Our group at the Phagocyte Laboratory (Sanquin Research) of the Landsteiner Laboratory is interested in antibody immunotherapy against cancer. The major aim is to improve treatment of cancer patients with therapeutic antibodies in order to reduce the need for non-specific agents, such as chemotherapeutics. We have identified CD47-SIRPalpha interactions as an innate immune checkpoint during antibody therapy in cancer. Work is ongoing to explore the mechanisms of antibody-dependent cancer cell destruction by human innate immune cells and the ways in which this can be further improved. We are also interested in the role of innate immune cells in other diseases, including primary immunodeficiencies. In that context the Phagocyte Laboratory also provides a specialized diagnostic service for phagocyte functional and genetic defects.

Please also see our webpage of the laboratory of Blood Cell Research at Sanquin:

http://www.sanquin.nl/en/research/principal-investigators/pi-timo-vanden-berg/