The role of oncogene-driven activation of the CMTM6 / PD-L1 axis in leukaemia immune escape (P03)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441891347

P03 aims to identify oncogenic drivers of the protein CMTM6 – a stabilizer of PD-L1 surface expression – in leukaemia cells. Preliminary data show a link between oncogenic signalling, CMTM6 and PD-L1 in AML cells. P03 will decipher the downstream signalling events that promote CMTM6 and PD L1 expression in leukaemia cells. The effect of CMTM6 deficiency in leukaemia cells on T cell activation, metabolism and exhaustion and leukaemia immune escape will be studied in vitro and in immunocompetent murine AML models. P03 will clarify how oncogenic upregulation of the CMTM6/PD L1 axis contributes to leukaemia immune escape and whether CMTM6 blockade/deletion can enhance anti-leukaemia immune responses.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1479: Oncogene-driven immune escape (OncoEscape)
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Head: Dr. Natalie Köhler