Our goal is to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. We combine basic and translational research to fight cancer, particularly lung and gastrointestinal cancer.
Research projects
Biomedical research
Cancer research
Cell biology research
Methods: cell culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, protein analysis, genetic manipulation, precision cut tissue slices, in vivo tumor models, sequencing, immunohistochemistry
Deciphering the cellular interaction of cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment upon therapeutic intervention, at the primary lesion and at the metastatic site
Kinase signaling in the immune responses of small-cell lung cancer
Our preliminary results suggest that kinases are deregulated in SCLC during metastasis and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade and helps the tumor to escape the immune system. We plan to investigate kinase inhibitors for their immunoregulatory properties and elucidate the molecular mechanisms downstream of responsible kinases and identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapy.
The lungs are frequently affected by metastases of various solid cancers including breast-, colon- and pancreatic cancer. When cancer cells disseminate from their primary site and reach a foreign tissue microenvironment, cancer cell need to adapt, survive and subsequently proliferate to form metastases. Unravelling the mechanisms driving this post-extravasation behaviour is an experimentally challenging problem in cancer research which we aim to address.
We unravel the molecular mechanisms of metastasis which are a frequent complication in lung cancer. Thereby, we identify novel vulnerable targets for an anti-metastatic treatment.
Deciphering the interaction of lung cancer cells with the different types of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment show us, how we can switch on an anti-tumor immune response and derive novel therapeutic approaches.
Deciphering LIN28B as a biomarker in squamous cell lung carcinomas for treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 signaling blockade and evaluating combined anti-VEGFR2 with PD-1/PD-L1 signaling lockade as a novel therapy option
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. December 2021 - 30. November 2024 Funding source: Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an independent marker of worse prognosis in different tumor entities including lung adenocarcinoma, however its role in squamous cell lung cancer is still elusive. Due to still limited therpeutic options of targeted therapies for squamous cell lung cancer patient, we aim to define the role of LIN28B as new biomarker for patient stratification. Moreover, we aim to unravel the LIN28B dependent pathways regulating tumor development, progression and immune escape in squamous cell lung cancer.
Our goal is to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. We combine basic and translational research to fight cancer, particularly lung and gastrointestinal cancer.
Research projects
Kinase signaling in the immune responses of small-cell lung cancer
(FAU Funds)
Our preliminary results suggest that kinases are deregulated in SCLC during metastasis and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade and helps the tumor to escape the immune system. We plan to investigate kinase inhibitors for their immunoregulatory properties and elucidate the molecular mechanisms downstream of responsible kinases and identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapy.
Cancer cell colonization of the lung epithelium
(Own Funds)
The lungs are frequently affected by metastases of various solid cancers including breast-, colon- and pancreatic cancer. When cancer cells disseminate from their primary site and reach a foreign tissue microenvironment, cancer cell need to adapt, survive and subsequently proliferate to form metastases. Unravelling the mechanisms driving this post-extravasation behaviour is an experimentally challenging problem in cancer research which we aim to address.
Mechanisms of metastasis in lung cancer
(Own Funds)
We unravel the molecular mechanisms of metastasis which are a frequent complication in lung cancer. Thereby, we identify novel vulnerable targets for an anti-metastatic treatment.
Immune escape mechanisms in lung cancer
(Own Funds)
Deciphering the interaction of lung cancer cells with the different types of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment show us, how we can switch on an anti-tumor immune response and derive novel therapeutic approaches.
Deciphering LIN28B as a biomarker in squamous cell lung carcinomas for treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 signaling blockade and evaluating combined anti-VEGFR2 with PD-1/PD-L1 signaling lockade as a novel therapy option
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an independent marker of worse prognosis in different tumor entities including lung adenocarcinoma, however its role in squamous cell lung cancer is still elusive. Due to still limited therpeutic options of targeted therapies for squamous cell lung cancer patient, we aim to define the role of LIN28B as new biomarker for patient stratification. Moreover, we aim to unravel the LIN28B dependent pathways regulating tumor development, progression and immune escape in squamous cell lung cancer.
2024
2022
2021
2020
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