DFG funding acquired

May 2026

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the collaborative project between Prof. Anja K. Wege (Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital Regensburg) and Prof. Richard Bauer (Department of Medicine at the University Hospital Regensburg).

 The project is entitled "Investigating the Significance of the CD39-CD73 Axis in Dual Checkpoint Inhibition of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma for Cancer Treatment". It aims to identify new dual therapies for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to evaluate new treatment options in vitro, ex vivo (patient material), and in the humanized tumor mouse model (HTM). The research focuses on investigating the combination of different checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, LAG-3, TIM-3), or their combination with anti-CD73 antibodies, to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enable an adequate immune response. The funding amounts to over € 0.5 mio, with each of the two research groups receiving 50% of the total cost.

Once again, HTM will be utilized for a therapy study.

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Current publication based on a PROTAC anti mdm2

June 2025

A recent research study in which we used a PROteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) against mdm2 in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells with and without a p53 mutation was recently published.

Mdm2 targeting via PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTAC) is efficient in p53 wildtype, p53-mutated, and abemaciclib-resistant estrogen receptor-positive cell lines and superior to mdm2 inhibition.

Instead of inhibiting a target molecule, a PROTAC targets its degradation. This approach promises to be more effective and specific than inhibition. Most importantly, it can be used to target previously undruggable molecules, such as mutated molecules and altered signaling pathways.

"Excellent" dissertation defense

April 2025

Veruschka Albert, a doctoral student in Molecular Medicine, defended her dissertation with special distinction (summa cum laude) on April 7, 2025. The topic:

Evaluation of HER4 as a potential predictive biomarker for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer with tamoxifen and abemaciclib – preclinical analyses in-vitro and in-vivo. 

The team congratulates Dr. rer. physiol. Veruschka Albert on this milestone

Current publication - Marker profiles for response to immunotherapy

March 2025

Master's student Verena Schweihofer publishes a paper with Prof. Anja K. Wege in "Cancer Cell International".

Breast cancer scoring based on a multiplexed profiling of soluble and cell-associated (immune) markers facilitates the prediction of  pembrolizumab therapy. Cancer Cell Int. 2025 Mar 27;25(1):120.

This is a proof-of-principle study in which the potential response to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab can be predicted based on cell-associated and soluble (immune) markers.

Innovative research work published

April 2024

The team publishes an innovative research paper in the renowned scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology

"Neoadjuvant radiotherapy in ER , HER2 , and triple-negative-specific breast cancer-based Humanized Tumor Mice (HTM) enhances anti-PD-L1 treatment efficacy." First authors: Dr. Christina Bruss, Veruschka Albert. Senior authors: Prof. Dr. Gero Brockhoff, Prof. Dr. Anja K. Wege.

The work was funded by the DFG.

< What is it about? >

< We evaluated an "in situ vaccination" approach using preoperative irradiation of breast cancer cells in a humanized tumor mouse model. Neoadjuvant irradiation, a technique not yet established in clinical practice, improves the detection of tumors that are not attacked or eliminated by the immune system, thus stimulating the body's own immune response. Furthermore, this strategy can increase the effectiveness of immunotherapies (anti-PD-L1). More details can be found in Front Immunol.

> Once again, the humanized tumor mouse (HTM) is being used for a therapeutic study. We demonstrate the tumor-suppressive influence of HER4 on tumor growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, as well as the therapeutic efficacy of tamoxifen and abemaciclib in the presence and absence (CRISPR/Cas-9 knockout) of HER4 expression.

Research paper focusing on HER4 published

July 2024

The team publishes another research paper entitled:

HER4 expression in MCF-7, T-47D, and ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells differentially affects the sensitivity to tamoxifen and abemaciclib treatment and restricts MCF-7 tumor growth in humanized tumor mice

1st author: Veruschka Albert; senior author: Prof. Dr. Gero Brockhoff

The research was funded by the Wilhelm Sander Foundation.