Researcher Database
PD Dr. Dr. Ekin Demir
Technische Universität München Klinikum rechts der Isar
Ismaninger Str. 22
81675 Munich
Programs
Exploitation of Oncogenic Mechanisms (EOM)
Molecular Diagnostics, Early Detection, and Biomarker Development (MDEB)
Summary
Our research group is an international team of biologists and clinicians with the aim to uncover selected disease mechanisms in pancreatic disease with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapy strategies.
The main three lines of investigation in our laboratory are as follows:
1) Mechanisms of neural invasion and neuropathy in human pancreatic cancer
Co-Investigators: Istvanffy, Wang
Neural invasion is one of hallmarks of human pancreatic cancer and pancreatic neuropathy, and it drastically worsens the prognosis of patients due to early recurrence. We developed novel research tools for simulating neural invasion in 3D culture and, together with our collaboration partners, characterized novel GEMMs of pancreatic cancer that exhibit human-like neural invasion. We currently focus on the role of Schwann cells, stromal cells (i.e. cancer-associate fibroblasts), mesenchymal stem cells, and especially immune cells as potential inducers of neural invasion.
2) Tumor immune profile in locally advanced and resectable pancreatic cancer
Co-Investigators: Istvanffy, Safak, Mota-Reyes
Neoadjuvant therapy has remarkably improved the prognosis of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, who can in ca. 60% of cases become candidates for surgical resection after tumor downsizing. We are applying novel mouse models that allow the application of neoadjuvant therapy similar to the clinical setting, and analyse the immune profile of neoadjuvantly treated versus primary resected pancreatic cancer in simultaneous comparison with human specimens.
3) Pain mechanisms in pancreatitis and pancreatic Cancer
Co-Investigators: Schorn, Safak
By far, the most unpleasant symptom of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer is severe abdominal and/or back pain. We have recently identified the molecular, neuro-immune mediators of pain in both diseases and are currently performing pre-clinical analgesic trials for more effective pain treatment in pancreatic diseases.
DKTK Junior Group Leader for Cancer Systems Biology
Single-cell approaches have not only revealed a wide variety of cell states, characterized by cells exhibiting striking differences in their transcriptional profile, but have also illuminated the mechanisms underlying state transitions in health and disease. Cellular plasticity and adaptive state changes have recently emerged as a basis for therapeutic resistance in cancer, and a better understanding of how cell state transitions are regulated is critical to develop therapeutic approaches that can overcome therapy resistance.
Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving non-genetic cellular heterogeneity and therapy resistance in malignancy. Using novel single-cell sequencing approaches, we seek to develop new experimental and computational strategies to define altered cell states in both, cancer and immune cells. Our aim is to leverage a data driven strategy combined with single cell genomics and systems biology to address the challenges posed by heterogeneity in cancer, and to develop new strategies to overcome it, with the aim of translating laboratory-based findings into the clinic.