AG Schrama

David Schrama: Tumor biology of skin cancer

Summary

In our research group we are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the unrestricted growth of skin cancer cells. One particular focus lies on Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) a rare but highly aggressive skin cancer with viral etiology. Indeed, the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is found monoclonally integrated in most of the MCC genomes, and MCPyV-positive tumor cell growth is dependent on the expression of viral oncoproteins, termed T antigens. Our group is interested in the molecular pathology of MCC and in particular in the interplay between viral and cellular proteins. Moreover, we are searching for new treatment options for MCC. Further skin cancers we are working on are melanoma and cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Selected Publications

Kervarrec T, Appenzeller S, Gramlich S, Coyaud E, Bachiri K, Appay R, Macagno N, Tallet A, Bonenfant C, Lecorre Y, Kapfer J, Kettani S, Srinivas N, Lei KC, Lange A, Becker JC, Sarosi EM, Sartelet H, von Deimling A, Touzé A, Guyétant S, Samimi M, Schrama D, and Houben R. 2024. Analyses of combined Merkel cell carcinomas with neuroblastic components suggests that loss of T antigen expression in Merkel cell carcinoma may result in cell cycle arrest and neuroblastic transdifferentiation. J Pathol. 264(1): p. 112-124. DOI: 10.1002/path.6304

DeTemple VK, Ritter C, Srinivas N, Spassova I, Gambichler T, Hüning S, Gräger N, Gutzmer R, Bröcker EB, Ugurel S, Schrama D, and Becker JC. 2024. Short- and long-term immunosuppressive effects of melanoma influence the prognostic value of the sentinel lymph node status. Eur J Cancer. 212: p. 115054. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.115054

Houben R, Alimova P, Sarma B, Hesbacher S, Schulte C, Sarosi EM, Adam C, Kervarrec T, and Schrama D. 2023. 4-[(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino]-2H-phenyl-1-phthalazinone Inhibits MCPyV T Antigen Expression in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Independent of Aurora Kinase A. Cancers (Basel). 15(9). DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092542

Houben R, Celikdemir B, Kervarrec T, and Schrama D. 2023. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus: Infection, Genome, Transcripts and Its Role in Development of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel). 15(2). DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020444

Kervarrec T, Samimi M, Hesbacher S, Berthon P, Wobser M, Sallot A, Sarma B, Schweinitzer S, Gandon T, Destrieux C, Pasqualin C, Guyetant S, Touze A, Houben R, and Schrama D. 2020. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus T Antigens Induce Merkel Cell-Like Differentiation in GLI1-Expressing Epithelial Cells. Cancers (Basel). 12(7). DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071989

Thiem A, Hesbacher S, Kneitz H, di Primio T, Heppt MV, Hermanns HM, Goebeler M, Meierjohann S, Houben R, and Schrama D. 2019. IFN-gamma-induced PD-L1 expression in melanoma depends on p53 expression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 38(1): p. 397. DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1403-9