Research project could lead to development of new immune therapies for lung cancer

Protein kinases regulate nearly all processes in cells. If the function of these enzymes is disrupted, often cancer will develop. In particular certain types of deregulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are believed to be the cause of various types of cancer. In his new research project, cellular biologist Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam of the University Medical Center at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) intends to dissect on the molecular level how disturbed MAPKs lead to the generation of tumors. Based on this knowledge, researchers may be able to develop substances that inhibit the activity of these deregulated protein kinases. The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is funding this research project to the tune of some EUR 580,000.

Every year, 1.6 to 1.8 million people around the world develop lung cancer. In men, lung cancer is the most frequent cause of death from cancer in the world. In Germany, it is the third most common cancer. Smoking is the greatest risk factor. The earlier that lung cancer is diagnosed, the greater is the chance of recovery.

Professor Krishnaraj Rajalingam, who is originally from India, and his team have been able to demonstrate that the concentration of certain MAPKs in the tissue of so-called non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) is elevated. NSCLCs represent more than 80 percent of all lung and bronchial cancers. With this in view, Rajalingam is convinced that a comprehensive analysis of these MAPKs will provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of lung cancer. "Tumor cells have developed various strategies to protect themselves against being detected by the specific immune system. Because of this, they can proliferate unhampered in the body. Once we thoroughly understand MAPKs, we should be able to develop innovative therapeutic concepts that will enable us to attack tumor cells and also activate the immune system," stated Rajalingam.

The Vice Dean of Research of the Mainz University Medical Center, Professor Hansjörg Schild, shares this conviction: "This research project has the potential to reveal new options for the successful development of immune therapies for treating NSCLC. This is all the more important because the prognosis for patients with this type of cancer has not been particularly positive to date. In addition, it is quite possible that patients with an immune disease will also profit in the long term once we have managed to decode the roles played by MAPKs."