Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that primarily affects young adults. While treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective, they frequently cause long-term health issues. Patients often experience damage to the heart and lungs, reduced fertility, and, in some cases, develop secondary cancers. Diepstra and his team are dedicated to finding a more targeted and less harmful approach.
The research focuses on a unique aspect of Hodgkin lymphoma biology. Tumour cells have the ability to “trick” immune cells, specifically CD4 T-cells, into supporting the tumour’s growth rather than fighting it. Diepstra’s team aims to uncover how this manipulation occurs and develop therapies that block these interactions. By disrupting the tumour’s ability to mislead immune cells, they hope to destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues.
Using advanced molecular technologies, such as single-cell analysis and spatial transcriptomics, the researchers will study how tumour cells and immune cells interact and communicate within the body. With this knowledge, they will design and test new therapies in the lab that specifically target these harmful interactions.
The ultimate goal of the project is to create treatments that are as effective as chemotherapy and radiation therapy but without their severe side effects. If the lab results are promising, the therapies will advance to clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy in patients.
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