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In our research, we focus on the immunotherapy of cervical cancer and liver cirrhosis or -cancer induced by chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The central aim of these strategies is to induce a strong cellular immune response against the tumor involved.
  • For cervical cancer, the tumor antigens aimed for are the E6 and E7 proteins of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus involved in the development of this type of cancer.
  • For liver cancer and cirrhosis, we aim at the induction of an HCV-specific immune response.

Several approaches are being pursued including genetic immunization with recombinant viral vectors based on Semliki Forest virus, immune checkpoint inhibitors and approaches to re-modulate the immunosuppressive tumor environment. We furthermore focus on methods to identify HLA-bound antigenic peptides to generate personalized cancer vaccines.

Contact

Toos Daemen
Toos Daemen Medical Microbiologist

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention
P.O. Box 30.001
9700 RB Groningen
The Netherlands

Visiting address
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention
Hanzeplein 1
9713 GZ Groningen
The Netherlands