VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artifical intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture. Learn more at www.vib.be.

VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five...

What causes cancer and how can we find better ways to treat it?

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt samen met de vijf Vlaamse universiteiten en diverse partners in de biotechsector en doet onderzoek in plantenbiologie, kanker, neurowetenschap, microbiologie, ontstekingsziekten, artificiële intelligentie en meer. VIB verbindt wetenschap met ondernemerschap en stimuleert zo de groei van de Vlaamse biotech. Het instituut draagt bij aan oplossingen voor maatschappelijke uitdagingen, zoals nieuwe methoden voor diagnose en behandeling en landbouwinnovaties. Meer info op www.vib.be. 

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt...

Joran Lauwers

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Targeting mesenchymal-like melanoma cells could instigate immunotherapy response

Researchers map cell composition of metastatic melanoma and identify cause of immunotherapy resistance

Leuven, 9 January 2023 – A group of researchers, led by Professor Jean-Christophe Marine at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, and Medical Oncologist Professor Oliver Bechter from UZ Leuven developed a potential new strategy to enable immunotherapy in melanoma patients who currently do not respond to it properly. Using advanced single-cell technologies, they found a specific group of cancer cells that confers resistance to immunotherapy. The team then created a treatment strategy to get rid of these cells, significantly boosting the effectiveness of immunotherapy in preclinical models. The findings of this research have just been published in Cell.

Researchers discover that disabling autophagy in Tumor Endothelial Cells, inflames them and leads to a better immune response

Disabling autophagy can enhance immune response in melanoma 

28 November 2023 – Researchers at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology have gained unprecedented insights into the immunosuppressive role of autophagy in tumor endothelial cells (TEC). The team, led by Professor Patrizia Agostinis, found that inhibiting autophagy in the endothelial cells lining tumor blood vessels can inflame them and evoke an antitumor immune response. This could provide an additional strategy to help sensitize patients to immunotherapy. The results of this research were published in the prestigious scientific journal EMBO Molecular Medicine

Fucosylation – the addition of a fucose sugar to a molecule – has been identified as the driving force behind unbalanced Treg behavior in tumor microenvironment

Researchers discover cause of immunosuppressive behavior of regulatory T cells in cancer

Leuven, 13 November 2023 — A research team led by Professor Massimiliano Mazzone at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology discovered a biological process responsible for unbalancing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cancer. A research paper published in Cancer Immunology Research, details how the researchers found a metabolic switch that turns down the immune response of T cells against cancer cells, leading to a worse prognosis. The team also succeeded in preventing this process, increasing the effectiveness of the patient’s own immune system against cancer cells.

Tracer metabolomics reveals the role of aldose reductase in glycosylation

New research shows insights into devastating metabolic disease

Leuven, June 5 – The VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Research, Greenwood Genetic Center (South Carolina, US), Mayo Clinic (Minnesota, US), and the University of Missouri (Missouri, US) joined forces to tackle the challenges of treating patients with a metabolic disorder known as PMM2-congenital disorder of glycosylation (PMM2-CDG). By unraveling the molecular mechanisms driving this disease, the researchers were able to leverage existing diabetes medication to improve patients’ quality of life. Their work has been published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

New mouse model bridges 10-20 years of development of DCIS into breast cancer within one year

Precursor of breast cancer or not?

An international team of researchers led by the Netherlands Cancer Institute and in collaboration with Colinda Scheele (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) developed a method to better predict the outgrowth of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), a possible precursor of breast cancer, into invasive breast cancer. Using mice into which cells from women with DCIS were inserted, researchers can better identify which DCIS patients are at risk for breast cancer.

TRAIL proteins function as gatekeepers for vascular barrier integrity and blocks entry of cancer cells to metastatic sites

Reinforcing endothelial TRAIL protects against cancer metastasis

Leuven, 23 March 2023 – Researchers from the lab of Prof. Max Mazzone (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) have discovered that the family of TRAIL proteins in the endothelium plays a role in metastasis. Moreover, researchers demonstrated that counteracting TRAIL receptor DR5 in endothelial cells and promoting exogenous expression of TRAIL via mRNA technology can protect against breast cancer metastasis. The discovery is an important step toward the future development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent cancer metastasis.

Palmitate can initiate a series of signals in cancer cells that equip them to grow into metastases.

Fat creates an ideal environment for metastatic breast tumors

Ghent/Leuven, January 2023 – A research group led by Prof. Sarah-Maria Fendt and Dr. Patricia Altea-Manzano from the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology has uncovered that frequent metastatic sites, such as the lung and liver, are enriched in lipids. The building blocks of lipids, more specifically the fatty acid palmitate, can initiate a series of signals in cancer cells that equip them to grow into metastases. The availability of palmitate further increases with a high-fat diet. This discovery further illustrates the importance of diet for cancer progression.

Inhibiting the bicarbonate transporter SLC4A4 in pancreatic cancer cells promotes an immune reaction and supports immunotherapy effectiveness.

Targeting acidity: a new approach to tackle pancreatic cancer

A type of pancreatic cancer known as pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers. So far, immunotherapy treatment doesn’t work. Research by the team of Prof. Massimiliano Mazzone (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology), KU Leuven, University Hospital Leuven, and international colleagues identified a new therapeutic target that overcomes immunosuppression and immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer by changing the acidity of the tumor micro-environment. Their work appears in Nature Cancer.

Therapeutic induction of High-Endothelial Venules (HEV) can augment lymphocyte infiltration and contributes to tumor growth inhibition

VIB researchers identify a new way of supporting and sensitizing immunotherapy in cancer patients

Ghent/Leuven, 24 November 2022 – Using single-cell transcriptomics, endothelial fate mapping, and functional multiplex immune profiling, the research team led by Gabriele Bergers (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) has discovered a way to increase lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. By inducing High-Endothelial Venules, the team spearheaded by graduate students Gerlanda Vella and Yichao Hua, was able to transform the protective barrier formed by the tumor vasculature and bypass its defenses against immune cells. The discovery is a big step forward in using novel strategies to increase patient responsiveness to immune therapy.

VIB researchers uncover a metabolic switch that allows immune cells to enhance their protective function.

Enhancing the way immune cells respond to a threat

Immune cells protect our body against external (bacteria, viruses) and internal (cancer) threats. Among these cells, cytotoxic— or killer—T cells can rapidly activate to attack the infected or cancerous cells. They also acquire a long-term memory that helps them fight recurring infections or tumors. In each of these different stages, T cells rely on different nutrients—in other words, their metabolism changes. The team of Prof. Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) identified a metabolic switch that allows these T cells to enhance their protective function. Their work appears in Cell Reports.

New discoveries open new avenues for the prevention of early tumor growth and metastatic dissemination

Researchers identify which cancer cell subpopulations cause tumor growth and metastasis

Ghent/Leuven, 22 September 2022 – Researchers from the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology have discovered which cancer subpopulations are responsible for the growth of tumors and subsequent metastasis in melanoma using cutting-edge technology at single cell resolution. A paper published in Nature by Jean-Christophe Marine and his colleagues from the Marine Lab shows for the first time, that the proximity of endothelial cells acts as a catalyst for cancer cells in their ability to stimulate tumor growth. Moreover, using spatial imaging technologies, the team was able to identify a rare type of cancer cells that lies at the basis of metastatic dissemination, providing new targets for the prevention of metastasis.

Training our immune system to recognize and attack tumors – immunotherapy – holds great promise for cancer therapy. New research by scientists from VIB, VUB, UGent, KU Leuven, and international partner Roche now shows why some patients don’t respond to immunotherapy. By clarifying the role of different cell types involved in the immune system’s response, this work by the team of Prof. Damya Laoui is an important step toward personalized treatment for cancer patients and is published in Cancer Research.

Refining immunotherapy: a story of different cell types

The many cells of our immune system constantly patrol our body to take care of intruders, but sometimes the danger comes from within. This is what happens in cancer. Our body’s own cells revolt and form tumors. One of the tricks these cells and tumors use is hiding from the immune system.

Cancer Biology