Jeroen Heuts

Research

The focus of my PhD research is on the formulation of personalized peptide-based cancer vaccines. These vaccines are based on identified DNA mutations in the patient’s cancer cells, the so-called neo-epitopes to induce tumor specific T cells. To optimally formulate such vaccines a flexible and versatile delivery system is needed, as every patient a unique set of different peptides will be used. Our aim is to develop flexible delivery systems that can accommodate a wide range of personalized peptides. In a joint program of the LUMC and Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research (LACDR) we are working on the formulation of synthetic peptides in cationic liposomes. Both the particle production as well as the immunological evaluation (in vitro and in vivo) are part of the project. In a collaboration with the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) we also explore human neoepitopes conjugated to Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR) as a formulation strategy. My project is being conducted in the group of Prof. dr. Ferry Ossendorp as well as the group of Prof. dr. Wim Jiskoot (LACDR). 

Curriculum vitae

Before starting my PhD project I have studied Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Utrecht University. During my master I have performed a research internship in the group of Prof.dr. Monica Lopez Fanarraga at Universidad de Cantabria in Spain. As part of my training as a pharmacist I have completed several clinical internships in hospital and public pharmacies.