Projects
The development of a robust and safe anticancer therapy based on TNF and interferon Ghent University
The anticancer activity of a TNF and IFNg combination is well known, but the toxicity of the treatment is problematic. In this project, we investigate if we can find a solution to this dilemma.
Uncoupling beneficial from deleterious outcomes derived from Wnt/beta-catenin activation in stem cells for new strategies in anticancer therapy and regenerative medicine. KU Leuven
Oncocidia_the novel anticancer therapy: phase 0 clinical study. KU Leuven
Cancer residue, common after current therapies, remains a culprit for recurrence and patient death. To solve this problem, the group of Prof. Y. Ni at KU Leuven has developed a new dual targeting anticancer strategy, called Oncocidia. It is based on the subsequent injection of two compounds – a vascular disruptive agent and a radiolabeled necrosis-avid compound- which have a highly synergistic effect. The therapy has been extensively tested ...
Generation of tumor neoantigens with photodynamic therapy: a new strategy for anticancer vaccines to fight head and neck cancer Ghent University
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a regulated cell death that stimulates the immune responses resulting in the establishment of longterm immunological memory. ICD alert the immune system by tumor-associated antigens and tumor neoantigens (i.e., antigenicity) and releasing immunostimulant mediators such as the damage- associated molecular patterns (DAMPs, adjuvanticity). ICD can be efficiently induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Our key ...
iKap: Targeting nucleocytoplasmic transport for novel anti-cancer therapy. KU Leuven
The main goal of this project is the identification and validation of new anti-cancer targets in the nucleocytic transport system of the cell and the development of new small molecule modulators of this process as innovative cancer therapies.
Identification of anti-FOLR1 VHHs as novel candidates for FOLR1-targeted (brain) tumor imaging and anti-cancer therapy. Ghent University
Proliferating tissues, including several breast tumors, harbor increased folate requirement and thereby often show high folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) expression while FOLR1 expression is restricted in most healthy tissues. Breast cancer is the second most common solid malignancy that metastasizes to the brain. Reaching the brain with therapeutics appears to be extremely challenging due to the presence of brain barriers. Interestingly, the host ...
Development of a novel class of Exportin 1 (XPO1/CRM1) inhibitors for anti-cancer therapy KU Leuven
Nuclear-cytoplasmic transport is essential for maintaining proper cellular homeostasis since it regulates the movement of large molecules (RNA and proteins) between the cytoplasm and the nucleus in a eukaryotic cells. Exportin 1 (XPO1 or CRM1) is the best characterised nuclear exporter and is responsible for the transport of a large number of different cargo proteins (e.g. p21, BCRA1, BCR-ABL and p53) to the cytoplasm. The correct ...
Multivalent dual-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for targeted anti-cancer therapy Ghent University
In this project we aim to develop a formulation that selectively delivers anti-cancer drugs to cancer cells while minimizing unwanted toxicity to healthy tissue. For this purpose we will encapsulate hydrophobic anti-cancer agents in polymeric nanoparticles thate are engineered with (1) targeting ligands to selectively bind to cancer cells and (2) stimuli-responsive properties to release their drug payload only after cellular uptake.