Targeting telomere maintenance mechanisms in SCLC (A03)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 413326622

Based on the observations of (i) tumor regression, differentiation and extended survival in the Tp53frt/frt;Rb1frt/frt;Tert-/- mouse model, and (ii) TERT dysregulation driving malignant progression of pulmonary carcinoids made in the first funding period, M. Fischer and his team will seek to characterize the mechanisms of regression and differentiation in murine telomerase-deficient SCLC in comparison to telomerase-proficient tumors. A particular emphasis will be on studying the impact of telomerase inactivation on cell death and to test, whether pharmacologic inhibition of telomerase is a viable approach in SCLC.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1399: Mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance in small cell lung cancer
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Matthias Fischer