idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Protein kinases regulate nearly all processes in cells. If the function of these enzymes is disrupted, often cancer will develop. In particular certain types of deregulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are believed to be the cause of various types of cancer. In his new research project, cellular biologist Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam of the University Medical Center at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) intends to dissect on the molecular level how disturbed MAPKs lead to the generation of tumors.
Based on this knowledge, researchers may be able to develop substances that inhibit the activity of these deregulated protein kinases.
The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is funding this research project to the tune of some EUR 580,000. Protein kinases regulate nearly all processes in cells. If the function of these enzymes is disrupted, often cancer will develop. In particular certain types of deregulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are believed to be the cause of various types of cancer. In his new research project, cellular biologist Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam of the University Medical Center at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) intends to dissect on the molecular level how disturbed MAPKs lead to the generation of tumors. Based on this knowledge, researchers may be able to develop substances that inhibit the activity of these deregulated protein kinases. The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is funding this research project to the tune of some EUR 580,000.
Every year, 1.6 to 1.8 million people around the world develop lung cancer. In men, lung cancer is the most frequent cause of death from cancer in the world. In Germany, it is the third most common cancer. Smoking is the greatest risk factor. The earlier that lung cancer is diagnosed, the greater is the chance of recovery.
Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam, who is originally from India, and his team have been able to demonstrate that the concentration of certain MAPKs in the tissue of so-called non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) is elevated. NSCLCs represent more than 80 percent of all lung and bronchial cancers. With this in view, Rajalingam is convinced that a comprehensive analysis of these MAPKs will provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of lung cancer. "Tumor cells have developed various strategies to protect themselves against being detected by the specific immune system. Because of this, they can proliferate unhampered in the body. Once we thoroughly understand MAPKs, we should be able to develop innovative therapeutic concepts that will enable us to attack tumor cells and also activate the immune system," stated Rajalingam.
The Vice Dean of Research of the Mainz University Medical Center, Professor Hansjörg Schild, shares this conviction: "This research project has the potential to reveal new options for the successful development of immune therapies for treating NSCLC. This is all the more important because the prognosis for patients with this type of cancer has not been particularly positive to date. In addition, it is quite possible that patients with an immune disease will also profit in the long term once we have managed to decode the roles played by MAPKs."
Rajalingam has been the recipient of the prestigious Heisenberg Professorship for Cellular Biology at Mainz University since July 2014 and works with his international team in the Mainz Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI). He is also a Fellow of the Gutenberg Research College (GRC) of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
Image:
http://www.uni-mainz.de/bilder_presse/personal_04_rajalingam.jpg
Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam
photo/©: private
Contact:
Professor Dr. Krishnaraj Rajalingam
Institute of Immunology
University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
phone +49 6131 17-8051
e-mail: krishna@uni-mainz.de
https://www.msu-mainz.com/
Press contact:
Oliver Kreft
Corporate Communications
University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
phone +49 6131 17-7424
fax +49 6131 17-3496
e-mail: pr@unimedizin-mainz.de
http://www.unimedizin-mainz.de/index.php?id=240&L=1
Press contact:
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
Bianka Jerke
Press and Public Relations
phone +49 6172 8975-24
e-mail: b.jerke@ekfs.de
https://www.ekfs.de/en/
About the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS)
The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung being a non-profit foundation is dedicated to advancing medical research and medical-humanitarian projects. The foundation was established in 1983 by the entrepreneur Else Kröner, who bequeathed it all her assets. The EKFS draws almost all of its income dividends from the Fresenius healthcare group, in which the foundation is the largest shareholder. To date, it has funded some 1,660 projects. With an annual total funding volume of currently over EUR 40 million, it is one of the largest medical funding foundations in Germany. For more information, please visit: https://www.ekfs.de/en/
About the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
The University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is the only medical institution of supra-maximum supply in Rhineland-Palatinate and an internationally recognized science location. It comprises more than 60 clinics, institutes, and departments working interdisciplinary. Highly specialized patient care, research, and teaching form an inseparable unit in the Mainz University Medical Cente. Around 3,400 students of medicine and dentistry are trained in Mainz. With approximately 7,800 employees, the Mainz University Medical Center is also one of the largest employers in the region and an important driver of growth and innovation. More information is available online at http://www.unimedizin-mainz.de/index.php?id=240&L=1
Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam
Source: photo/©: private
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, Scientists and scholars
Medicine
transregional, national
Research projects
English
You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.
You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).
Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.
You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).
If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).
