2013 - 2017

Epigenetic Mechanisms involved in Disease Manifestation and Progression in MPN.

The project part leader, Sabine Zöchbauer-Müller, is group leader and Program Director for Molecular Targeting and Epigenetics at the Department of Medicine I (Division of Oncology) of the Medical University of Vienna. Sabine is a well-known expert in the field of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) in oncology. Her group has a major interest in epigenetic regulation of neoplastic cells and the identification and validation of clinically relevant TSG and related drug targets in diverse malignancies. More recently, the group started to investigate epigenetic regulations in MPN cells in cooperation with other SFB partners.

In the SFB from 2013 to 2017, her team focused on epigenetic mechanisms and targets relevant to growth and survival of neoplastic cells in various MPN. Although epigenetic factors have long been considered to play a role in MPN, only a few studies have been performed in this specific area of research so far.

Specifically, project #09 contributed substantially to the common goal of this SFB for several reasons: First the project was of major interest to the consortium as it focused on the effects of MPN-related driver-mutants (BCR/ABL, JAK2 V617F, KIT D816V) on DNA methylation and TSG expression. In addition, project #09 examined the effects of various targeted drugs on MPN cells and the mechanisms underlying antineoplastic drug effects. Drugs included TKI, other targeted drugs as well as demethylating agents.

Finally, project #07 worked on drug combination effects based on results and the identification of new epigenetic drug targets in defined cooperations with other SFB participants. All these approaches greatly assisted the SFB in reaching the major general and specific aims in the work program (and PL) of this SFB.