Oncogene-driven adenosine production by leukaemic stem cells promotes their immune escape (P05)

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

Leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) are often associated with leukaemia burden as well as relapses. Our preliminary data show that oncogenic signalling induces adenosine production in AML LSCs which can be a key mechanism to facilitate their immune escape. Our project aims to address how oncogene-driven adenosine and other metabolites production by LSCs inhibits immune cell function, such as antigen presentation by resident macrophages, and promotes LSC-quiescence, which is by itself an immune escape mechanism. The ultimate goal is to find new therapeutic avenues to potentially circumvent immune escape of LSCs.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1479: Oncogene-driven immune escape (OncoEscape)
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Heads: Dr. Nina Cabezas-Wallscheid; Professorin Dr. Katrin Kierdorf