Hormone Dependent Cancer

Epigenetic writers such as histone methyltransferases play key roles in the control of physiology and pathology. Consequently, small molecule inhibitors of various histone methyltransferases have been developed and entered clinical evaluation.  

To further expand our knowledge on the molecular functions of this important class of epigenetic enzymes we combine bioinformatic and cheminformatics approaches with 3D structural information to identify novel histone methyltransferases (HMTs) with putative clinical relevance.

The characterization of novel HMTs will be a prominent topic of future research. Since HMTs may function as key regulator of tumorigenesis i.e. in castration-resistant prostate or triple-negative breats cancer by orchestrating metabolism we need to understand the physiology and pathology of these HMTs in vitro and in vivo using state-of-the-art technologies.

Finally, guided by structure-function analyses we will develop specific inhibitors and move these compounds from basic research in phase I clinical trial.