Antibody therapy
Complement, Fc receptors, Immunoglobulins
Research aim
In our research, we aim to understand antibodies in all aspects, from fundamental research to therapeutic applications including their mode of action, e.g. Fc receptors and complement, for cancer, auto immunity and infectious diseases.
About us
In our research group, we aim to unravel the intricacies of antibodies and their potential in cancer, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, with 4 questions:
1) How can we activate myeloid cells via the CD89/IgA receptor to kill cancer cells? We have engineered IgA to a clinical level, and investigate bispecific antibodies and combinations with checkpoint inhibitors to optimally activate neutrophils and macrophages.
2) How can we target CD64 of the high affinity receptor for IgG to tackle auto immune disease and cancer? We aimed to understand the biology of CD64, and developed a unique set of antibodies to investigate this question in vitro and preclinical models and with patient’s material.
3) How can we target complement in neuropathies and auto immune diseases? By addressing C2 as a novel target at the intersection of the complement and lectin pathways of the complement cascade, we can treat a number of autoimmune inflammatory diseases and ischemia-reperfusion conditions.
4) How can we better understand the benefit of human milk? With the PRIMA cohort, we collected 1000 human milk samples on 4 different time points, to investigate antibodies and other components, and their impact on infectious disease in the first years of life.
Partners in academia: UMCU, UU, PMC, LUMC, MUMC and the University of Oslo and Kiel. WIth industry: Argenx, Merus, Genmab, Nutricia and TigaTx, to drive innovation and expedite the translation of our research into clinical benefits.