The paper identifies iDegs, which enhance IDO1 degradation via the native CRL2KLHDC3 pathway, reducing kynurenine formation and offering new therapeutic potential for cancer.

Nature Chemistry · Jan 7, 2026Peer-reviewedCell Biology

Overcoming Ligand Discovery Challenges: Developing Peptide-Based Tracers for SPSB2

Christopher Lenz, Lewis Elson, Johannes Dopfer, Frederic Farges, Andreas Krämer, Frank Löhr, Susanne Müller, Stéphanie M. Guéret, Herbert Waldmann, Volker Dötsch, Krishna Saxena, Stefan Knapp

This study develops peptide-based tracers for SPSB2 E3 ligase by conjugating cell-penetrating peptides to degrons, enabling efficient cellular delivery and target engagement assessment.

ACS Chemical Biology · Dec 8, 2025Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

Identification of small molecule enhancers of NK cell tumoricidal activity via a tumor microenvironment-mimicking co-culture assay

Aylin Binici, Elisabeth Hennes, Sandra Koska, Jens Alexander Niemann, Alisa Reich, Christiane Pfaff, Sonja Sievers, Astrid Stefanie Kahnt, Dominique Thomas, Slava Ziegler, Carsten Watzl, Herbert Waldmann

The paper identifies small molecules that enhance NK cell tumoricidal activity by counteracting immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment using a co-culture assay.

Chemistry - A European Journal · Feb 11, 2025Peer-reviewedImmunology