TGFβ-triggered Immunevasion of Lung Cancer

• Applicant: Dr. Sebastian Marwitz
• Subject Area: Pathology ; Pneumology, Thoracic Surgery
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 393820492

Lung cancer is among the most fatal diseases worldwide and exhibits only a poor chance of survival which is directly caused by aggressive invasion of tumor cells and early metastases. The invasive growth and metastatic capabilities are mainly controlled by the TGFβ signaling cascade which happens to be aberrantly activated in lung cancer. Only little is known about the signaling pathway in lung cancer in addition to its direct influence on invasion and metastasis. Hence, the outlined research proposal aims to elucidate the influence of the TGFβ signaling pathway on the hosts´ local immune response. The proposal will investigate if the elevated pathway activity in the tumor results in a dampened response of local effector immune cells. The expected results could contribute to propose the pathway as a new therapeutic target

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Bernard Fox, Ph.D.