Targeting of TNFR2 and related molecules to separate graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) from the GvL effect (B02)

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

We developed two novel human (hu) TNFR2 agonists with high specific activity and excellent stability and productivity: i) a nanobody-based agonist showing anti-GvHD activity in huTNFR2 knockin (ki) mice and ii) a huTNFR2-specific huTNF-based agonist whose murine surrogate exerts anti-GvHD activity in wild type mice. The two human agonists will now be compared head-to-head in huTNFR2 ki mice with regard to their anti-GvHD- and GvHD/GvL-separating activity to identify the lead candidate for clinical translation.

• 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: Dr. Isabell Lang, since 1/2026; Professor Dr. Harald Günther Wajant