Cancer Research in Switzerland - Krebsliga Schweiz

92
Translational relevance
The results suggest that immunotherapy for glioma may
be partially successful with peripheral approaches such as
vaccination, but locally applied treatments or reducing
immunosuppressive factors may be necessary for full efficacy.
Project coordinator
PD Dr Paul R. Walker
Laboratoire d’immunologie des tumeurs
Centre d’oncologie
Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève (HUG)
4, rue Gabrielle­Perret­Gentil
CH­1211 Genève 14
Phone +41 (0)22 372 98 80
paul.walker@hcuge.ch
Wymann Matthias P. | Phosphoinositide 3-kinases
in melanoma (OCS 01924­08­2006)
Advanced metastatic melanoma is refractory to conventional
chemotherapy. Phosphoinositide 3­kinases (PI3Ks)
are lipid kinases – enzymes phosphorylating lipids at the
plasma membrane – and act as a key relay of growth, proliferation
and cell migration. Initial studies using potent,
broad­band PI3K inhibitors have demonstrated the sensitivity
of melanoma to PI3K inhibition. Work with genetically
targeted mice shows that broadband PI3K inhibitors
affect metabolic control, the immune system and cardiovascular
parameters. To minimize side effects, the role of
specific PI3K isoforms on tumour autonomous control in
melanoma will be investigated. In this context, a murine
B16 cell tumour transfer model will be used. Altogether,
the proposed work will define the prospect and the profile
of future therapies targeting PI3Ks in melanoma.
Project coordinator
Prof. Dr. Matthias P. Wymann
Institut für Biochemie und Genetik
Departement Biomedizin
Universität Basel
Mattenstrasse 28
CH­4058 Basel
Phone +41 (0)61 695 30 46
matthias.wymann@unibas.ch
Further completed research projects from July 2008 to December 2010
Pelkmans Lucas | OCS 02111­08­2007 | CHF 198,000.–
Institut für molekulare Systembiologie, ETH Zürich, Zürich
How focal adhesion kinase (FAK) controls membrane partitioning and endocytosis of cell adhesion components
in normal and in cancer cells
Stamenkovic Ivan | OCS 01656­02­2005 | CHF 173,900.–
Institut universitaire de pathologie de Lausanne (IUP), Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne
Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of EWING’S family tumors