This project builds on preliminary data obtained in an earlier ‘high-risk’ KWF funded project. In that project Saskia Nugteren developed several antibody-based tools which enable a much more efficient antibody mediated complement activation and killing of tumor cells. Importantly the developed technology had excellent specificity enhancing complement activation only on tumor cells and not on bystander cells.
In the new and larger KWF grant, 2 colleagues can be employed to work on further optimizing this strategy, making new compounds that will enhance complement activation even further and make such tools available for a variety of tumors. The aim is that with the optimized tools we will achieve killing of all tumor cells, to avoid escape of tumor sub-clones and to translate the findings towards the patients.
We are grateful for the KWF to support this exciting research line and especially the volunteers that have collected the KWF funds through the Alpe d'HuZes sponsor program and have been biking on this famous mountain.