Translational Research in Immuno-oncology and Microbiome (TRIM)

Immunotherapy led to a paradigm change of systemic tumor therapy. Many patients now benefit from improved survival and sometimes cure. However, there is urgent need to further improve immunotherapy, as a majority of patients will progress despite treatment. Recent preclinical translational and clinical studies demonstrate that the patient's (gut) microbiome is a major determinant of response to immunotherapy and highlight the potential of microbiome intervention in immuno-oncology.

In our team, we actively integrate translational data, functional assays and preclinical models, to understand and overcome mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, with a focus in gut-related subversion of anti-tumor immunity. By leveraging this knowledge, we aim to find biomarkers, patient stratification and innovative treatment combinations.

Our research group, is embedded in a multidisciplinary team with close connection to the clinic and a bioinformatics team.

Future outlook: We will continue our efforts to improve the understanding of tumor-microbiome-host interactions with a focus on T cell- and tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance in Immuno-Oncology. Our ultimate goal is to bring microbiome-based personalized I-O to patients.