Predicting and controlling resistance evolution against targeted/ferroptotic combination therapies (C01 [B06])

• Subject Area: Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology (Zoology)
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 325931972

Targeted cancer drugs inhibit molecules essential for tumor cell survival, but their effectiveness is often limited by resistant mutants present before treatment. As a starting point, we showed that cancer cells can be sensitive to both targeted drugs and ferroptosis-inducing agents. This project will map and predict resistance evolution under combination therapies of these drugs, using lung cancer cell lines. We will measure resistance mutation rates, model resistance evolution, and optimize combination therapy protocols to minimize the emergence of double-resistant mutants. The goal is to develop durable, model-guided cancer treatment strategies.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1310: Predictability in Evolution
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Johannes Berg, since 1/2022; Professor Dr. Johannes Brägelmann, since 1/2026; Professorin Dr. Silvia von Karstedt, since 1/2022