in an orthotopic breast cancer model. Further, we hypothesize that cDC1s play a central role in this immune response.
Dr. Michael Rückert
Strahlenklinik
- E-Mail: michael.rueckert@uk-erlangen.de
J113: Kerstin Hübner, Institute of Pathology
Role of ATF2 during peritoneal metastasis
Main Research: Oncology
Term: not started yet
Although peritoneal metastasis (PM) majorly contributes to colon cancer (CC) related deaths, knowledge on its molecular mechanisms and putative markers is limited. CC tumors deficient for the transcription factor ATF2 are associated with PM. Our project aims to unravel the role of ATF2 loss during peritoneal seeding and, in particular, the effects on mesothelial cells executed by the secretome of ATF2-deficient CC cells. Thereby, novel therapeutic approaches for PM in CC might be identified.
Dr. Kerstin Hübner
Pathologisches Institut
- E-Mail: kerstin.huebner@uk-erlangen.de
J114: Stephanie Naas, Department of Medicine 4
Key transcriptional circuitries in kidney cancer
Main Research: Oncology
Term: not started yet
A comprehensive molecular characterization of transcription factor dynamics in ccRCC evolution is a mandatory prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic interventions. Aim of this study is to define the components and interactions of oncogenic regulatory circuitries in ccRCC development with innovative NGS techniques. CRISPR/Cas-modified cell lines and patient-derived primary cells will be used to model early tumor stages and analyse epigenetic dysregulation in ccRCC evolution.
Dr. Stephanie Naas
Medizinische Klinik 4
- E-Mail: stephanie.naas@uk-erlangen.de
J115: Nora Vogg, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Steroid conjugates in adrenal tumors
Main Research: Oncology
Term: not started yet
A rapid and unambiguous differential diagnosis of adrenal tumors is challenging, but of high clinical relevance. In a preliminary untargeted metabolomics study, conjugated steroids in urine were identified as potentially very promising diagnostic biomarkers. This project aims to develop a quantitative LC-MS assay for steroid conjugates in urine and plasma for a detailed investigation of their utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for adrenocortical carcinoma in a larger patient cohort.
Dr. Nora Vogg
Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie
- E-Mail: nora.vogg@fau.de