Specialization
Internal Medicine, Hematology, Immunology, Cardiovascular Research
Focus of research
Immune checkpoint proteins, such as co-stimulatory molecules and co-inhibitory molecules, orchestrate inflammation and thereby drive the development of many chronic and acute diseases. Modulation of immune checkpoint proteins is therefore a promising strategy to treat inflammatory conditions. My research is focussed on the development of novel therapeutic strategies to temper immune checkpoint protein-driven inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, and acute inflammatory conditions, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-associated toxicities.
A second line of research is focussed on the cardiovascular side effects of novel cancer therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment in the past decade but are also associated with atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular toxicity for which no specific therapies exists. By studying the pathophysiology of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated cardiovascular toxicity I aim to develop novel strategies to reduce the impact of these adverse effects in patients with cancer.
The third research line studies the interaction between inflammatory diseases and hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis, the process of immune cell production by hematopoietic stem cells, shapes the inflammatory response that drives the development of many chronic diseases. By elucidating the effects of inflammatory stimuli on hematopoiesis, I aim to identify novel therapeutic strategies to temper chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis.