Enzymes of the sphingolipid metabolism as potential prognostic markers for breast cancer patients - and the impact of a anti-hormone therapy

• Applicant: Dr. Marthe-Susanna Wegner
• Subject Area: Pharmacology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 274771287

Expression, protein level and activity of enzymes of the sphingolipid metabolism, especially ceramide synthases, after hormone, SERM and SERD treatment in estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cells is to be analyzed and therefore the potential as prognostic marker of breast cancer patients is determined. Therefore molecular mechanisms, which lead to a hormone-dependent altered expression of these enzymes in breast cancer tumors and the impact of a anti-hormone therapy on the expression of these enzymes are to be investigated. Additionally, the impact of these alterations on the breast cancer cell growth and whether the enzymes of the sphingolipid metabolism are a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer tumors is to be analyzed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Anthony H. Futerman