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Research Project
Effect of chemoradiotherapy on the immunopeptidome of HPV16-positive cervical and head and neck cancer cell lines
High-risk types of HPV, most prominently HPV16, cause anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. For both advanced cervix carcinoma (CxCa) and head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients first-line standard-of-care is chemoradiotherapy; yet, patients with HPV-positive diagnosis have a more favourable prognosis than patients with HPV-independent cancer, and reports show that chemoradiotherapy has an immunomodulatory effect. By in vitro mimicking the treatment regimens applied in the clinic, we aim to assess chemoradiotherapy effects on the HLA-presentation of HPV16 epitopes and possible mutation-derived neoepitopes. Insights gained into the effect of chemoradiation on the immunopeptidome of treated CxCa and HNSCC will be one aspect of the design and implementation strategy of an effective therapeutic HPV vaccine.
Scientific CV
Since July 2020
PhD student, Immunotherapy and Immunoprevention, DKFZ, Heidelberg
Mar 2018 - Dec 2018
Master´s thesis research at University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Aug 2017 - Jan 2018
Erasmus exchange to Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
2016 - 2019
MSc Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
2012 - 2016
BSc Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Croatia