Targeting selective autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (E08 (C05))

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259130777

Autophagic flux is significantly increased in primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples compared to normal hematopoietic stem cells. Based on our previous data, we now aim to understand the molecular mechanisms governing mitophagy in AML, and we aim to identify kinases and kinase inhibitors regulating mitophagy. Furthermore, we plan to study the role of MST kinases in regulating autophagy in AML and to develop highly selective MST1/2 and MST3/4 inhibitors (so called chemical probes), and to assess their potential for new treatment strategies in AML.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1177: Molecular and Functional Characterization of Selective Autophagy
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Christian Brandts; Professor Dr. Stefan Knapp