Projects
The role of the IRE-Â1/XBP-Â1 axis in NK cell mediated anti-Âtumor immunology Ghent University
This project aims to identify the role of the unfolded protein response in NK cell homeostasis and functioning. More specifically, we will address the function of the IRE-Â1/XBP-Â1 axis in NK cell mediated anti-Âtumor responses in vivo. This research question is highly novel and will lead to a better understanding of NK cellbiology, which is highly relevant for cancer immunotherapy.
Next-generation immune biomarkers to improve clinical immunotherapy options for pediatric and adult patients with glioblastoma: a multi-omics, translational immunology and artificial intelligence-driven approach KU Leuven
The aim of this project is to present a clinically useful research protocol at the end of the 4 years that will use scientifically validated biomarkers to identify the most appropriate (combinations of) immunotherapies in a personalized way for every brain tumor patient, pediatric and adult. to select a clinical trial. To achieve this biomarker-based selection, combinations of the most advanced molecular cell biological research methods and ...
Decoding tumor antigens: dendritic cell maturation within the tumor environment Ghent University
How tumor antigens are being perceived by dendritic cells (DCs) determines whether the tumor will
be tolerated or rejected by our immune system. Over the past years, immune checkpoint blockade
therapy (ICB) has revolutionized cancer therapy by removing so-called checkpoints that prevent our
immune system from properly functioning against the tumor cells. Although ICB showed high
potential in some patients, many ...
Tackling tumor immunosuppression by reprograming eicosanoid metabolism and signaling in the tumor microenvironment KU Leuven
Despite numerous advances achieved in cancer treatment, the prognosis for patients with liver malignancies still remains poor. Indeed, one of the three most common causes of cancer-related death is represented by liver cancer, accounting for around 1 million deaths per year, to which one has to add all the deaths due to metastasis in the liver – the preferred niche of many tumor types, including melanoma. The liver is a complex organ that ...
Quantifying tumor heterogeneity in lung cancer: novel insights from non-invasive imaging techniques. Hasselt University
CRYPTIC TRANSCRIPTS: THE MASKED HEROES WHO BREAK TUMOR IMMUNE TOLERANCE AND FREE THE RESPONSE TO IMMUNE THERAPY. KU Leuven
In the last years, immunotherapy revolutionized cancer treatment in terms of quality of life and life years saved. Immune-checkpoint blockage (ICB) therapy, like anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy, blocks the inhibitory interaction between immune-checkpoint ligands on the tumor and their receptors on T-cells (or vice versa). Despite the ground-breaking clinical success, ICB therapy responses are variable and unpredictable, ...
Enhancing tumor cell susceptibility towards natural killer cell and dendritic cell-mediated activity in the context of cancer immunotherapy University of Antwerp
Patient-friendly tumor sampling for the design, and reduction of the production time of a neoepitope dendritic cell vaccine for patients presenting with inoperable non small cell lung carcinoma (NEO4LUNG) Ghent University
Previously, we set up a clinical study in lung cancer patients and are currently acquiring the last follow-up data of all treated patients. In this study, patients undergoing surgery with curative intent (stage I and II), were treated with increasing dose of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) electroporated with patient-specific in vitro transcribed RNA (IVT-RNA) encoding 4-6 neoantigens. These neoantigens were selected based on information ...
Understanding glutamate metabolism in the tumor microenvironment to tackle Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) resistance KU Leuven
Despite the recent advancement in cancer treatment, this disease still remains a major medical burden. The most recent therapies aim to reactivate the patient's immune system to recognize and fight the cancer cells. Such therapies have been proven extremely effective leading to strong remission, but a significant proportion of patients show resistance to such approaches and cannot profit from such an advanced medical care. In this proposal we ...