Role of the Nemo-like kinase in antitumor immunity

T cells are an important branch of the adaptive immune system that can fight pathogens but also attack tumour cells. This ability has led to the development of T cell-based immunotherapies against cancer. One obstacle to the widespread success of such therapies is a phenomenon known as T cell exhaustion. In this state, T cells have reduced effector functions, which limits their ability to efficiently attack tumour cells. It is therefore of great clinical relevance to gain insight into the "T cell exhaustion programme" at the molecular level. The central question is: How can T cell exhaustion be prevented during anti-tumour immunity? In this context, we have experimental evidence that nemo-like kinase (NLK) plays an important role in the prevention of T-cell exhaustion. Based on these results, the main research topic of the FWF project will be NLK-mediated signalling in T cells, with a particular focus on the loss of T cell functions during antitumour immunity.