Ulrike Ronse
Doctoral fellow – SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, UGent
Principal investigator: prof. Matthias D'hooghe (PhD)
Research focus
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. In 2020, MM accounted for up to 30,500 deaths in Europa. In addition, current MM therapy has a five-year survival rate of only ~50% and evokes many adverse side effects.
Synthetic glucocorticoids, for example dexamethasone and prednisolone, are essential drugs in MM treatment as they induce apoptosis of the malignant myeloma cells by activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Despite significant advances in myeloma treatment, glucocorticoids remain an important pillar of the myeloma treatment protocol as they are still used in all treatment stages. Yet, treatment with high doses cause adverse side effects and GC-resistance in the long run, which severely hampers the patients’ quality of life. Thus, it is crucial to develop more safe and efficient glucocorticoid-based treatment strategies. In this regard, we aim to circumvent the existing issues associated with GC-based MM therapies, as well as to improve the GC efficacy by targeting a recently discovered alternative mode of action involving the glucocorticoid receptor. Developing these novel therapeutic compounds will be supported by the expertise of two labs (prof. K. De Bosscher: MM biology and prof. M. D’hooghe: organic synthesis).
Contact & links
- Lab address: SynBioC Research Group, B Building, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent
- SynBioC Research Group