@article{ProetelPletschLausekeretal.2014, author = {Proetel, Ulrike and Pletsch, Nadine and Lauseker, Michael and M{\"u}ller, Martin C. and Hanfstein, Benjamin and Krause, Stefan W. and Kalmanti, Lida and Schreiber, Annette and Heim, Dominik and Baerlocher, Gabriela M. and Hofmann, Wolf-Karsten and Lange, Elisabeth and Einsele, Hermann and Wernli, Martin and Kremers, Stephan and Schlag, Rudolf and M{\"u}ller, Lothar and H{\"a}nel, Mathias and Link, Hartmut and Hertenstein, Bernd and Pfirrmann, Markus and Hochhaus, Andreas and Hasford, Joerg and Hehlmann, R{\"u}diger and Saußele, Susanne}, title = {Older patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (≥65 years) profit more from higher imatinib doses than younger patients: a subanalysis of the randomized CML-Study IV}, series = {Annals of Hematology}, volume = {93}, journal = {Annals of Hematology}, number = {7}, issn = {0939-5555}, doi = {10.1007/s00277-014-2041-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121574}, pages = {1167-76}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The impact of imatinib dose on response rates and survival in older patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase has not been studied well. We analyzed data from the German CML-Study IV, a randomized five-arm treatment optimization study in newly diagnosed BCR-ABL-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. Patients randomized to imatinib 400 mg/day (IM400) or imatinib 800 mg/day (IM800) and stratified according to age (≥65 years vs. <65 years) were compared regarding dose, response, adverse events, rates of progression, and survival. The full 800 mg dose was given after a 6-week run-in period with imatinib 400 mg/day. The dose could then be reduced according to tolerability. A total of 828 patients were randomized to IM400 or IM800. Seven hundred eighty-four patients were evaluable (IM400, 382; IM800, 402). One hundred ten patients (29 \%) on IM400 and 83 (21 \%) on IM800 were ≥65 years. The median dose per day was lower for patients ≥65 years on IM800, with the highest median dose in the first year (466 mg/day for patients ≥65 years vs. 630 mg/day for patients <65 years). Older patients on IM800 achieved major molecular remission and deep molecular remission as fast as younger patients, in contrast to standard dose imatinib with which older patients achieved remissions much later than younger patients. Grades 3 and 4 adverse events were similar in both age groups. Five-year relative survival for older patients was comparable to that of younger patients. We suggest that the optimal dose for older patients is higher than 400 mg/day. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00055874}, language = {en} } @article{HoubenHesbacherSchmidetal.2011, author = {Houben, Roland and Hesbacher, Sonja and Schmid, Corinna P. and Kauczok, Claudia S. and Flohr, Ulrike and Haferkamp, Sebastian and M{\"u}ller, Cornelia S. L. and Schrama, David and Wischhusen, J{\"o}rg and Becker, J{\"u}rgen C.}, title = {High-Level Expression of Wild-Type p53 in Melanoma Cells is Frequently Associated with Inactivity in p53 Reporter Gene Assays}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-69012}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Inactivation of the p53 pathway that controls cell cycle progression, apoptosis and senescence, has been proposed to occur in virtually all human tumors and p53 is the protein most frequently mutated in human cancer. However, the mutational status of p53 in melanoma is still controversial; to clarify this notion we analysed the largest series of melanoma samples reported to date. Methodology/Principal Findings: Immunohistochemical analysis of more than 180 melanoma specimens demonstrated that high levels of p53 are expressed in the vast majority of cases. Subsequent sequencing of the p53 exons 5-8, however, revealed only in one case the presence of a mutation. Nevertheless, by means of two different p53 reporter constructs we demonstrate transcriptional inactivity of wild type p53 in 6 out of 10 melanoma cell lines; the 4 other p53 wild type melanoma cell lines exhibit p53 reporter gene activity, which can be blocked by shRNA knock down of p53. Conclusions/Significance: In melanomas expressing high levels of wild type p53 this tumor suppressor is frequently inactivated at transcriptional level.}, subject = {Krebs }, language = {en} } @article{ScheerSommervilleMueller1980, author = {Scheer, Ulrich and Sommerville, John and M{\"u}ller, Ulrike}, title = {DNA is assembled into globular supranucleosomal chromatin structures by nuclear contents of amphibian oocytes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-39671}, year = {1980}, abstract = {The assembly of DNA into nucleosomal and supranucleosomal chromatin structures has been studied (i) by injection of circular DNA molecules (plasmids) into nuclei of Pleurodeles waltlii oocytes; and (ii) by in vitro incubation of plasmid molecules with the supernatant fraction from oocyte nuclei of Pleurodeles and Xenopus laevis, followed by purification of nucleoprotein structures formed with sucrose gradient centrifugation. [n both types of experiments , spread preparations of the newly assembled and transcriptionally inactive chromatin , examined by electron microscopy , show dense globular higher order (supranucleosomal) packing forms. Under partially relaxing (low salt) preparation conditions granular chromatin subunits of about 30 nm diameter can be seen either as widely spaced particles or in closely packed aggregates. The transcriptionally inactive endogenous chromatin of chromomeres of lampbrush chromosomes is arranged in similar higher order chromatin units. A correlation is found between the sizes of the DN A molecule probes used and the numbers of nucleosomes and higher order globules in the assembled chromatin structures. After prolonged dispersion in low salt buffers , these globular chromatin units unfold into chains of7-12 nucleosomes. The results support the concept that chromatin is arranged , under physiological ion concentrations as they are present in the nucleus , in supranucleosomal units of globular morphology.}, language = {en} } @article{ZentgrafTrendelenburgSpringetal.1979, author = {Zentgraf, Hanswalter and Trendelenburg, Michael F. and Spring, Herbert and Scheer, Ulrich and Franke, Werner W. and M{\"u}ller, Ulrike and Drury, Kenneth C. and Rungger, Duri}, title = {Mitochondrial DNA arranged into chromatin-like structures after injection into amphibian oocyte nuclei}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-33174}, year = {1979}, abstract = {Purified mitochondrial DNA (mitDNA) from ovaries ofXenopus lae vis was injected into the nuclei (germinal vesicles) of large viteUogenic oocytes of the same organism and examined by electron microscopy ofthe spread nuclear contents. Normally located nuclei of untreated oocytes as weil as peripherally translocated nuclei of centrifuged oocytes were used. In addition, oocyte nuclei isolated and incubated under liquid paraffin oil were injected with DNA. The integrity oftranscriptional structures of endogenous chromosomal (Iampbrush chromosomes) and extrachromosomal (nucleoli) genes of the injected nuclei was demonstrated. Microinjected mitDN A was identified as circles of chromatin exhibiting polynucleosome-like organization and a me an contour length of 2.6 J.Lm, corresponding to a compaction ratio of the mitDN A of about 2 : I. This DNA packing ratio is similar to that observed after preparation of various kinds of native chromatin in low salt buffers. The chromatin circles formed from injected mitDNA only very rarely exhibited lateral fibrils suggestive of transcriptional activity. These results suggest that purified mitDNA can be transformed to normally structured chromatin when exposed to oocyte nuclear contents but is rarely , if at all , transcribed in this form and in this environment.}, language = {en} } @article{HanfsteinLausekerHehlmannetal.2014, author = {Hanfstein, Benjamin and Lauseker, Michael and Hehlmann, R{\"u}diger and Saussele, Susanne and Erben, Philipp and Dietz, Christian and Fabarius, Alice and Proetel, Ulrike and Schnittger, Susanne and Haferlach, Claudia and Krause, Stefan W. and Schubert, J{\"o}rg and Einsele, Hermann and H{\"a}nel, Mathias and Dengler, Jolanta and Falge, Christiane and Kanz, Lothar and Neubauer, Andreas and Kneba, Michael and Stengelmann, Frank and Pfreundschuh, Michael and Waller, Cornelius F. and Spiekerman, Karsten and Baerlocher, Gabriela M. and Pfirrmann, Markus and Hasford, Joerg and Hofmann, Wolf-Karsten and Hochhaus, Andreas and M{\"u}ller, Martin C.}, title = {Distinct characteristics of e13a2 versus e14a2 BCR-ABL1 driven chronic myeloid leukemia under first-line therapy with imatinib}, series = {Haematologica}, volume = {99}, journal = {Haematologica}, number = {9}, issn = {1592-8721}, doi = {10.3324/haematol.2013.096537}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-115476}, pages = {1441-1447}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The vast majority of chronic myeloid leukemia patients express a BCR-ABL1 fusion gene mRNA encoding a 210 kDa tyrosine kinase which promotes leukemic transformation. A possible differential impact of the corresponding BCR-ABL1 transcript variants e13a2 ("b2a2") and e14a2 ("b3a2") on disease phenotype and outcome is still a subject of debate. A total of 1105 newly diagnosed imatinib-treated patients were analyzed according to transcript type at diagnosis (e13a2, n=451; e14a2, n=496; e13a2+e14a2, n=158). No differences regarding age, sex, or Euro risk score were observed. A significant difference was found between e13a2 and e14a2 when comparing white blood cells (88 vs. 65 x 10(9)/L, respectively; P<0.001) and platelets (296 vs. 430 x 109/L, respectively; P<0.001) at diagnosis, indicating a distinct disease phenotype. No significant difference was observed regarding other hematologic features, including spleen size and hematologic adverse events, during imatinib-based therapies. Cumulative molecular response was inferior in e13a2 patients (P=0.002 for major molecular response; P<0.001 for MR4). No difference was observed with regard to cytogenetic response and overall survival. In conclusion, e13a2 and e14a2 chronic myeloid leukemia seem to represent distinct biological entities. However, clinical outcome under imatinib treatment was comparable and no risk prediction can be made according to e13a2 versus e14a2 BCR-ABL1 transcript type at diagnosis. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 00055874)}, language = {en} } @article{BartmannFischerHuebneretal.2021, author = {Bartmann, Catharina and Fischer, Leah-Maria and H{\"u}bner, Theresa and M{\"u}ller-Reiter, Max and W{\"o}ckel, Achim and McNeill, Rhiannon V. and Schlaiss, Tanja and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike and Diessner, Joachim}, title = {The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological stress in breast cancer patients}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-021-09012-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265802}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: The majority of breast cancer patients are severely psychologically affected by breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on public life have additionally caused significant psychological distress for much of the population. It is therefore plausible that breast cancer patients might be particularly susceptible to the additional psychological stress caused by the pandemic, increasing suffering. In this study we therefore aimed to assess the level of psychological distress currently experienced by a defined group of breast cancer patients in our breast cancer centre, compared to distress levels preCOVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Female breast cancer patients of all ages receiving either adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative therapies were recruited for the study. All patients were screened for current or previous COVID-19 infection. The participants completed a self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, the Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (R) (NCCN (R)) Distress Thermometer (DT), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30, and the BR23. Results: Eighty-two breast cancer patients were included. Therapy status and social demographic factors did not have a significant effect on the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the DT pre and during COVID-19 pandemic did not differ significantly. Using the self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, we detected three distinct subgroups demonstrating different levels of concerns in relation to SARS-CoV-2. The subgroup with the highest levels of concern reported significantly decreased life quality, related parameters and symptoms. Conclusions: This monocentric study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected psychological health in a subpopulation of breast cancer patients. The application of a self-created "COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire"could potentially be used to help identify breast cancer patients who are susceptible to increased psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore may need additional intensive psychological support.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinHesslingMuhammadKleinetal.2017, author = {Klein-Hessling, Stefan and Muhammad, Khalid and Klein, Matthias and Pusch, Tobias and Rudolf, Ronald and Fl{\"o}ter, Jessica and Qureischi, Musga and Beilhack, Andreas and Vaeth, Martin and Kummerow, Carsten and Backes, Christian and Schoppmeyer, Rouven and Hahn, Ulrike and Hoth, Markus and Bopp, Tobias and Berberich-Siebelt, Friederike and Patra, Amiya and Avots, Andris and M{\"u}ller, Nora and Schulze, Almut and Serfling, Edgar}, title = {NFATc1 controls the cytotoxicity of CD8\(^{+}\) T cells}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {511}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-017-00612-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170353}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are effector CD8\(^{+}\) T cells that eradicate infected and malignant cells. Here we show that the transcription factor NFATc1 controls the cytotoxicity of mouse cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Activation of Nfatc1\(^{-/-}\) cytotoxic T lymphocytes showed a defective cytoskeleton organization and recruitment of cytosolic organelles to immunological synapses. These cells have reduced cytotoxicity against tumor cells, and mice with NFATc1-deficient T cells are defective in controlling Listeria infection. Transcriptome analysis shows diminished RNA levels of numerous genes in Nfatc1\(^{-/-}\) CD8\(^{+}\) T cells, including Tbx21, Gzmb and genes encoding cytokines and chemokines, and genes controlling glycolysis. Nfatc1\(^{-/-}\), but not Nfatc2\(^{-/-}\) CD8\(^{+}\) T cells have an impaired metabolic switch to glycolysis, which can be restored by IL-2. Genome-wide ChIP-seq shows that NFATc1 binds many genes that control cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Together these data indicate that NFATc1 is an important regulator of cytotoxic T lymphocyte effector functions.}, language = {en} } @article{SausseleHehlmannFabariusetal.2018, author = {Saussele, Susanne and Hehlmann, Ruediger and Fabarius, Alice and Jeromin, Sabine and Proetel, Ulrike and Rinaldetti, Sebastien and Kohlbrenner, Katharina and Einsele, Hermann and Falge, Christine and Kanz, Lothar and Neubauer, Andreas and Kneba, Michael and Stegelmann, Frank and Pfreundschuh, Michael and Waller, Cornelius F. and Oppliger Leibundgut, Elisabeth and Heim, Dominik and Krause, Stefan W. and Hofmann, Wolf-Karsten and Hasford, Joerg and Pfirrmann, Markus and M{\"u}ller, Martin C. and Hochhaus, Andreas and Lauseker, Michael}, title = {Defining therapy goals for major molecular remission in chronic myeloid leukemia: results of the randomized CML Study IV}, series = {Leukemia}, volume = {32}, journal = {Leukemia}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1038/s41375-018-0055-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227528}, pages = {1222-1228}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Major molecular remission (MMR) is an important therapy goal in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). So far, MMR is not a failure criterion according to ELN management recommendation leading to uncertainties when to change therapy in CML patients not reaching MMR after 12 months. At monthly landmarks, for different molecular remission status Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated for patients registered to CML study IV who were divided in a learning and a validation sample. The minimum HR for MMR was found at 2.5 years with 0.28 (compared to patients without remission). In the validation sample, a significant advantage for progression-free survival (PFS) for patients in MMR could be detected (p-value 0.007). The optimal time to predict PFS in patients with MMR could be validated in an independent sample at 2.5 years. With our model we provide a suggestion when to define lack of MMR as therapy failure and thus treatment change should be considered. The optimal response time for 1\% BCR-ABL at about 12-15 months was confirmed and for deep molecular remission no specific time point was detected. Nevertheless, it was demonstrated that the earlier the MMR is achieved the higher is the chance to attain deep molecular response later.}, language = {en} } @article{HanitschBaumannBoztugetal.2020, author = {Hanitsch, Leif and Baumann, Ulrich and Boztug, Kaan and Burkhard-Meier, Ulrike and Fasshauer, Maria and Habermehl, Pirmin and Hauck, Fabian and Klock, Gerd and Liese, Johannes and Meyer, Oliver and M{\"u}ller, Rainer and Pachlopnik-Schmid, Jana and Pfeiffer-Kascha, Dorothea and Warnatz, Klaus and Wehr, Claudia and Wittke, Kirsten and Niehues, Tim and von Bernuth, Horst}, title = {Treatment and management of primary antibody deficiency: German interdisciplinary evidence-based consensus guideline}, series = {European Journal of Immunology}, volume = {50}, journal = {European Journal of Immunology}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/eji.202048713}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-225731}, pages = {1432 -- 1446}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This evidence-based clinical guideline provides consensus-recommendations for the treatment and care of patients with primary antibody deficiencies (PADs). The guideline group comprised 20 clinical and scientific expert associations of the German, Swiss, and Austrian healthcare system and representatives of patients. Recommendations were based on results of a systematic literature search, data extraction, and evaluation of methodology and study quality in combination with the clinical expertise of the respective representatives. Consensus-based recommendations were determined via nominal group technique. PADs are the largest clinically relevant group of primary immunodeficiencies. Most patients with PADs present with increased susceptibility to infections, however immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, and cancer affect a significant number of patients and may precede infections. This guideline therefore covers interdisciplinary clinical and therapeutic aspects of infectious (e.g., antibiotic prophylaxis, management of bronchiectasis) and non-infectious manifestations (e.g., management of granulomatous disease, immune cytopenia). PADs are grouped into disease entities with definitive, probable, possible, or unlikely benefit of IgG-replacement therapy. Summary and consensus-recommendations are provided for treatment indication, dosing, routes of administration, and adverse events of IgG-replacement therapy. Special aspects of concomitant impaired T-cell function are highlighted as well as clinical data on selected monogenetic inborn errors of immunity formerly classified into PADs (APDS, CTLA-4-, and LRBA-deficiency).}, language = {en} }