Restoring immune surveillance in post-transplant AML by targeting the c-MYC/FLT3-ITD/TAK1 axis (P24*)

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

This project investigates how c-MYC and FLT3-ITD via TAK1 contribute to immune escape in AML after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Preliminary data show that TAK1 activation upregulates immunosuppressive proteins like arginase-1 and galectin-3. Aim 1 examines in vivo how these two axes influence the graft-versus-leukaemia responses. Aim 2 analyzes the underlying signaling and transcriptional networks. In Aim 3, we validate our findings in patient samples using single-cell sequencing, cytometry and humanized mouse models to establish novel immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with AML relapse.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1479: Oncogene-driven immune escape (OncoEscape)
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Heads: Dr. Janaki Manoja Vinnakota; Dr. Tobias Wertheimer