They mainly focus on the analysis of the tumor biological role of extracellular serine proteases and their associated proteins as well the clinical relevance of these factors concerning prognosis and response to treatment. Over the years, we have established a broad array of methods to analyze tumor-associated factors, e.g. recombinant expression of proteases, structural and enzymological analysis, generation of mono- and polyclonal antibodies, molecular biology (QPCR), ELISA, immunohistochemistry, FACS and confocal laser scanning microscopy, cellular assays to test proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion as well as in vivo xenograft and syngenic mouse models. Working in a Women's Hospital, we have access to a large number of tumor tissue samples from well-documented breast and ovarian cancer patients and we have conducted numerous clinical studies to analyze the prognostic value of expression levels of proteases concerning patients' survival as well as response to (chemo-)therapy. By this, we were able to select attractive new targets for tumor therapy, e.g. specific proteases, which are linked to poor patient survival when overexpressed. The development of highly potent and selective inhibitors towards these proteases may lead to new potent drugs to treat individual patients (personalized medicine). PI's track record: 198 publications in scientific journals with an "impact factor"-listing 37 other publications (no abstracts) 9 patents (world-wide, EU, or Germany)
our research integrates pioneering methodological approaches in the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of these compounds, representing a substantial advancement in the field. These compounds exhibit a high degree of specificity and selectivity for their intended targets, showcasing a potential advantage over current therapies. Notably, they demonstrate a reduced likelihood of inducing resistance, addressing a critical concern in long-term treatment strategies. Additionally, our work introduces novel delivery methods, leveraging specialized carriers and systems, enhancing the efficacy and applicability of these compounds. This innovative approach offers new avenues for therapeutic intervention, contributes to the progress of biotechnological products, and provides unprecedented insights into the mechanisms of drug delivery for these macromolecular inhibitors. The research outcomes, bolstered by published papers and patents, position these compounds as a significant contribution to the field, and may contribute to clarifying the physiopathology of diseases and to developing compounds that could be applied as tools for diagnostic or therapeutic use.
cancer therapy, drug development, enzyme inhibition, metastasis, peptide-based therapy, plant-derived compounds, protease inhibitors, triple-negative breast cancer, tumor growth, tumor microenvironment