Oncogenic mutations in (benign) skin tumors and nevi: relevance, mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Mark-Jürgen Berneburg, since 11/2017
• Subject Area: Dermatology
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 263643178

The first objective of this study is the identification of oncogenic mutation patterns and pathways, which are critically involved in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant sebaceous tumors. The obtained genetic, immunohistochemical and functional data will allow to specifically characterize and contrast benign with malignant sebaceous tumors. A clearer understanding of what makes sebaceous tumors benign or malignant will help to identify starting points for targeted molecular therapies of these tumors. After HRAS and KRAS mutations have been shown to be causally involved in the pathogenesis of sebaceous nevi, further organoid epidermal nevi (in particular nevus comedonicus) shall be screened for oncogenic mutations as well. Knowledge of the genetic background of organoid epidermal nevi like the nevus comedonicus is valuable, as it allows to draw inferences about the pathogenesis of associated tumors. Furthermore, as nevus comedonicus shares certain histological characteristics with acne comedonica, the obtained results could contribute to a better unterstanding of the latter disease as well.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Jürgen Bauer; Professor Dr. Christian Hafner; Professor Dr. Peter Kind; Professor Dr. Wulf Schneider; Professor Dr. Christos C. Zouboulis
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Leopold Größer, until 10/2017