Projects
HARNESS PROJECT
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer treatment strategies. A number of previously untreatable (metastatic) cancers became treatable by (re)activating the anti-tumor immune response. Surprisingly, the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the success rate of ICI therapy in cancer patients, showing the crosstalk between the immune system and the bacteria within the intestinal tract. Unfortunately, ICI therapy is not effective for all cancer patients and can result in (severe) toxicity. Research shows that certain bacteria can enhance ICI therapy response but can also drive intestinal inflammation and thereby toxicity. In this project we aim to uncover intestinal bacteria that impact ICI therapy response and toxicity and subsequently unravel the underlying mechanisms. Ultimately this will provide a rationale for microbiota-targeted therapy to optimize the effectiveness of ICI therapy in cancer patients.
In collaboration with: UNICIT cohort & MicroViable Therapeutics
MISTAR PROJECT
More information coming soon
Collaborations
UNICIT COHORT
The UNICIT (UNraveling Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor induced Toxicity) biobank study, led by dr. Suijkerbuijk, collects human samples to investigate toxicity during immunotherapy treatment in cancer patients. Blood and fecal samples are collected from cancer patients who (will) receive immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Samples are collected from patients with different types of cancer, including melanoma and colon, lung and renal carcinoma.
It remains unclear why certain patients develop (severe) toxicity due to the ICI therapy. These toxic events can range from a mild skin rash, to sever colitis. Therefore, the UNICIT samples are essential to elucidate why patients develop toxicity during ICI treatment.
Interesting Reads
Pharmacological targeting of the cancer epigenome
MICROVIABLE THERAPEUTICS
MicroViable Therapeutics specializes in microbiota collection, analysis and storage, and the development of microbiome-based therapies to improve human health. We collaborate with MicroViable Therapeutics on the HARNESS project, in which we use the GutAlive® system for culturomics approaches.
Interesting Reads
Filling the gap between collection, transport and storage of the human gut microbiota
WINCLOVE PROBIOTICS
more information coming soon!