[13.10.2025] Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung will fund a new research project starting in October 2025 that explores tumor-specific protein degradation strategies. The goal is to develop novel therapeutic approaches for head and neck cancers, including laryngeal carcinoma.

The team led by Dr. Mike Blüggel at the Center of  Medical Biotechnology (ZMB) is developing tailored nanobody-based PROTACs designed to selectively target the survival enzyme Survivin. Survivin plays a central role in the development of various cancers and contributes to resistance against radiation and chemotherapy. To date, it has remained difficult to reach therapeutically. For the first time, the researchers aim to achieve differentiated tumor targeting based on the specific Survivin–E3 ligase profiles of cancer cells.

The E3 ligase Pirh2 is co-expressed with Survivin, allowing both enzymes to be addressed simultaneously. By exploiting this molecular overlap, the team plans to design highly selective PROTACs that act only in Survivin- and Pirh2-positive tumor cells, thereby sparing healthy tissue. This targeted approach could resensitize resistant tumor cells to radiation and chemotherapy.

Another innovative aspect is the use of short degron sequences – small peptides serving as binding modules within the PROTACs. These degrons enable a precise and stable connection between the nanobody and the E3 ligase, improving both efficiency and specificity of targeted protein degradation.

Further information:
Dr. Mike Blüggel

University of Duisburg-Essen
Center of Medical Biotechnology 
Email: mike.blueggel@uni-due.de