Leukemia cell plasticity and NK cell activity as determinants of relapse in AML (B06)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533056198

Project B06 aims to identify cellular states of resistant AML blasts in first complete remission. Extended CITE-Seq analysis based on own surface proteomics data from primary AML will be used to characterize AML associated patterns of surface protein expression in the MRD positive setting. In the same CITE-Seq experiments, the microenvironment of MRD+ bone marrow with a special focus on NK cells will be characterized. Proprietary scFv phage libraries will be used to develop novel CAR constructs and CAR NK cells targeting AML associated patterns. These are then used to develop combinatorial off- the- shelf CAR NK cell products for effective targeting.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1709: Cellular Plasticity in Myeloid Malignancies: From Mechanisms to Therapies
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Adelheid Cerwenka; Professor Dr. Carsten Müller-Tidow