Targeting KMT9 to reprogramme immune cells in the tumour immune microenvironment in prostate cancer (P20*)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441891347

In this project, we plan to uncover KMT9-dependent immune escape mechanisms in prostate cancer. We will investigate whether KMT9 inhibitors alone or with CXCR2 inhibitors reprogram immune cells and block tumour growth in Pten/Trp53-KO prostates. Moreover, we will explore whether KMT9 loss enhances anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy (Aim 1). We will also investigate whether KMT9 controls immune cell populations in Pten and Pten/Smad4-KO prostates (Aim 2). In addition, we plan to identify the kinase-dependent signalling mechanism regulating translocation of KMT9 to the nucleus during prostate tumourigenesis (Aim 3).

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1479: Oncogene-driven immune escape (OncoEscape)
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Head: Eric Metzger, Ph.D.