Exploring the pathogenic roles of enhanced c-Rel function in cancer

Dr. rer. nat. Vanesa Fernández-Sáiz

Technical University of Munich
School of Medicine
Department of Hematology and Oncology(link is external)

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Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Marc Schmidt-Supprian

Technical University of Munich
School of Medicine
Institute of Experimental Hematology(link is external)
TranslaTUM(link is external)

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Project Summary


The transcription factor c-Rel, central to innate and adaptive immune responses, is directly implicated in oncogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which c-Rel alterations drive human hematopoietic and solid cancers remain unresolved. To address this issue, we established mice that allow for cell type-specific enhanced c-Rel expression and visualization. We will employ these and complementary loss of function models as well as advanced proteomic approaches to define tumor cell-intrinsic roles of c-Rel signaling in lymphoma and colorectal cancer, as well as mechanisms and consequences of c-Rel activity within the tumor immune environment.

Immunomodulatory drugs, including the Contergan derivatives lenalidomide and pomalidomide, have significantly improved the therapy of hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now further decoded the mode of action in this class of medications.

On 1st December the EIT Health Innovation Days Winners' Event 2019 took place in Paris. In workshops, the 33 EIT Health i-Day winner teams further developed their ideas with the support of mentors and coaches.