A New Therapeutic Approach to Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common forms of acute leukemia in adults. In Germany, around 13,400 people are diagnosed with leukemia each year, with AML accounting for approximately 22% of new cases in women and 27% in men. Despite advances in treatment, AML remains particularly challenging when cancer cells develop resistance to existing therapies.
The “ZifMen” research project aims to address this challenge. Prof. Dr. Edward Lemke of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Prof. Dr. Michael Kühn of University Medical Center Mainz have received approximately €460,000 in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for their joint research initiative.
The project focuses on developing an innovative Menin inhibitor designed to remain effective despite the emergence of drug resistance. The goal is to create a new generation of therapies that are more resilient to resistance mechanisms, potentially providing new treatment options for patients with therapy-resistant AML and broadening the therapeutic possibilities for the disease.
Supported by the European Union and the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, the project helps translate innovative fundamental research into potential medical applications. It also highlights how close collaboration between JGU and University Medical Center Mainz can generate promising approaches to treating serious diseases while strengthening Mainz as a center for science and innovation.
