Tumor-microenvironmental alterations during pathogenesis and therapy of conjunctival melanoma (C04)

• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501530074

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a malignant tumor of the ocular surface that is poorly understood. Therefore, the CM's tumor microenvironment (TME) shall be characterized in human and murine tissues to identify the key TME immune cells and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we will investigate the effects of cell type-specific modulation of inflammatory signaling in the pathogenesis of CM. In addition, topical checkpoint inhibition in murine CM alone and in combination with relevant cytokines will also be analyzed.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1607: Towards immunomodulatory and anti(lymph)angiogenic therapies for age-related blinding eye diseases
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Dr. Simona Schlereth; Professor Dr. Frank Thomas Wunderlich