ZMB Member Iris Helfrich
ZMB Member
Iris Helfrich
Next ZMB-Member
Prof. Dr. Iris Helfrich
Clinic for Dermatology
University Hospital Essen
Hufelandstr. 55
45122 Essen
- +49 201 723 1648
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Oncology
Research Overview
Cancer cells can subvert the normal tissue architecture and reprogram the activity of stromal cells to their advantage. Tumor-regulated vascularization, the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the activation of resident cells, are key stromal events promoting cancer cell survival, invasion and metastasis. We and others have shown that tumor-infiltrating cells (e.g. T-cells, neutrophils, macrophages) play key parts in tumorigenesis but also impact therapy efficacy and resistance.
The group is interested to understand the multifactorial steps of melanoma metastasis and the reziprocal communication of tumor cells with cells of the microenvironment in regard to cancer therapy. Besides the known immune functions of tumor infiltrates, these cells have recently become of major interests since targeting “immune checkpoints” have become the most promising approach for activating therapeutic antitumor activity. Thus, a better insight into molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying on tumor-stroma interaction but also the impact of tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells will help to pave the way forward new anti-cancer therapies.
In our lab we use multiple 2D/3D in vitro assays to monitor in real time cellular functions and pathway activation but also use different experimental tumor models (xenotransplantation/ transgenically-driven spontaneous melanoma models) to identify tumor-modulating mechanisms and validate therapeutic intervention under dynamic environmental conditions.
Current Projects
- Molecular and functional analysis of tumor/stoma interactions controlling site-specific metastasis
- Clinical impact & biological function of the immune checkpoint protein CEACAM1
- Mechanisms of intrinsic and adaptive resistance
- Experimental modelling and functional genomics of melanoma brain metastases
- Immune modulatory effects of proton therapy (shared project with Prof. B. Timmermann/ Dr. H. Thomas, West German Proton Center)
Selected Publications
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Active Remodeling of Capillary Endothelium via Cancer Cell-Derived MMP9 Promotes Metastatic Brain ColonizationIn: Cancer Research Vol. 83 (2023) Nr. 8, pp. 1299 - 1314Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/
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ComplexEye : a multi-lens array microscope for high-throughput embedded immune cell migration analysisIn: Nature Communications Vol. 14 (2023) Nr. 1, 8103Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ Online Full Text (Open Access)
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Persister state-directed transitioning and vulnerability in melanomaIn: Nature Communications Vol. 13 (2022) Nr. 1, 3055Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ Online Full Text (Open Access)
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Integrative genomic analyses of patient-matched intracranial and extracranial metastases reveal a novel brain-specific landscape of genetic variants in driver genes of malignant melanomaIn: Cancers Vol. 13 (2021) Nr. 4, pp. 731Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ Online Full Text (Open Access)
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Size Matters: The Functional Role of the CEACAM1 Isoform Signature and Its Impact for NK Cell-Mediated Killing in MelanomaIn: Cancers Vol. 11 (2019) Nr. 3, pp. 356Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ Online Full Text (Open Access)
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Combined toll-like receptor 3/7/9 deficiency on host cells results in T-cell-dependent control of tumour growthIn: Nature Communications Vol. 8 (2017) pp. 14600Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ (Open Access)
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Spatiotemporally restricted arenavirus replication induces immune surveillance and type i interferon-dependent tumour regressionIn: Nature Communications Vol. 8 (2017) pp. 14447Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ (Open Access)
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Targeting VEGF-A in myeloid cells enhances natural killer cell responses to chemotherapy and ameliorates cachexiaIn: Nature Communications Vol. 7 (2016) pp. 12528Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ (Open Access)
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CEACAM1-3S drives melanoma cells into NK cell-mediated cytolysis and enhances patient survivalIn: Cancer Research Vol. 75 (2015) Nr. 9, pp. 1897 - 1907Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ (Open Access)
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Ultraviolet-radiation-induced inflammation promotes angiotropism and metastasis in melanomaIn: Nature Vol. 507 (2014) Nr. 7490, pp. 109 - 113Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/
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Aberrant mural cell recruitment to lymphatic vessels and impaired lymphatic drainage in a murine model of pulmonary fibrosisIn: Blood Vol. 119 (2012) Nr. 24, pp. 5931 - 5942Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/
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The VEGF-regulated transcription factor HLX controls the expression of guidance cues and negatively regulates sprouting of endothelial cellsIn: Blood Vol. 117 (2011) Nr. 9, pp. 2735 - 2744Online Full Text: dx.doi.org/ Online Full Text (Open Access)