Specialization
Immuology, immunotherapy of hematological malignancies
Focus of research
I am the head of the translational Immuno-oncology research laboratory and the director of the Stem cell laboratory of the department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc. After obtaining my medical degree in 1983, I devoted my carreer to immunology and immunotherapy. I have built specific expertise in T cell immunity, the immunobiology of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), minor Histocompatibility antigens, immune regulation, immune escape and immune resistance in tumor microenvironment. The ultimate purpose of all my research activities are development and clinical implementation of specific, safe, broadly applicable and affordable cellular and antibody-based immunotherapies especially for multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and lymphomas. Since the mid-nineties I have identified important minor Histocompatibility antigens for cellular immune therapy after allo-SCT, developed and executed dendritic cell- based vaccination trials with minor H antigens. I conducted comprehensive preclinical testing of important conventional or bispecific antibodies (eg. Daratumumab, epcoritamab, teclistamab, talquetamab) and shown the capability of bone marrow tumor microenvironment to induce resistance toward several cellular and antibody-based therapies. Since 2012 I am developing conventioal and dual CART and CAR-NK cell-based therapies for Multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia.