Iosifina Foskolou and Rachel Thijssen, two talented researchers from Cancer Center Amsterdam, have each been awarded a Vidi funding from the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
11 other researchers from Amsterdam UMC have been awarded this Vidi funding. With this grant, they will establish their own research groups to explore a wide range of topics all with the shared goal of improving patient care and treatment.
Modifying cellular energy programs
Iosifina Foskolou’s research focuses on enhancing cancer immunotherapy by improving the performance of T-cells , the immune system’s “soldiers” that detect and destroy cancer cells. While engineered T-cells have proven highly effective in treating blood cancers, their success in solid tumors remains limited because these tumors often lack oxygen and nutrients. Foskolou aims to reprogram T-cells to use alternative energy sources, enabling them to stay active and effective even in these challenging tumor environments. This approach could make immunotherapy more powerful for a broader range of cancers.
Eliminating leukemia cells
Rachel Thijssen’s research aims to uncover the Achilles’ heel of leukemia cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a severe form of blood cancer with poor outcomes. Although the drug venetoclax has improved treatment results, resistance almost always develops, causing relapse. Using advanced single-cell techniques, her team studies how individual leukemia cells survive therapy and seeks ways to block resistance. The ultimate goal is to design a new combination therapy with venetoclax that can fully eliminate leukemia cells and improve survival for AML patients.
A big congratulations to both of them!