Press Releases
Defects in the packaging of genetic material in malignant brain tumors
Glioblastomas are regarded as particularly aggressive brain tumors. In children with glioblastoma, Heidelberg scientists have now discovered genetic alterations that affect the function of DNA packaging proteins known as histones. In a cell, histones serve as coils around which the DNA wraps. At the same time, histones regulate gene activity. Mutations in histone genes have never before been tied to a disease. The group comprising scientists of the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg University Hospitals and McGill University in Canada have now reported their findings in Nature.
German Cancer Aid Award for Peter Krammer
Professor Dr. Peter Krammer of the German Cancer Research (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is awarded the 2011 German Cancer Aid Award (Deutscher Krebshilfe-Preis 2011) jointly with Professor Dr. Klaus Michael Debatin of Ulm University Hospitals. The award is given to the two scientists in recognition of their pioneering research into signaling pathways which lead to cell death and can slow down cancer growth.
Self-regulation of the immune system suppresses defense against cancer
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are part of the body’s immune system, downregulate the activity of other immune cells, thus preventing the development of autoimmune diseases or allergies. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now found the activation steps that are blocked by Tregs in immune cells. Since Tregs can also suppress the body’s immune defense against cancer, the findings obtained by the DKFZ researchers are important for developing more efficient cancer treatments.
No brakes on breast cancer cells
Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have discovered a tiny RNA molecule, called miR-520, which at once blocks two important pathways in the development of cancer in cells. In estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, the production of this microRNA is often reduced and this is correlated with malignant behavior of tumor cells. The DKFZ team has found out that tumors with low levels of miR-520 have a particularly strong tendency to metastasize.
Two ERC grants go to the German Cancer Research Center
Two DKFZ researchers at a time are awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant this year. One of the grants is awarded to a project of Prof. Michael Boutros, who endeavors to show, for the first time, the interaction of all genes in cells of a higher organism. Prof. Bruno Kyewski is awarded an ERC grant for his studies of how immune cells learn tolerance of the body’s own structures.
Oxidative stress: Less harmful than suspected?
Oxidative stress is considered to be involved in a multitude of pathogenic processes and is also implicated in the proces of aging. For the first time, scientists of the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have been able to directly observe oxidative changes in a living organism. Their findings in fruit flies raise doubts about the validity of some widely held hypotheses: The research team has found no evidence that the life span is limited by the production of harmful oxidants.
Mysterious cells of the immune system: Immunologists at the German Cancer Research Center question the role of mast cells in autoimmune diseases
Up to now, scientists have assumed that mast cells, a certain type of immune cells, play a central role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Current studies conducted at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now provided evidence to refute this assumption. Now it is only the mast cells’ central function in allergies that remains undisputed.
Fighting Fat With Fat
Coordinated by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), a European research consortium is searching for ways to use brown fat tissue for combating widespread diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Enhanced treatment of brain tumors
Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospitals have tested a combination of radiation treatment and a substance that blocks the transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β) for treating glioblastoma. In the mouse model, this combination therapy was found to be more effective in slowing down the growth of such malignant brain tumors and to prolong survival of the animals. Researchers will now conduct a multicenter clinical trial to find out whether patients might also benefit from a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and growth factor blocking.
From microscopy to nanoscopy: 2011 Meyenburg Award goes to Stefan Hell
The EUR 50,000 Meyenburg Award in 2011 goes to physicist Stefan Hell. He is honored for developing a whole new kind of light microscopy which makes it possible for the first time to observe living cells down to nanomolecular scale. The Meyenburg Award will be presented on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at a symposium held at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
