Algemeen
Malignant hematopoiesis
In this project we investigate abnormalities in the cellular responsiveness to hematopoietic growth factors, the expression, structure and function of hematopoietic growth factor receptors as well as abnormalities of signal transduction and transcription that may contribute to the development of hematological malignancies. The abnormalities may influence the survival, cell cycle regulation, commitment or maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. The investigations on the genetic abnormalities of hemato-oncologic diseases extend towards the development of a specific diagnosis and the detection of minimal residual disease, as well as new therapeutic interventions of hematological malignancies. With respect to the development of new treatment strategies aimed at eradicating malignant hematopoietic progenitor cells, we address questions related to their sensitivity to chemotherapy and modulation of resistance, the response to novel drugs that target specific genes, experimental approaches of stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy and the genetic modification of hematopoietic stem cells. The modalities are explored in relevant animal models as well as in clinical studies.