Spatiotemporal Analysis of Immune Evasion Mechanisms in AKT1-mutant Brain Metastasis (P23*)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441891347

In P23N, we investigate how tumour cells evade immune surveillance in brain metastases, focusing on the influence of primary tumour origin and AKT1 mutations using spatiotemporally resolved single-cell transcriptomics. Aim2 examines the role of AKT1 in immune evasion by genetic modification of AKT1 and analyzing tumour progression and immune dynamics and correlates immune activity in patient samples with AKT1 mutational status. Aim 3 will test whether AKT1 inhibitors, in combination with immune or metabolic checkpoint blockade, can reverse immune escape and restore anti-tumour immunity.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1479: Oncogene-driven immune escape (OncoEscape)
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Heads: Dr. Florian Ingelfinger; Professorin Dr. Lisa Sevenich