Metabolic stress related immune alterations with impact on GvL effect in ASCT (A06)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism ; Immunology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 324392634

Previously, we demonstrated that ASCT patients exhibit increased oxidative stress compared to healthy controls and autologous SCT patients. Oxidative DNA damage in reconstituting T cells correlated with their functional impairment, and an increased relapse risk. Targeting DNA repair mechanisms and mitochondrial health with microbial postbiotics indicates their potential to restore T cell fitness. We aim to: (i) investigate the link between mitochondrial fitness, DNA damage repair, and GvL efficacy, (ii) synergize postbiotics with DNA repair mechanisms to enhance GvL activity, and (iii) translate these insights into a CAR T cell-based approach.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 221: Modulation of graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukemia immune responses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Maik Luu, since 1/2026; Professor Dr. Andreas Mackensen, until 12/2025; Professor Dr. Dimitrios Mougiakakos