The immune system: the force within that can cure cancer
About this Theme
Immunotherapy has been a breakthrough in the treatment of patients with aggressive skin cancer (melanoma), lung tumors and fast growing cancers that are derived from white blood cells. Nonetheless, many cancer types remain difficult to treat because of intense crosstalk between the tumor and the immune system, which ultimately leads to suppression of the immune system that hampers an effective anti-tumor response.
The Cancer Immunology theme aims to improve the understanding of how the immune system interacts with cancer, by monitoring the immune system of patients, and investigating the immune suppressive mechanisms underlying tumor immune escape. The theme also aims to find novel biomarkers to identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy, as well as discover and develop innovative therapeutic strategies that overcome immune escape. Altogether, the research performed within the Cancer Immunology theme will advance the understanding and the clinical benefit of cancer immunotherapy.
Key strengths
The theme Cancer Immunology encompasses a broad representation of the field. Solid tumors and hematopoietic cancers are investigated by multidisciplinary teams with strong (inter)national collaborations. To ensure scientific and societal impact fundamental research is translated into clinical applications. Vice versa, clinical findings are further investigated in the lab to unravel underlying mechanisms, with the aid of state-of-the art core facilities.
Research lines
Research lines of the Cancer Immunology theme comprise of:
- Immunotherapy (e.g. engineered bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs), CAR-T cells, dendritic cell-targeted vaccination, local immune modulation and engineered antibodies)
- Immune monitoring, biomarkers
- Cancer and autoimmunity
- Immune metabolism
- Tumor microenvironment
- Immune suppression
Theme Leader
Theme Committee
Principal Investigators
- Prof. Jouke Annema
- Dr. Rubina Baglio
- Prof. Victor van Beusechem
- Dr. Adriaan Bins
- Prof. Ruud Brakenhoff
- Prof. Jacqueline Cloos
- Dr. Sarah Derks
- Prof. Niels van de Donk
- Dr. Jan Willem Duitman
- Dr. Juan Garcia-Vallejo
- Prof. Sue Gibbs
- Dr. Pim de Graaf
- Prof. Arjan Griffioen
- Dr. Joke den Haan
- Prof. Mette Hazenberg
- Dr. Esther Hulleman
- Prof. Daphne de Jong
- Prof. Geert Kazemier
- Prof. Marie Jose Kersten
- Dr. Heinz-Josef Klümpen
- Prof. Yvette van Kooyk
- Dr. Jan Koster
- Prof. René Leemans
- Prof. Arjan van de Loosdrecht
- Prof. Reina Mebius
- Prof. Jaap Middeldorp
- Prof. Tuna Mutis
- Dr. David Noske
- Dr. Daniela Oprea-Lager
- PostdocTom Seijkens
- Prof. Suresh Senan
- Dr. Arnold Spek
- Prof. Hergen Spits
- Prof. Renske Steenbergen
- Prof. Noortje Swart
- Dr. Victor Thijssen
- Dr. Sanne Tonino
- Prof. Henk Verheul
- Prof. Marc van de Vijver
- Dr. Sandra van Vliet
- Prof. Hans van der Vliet
- Dr. Carlijn Voermans
- Dr. Danielle Vugts
- Prof. Pieter Wesseling
- Dr. Monika Wolkers
- Prof. Tom Wurdinger
- Prof. Bauke Ylstra
- Prof. Sonja Zweegman