Predicting and targeting Graft-versus-leukemia minor histocompatibility antigens to enhance anti-leukemia activity.

• Applicant: Dr. Nguyen Huong Jenny Giang Ho
• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564338605

The overall aim of this project is to delineate and identify minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAgs) associated with the onset of the graft-versus-leukemia effect (GvL) at the single-cell level using whole exome sequencing in longitudinally collected donor-recipient pairs. The identified GvL mHAgs will then be tested as potential targets to augment anti-leukemia immunotherapy. This project could potentially help to (i) refine the selection of candidate targets for clinical efforts to enhance the GvL effect, (II) improve current donor selection algorithms, (iii) enable personalized tailoring of post-transplant immunosuppression.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professorin Dr. Catherine J. Wu