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. 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 AG 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.

< Worum geht es? >

< Wir haben eine "in-situ Vakzinierung" durch präoperative Bestrahlung von Brustkrebszellen im Humanisierten Tumormaus Modell evaluiert. Durch eine in der Klinik bislang nicht etablierte, sog. neoadjuvante Bestrahlung werden Tumoren, die vom Immunsystem nicht angegriffen, oder eliminiert werden besser erkannt, womit die körpereigene Immunabwehr angeregt wird. Zusätzlich können mit dieser Strategie Immuntherapien (anti-PD-L1) effzienter werden. Mehr Details 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

in the International Journal of Molecular Science (IJMS) EA: Veruschka Albert; LA Prof. Dr. Gero Brockhoff

The research was funded by the Wilhelm Sander Foundation.