The Translational Oncology Research Centre (TORC) focuses on multidisciplinary fundamental, translational and clinical cancer research to tackle different stages of the disease: improving the detection of early and residual disease, treatment & care and quality-of-life.
TORC has two main research programs that serve as the guiding framework of our research.
The Cancer Biology, Immunology & Immunotherapy pogram comprises mainly fundamental and translational research. It can be subdivided into the following research themes:
- Tumor heterogeneity & plasticity
- Tumor microenvironment
- Molecular and cellular immunotherapy
- Immune-oncology
Clinical Therapy and Quality of Life mainly covers our clinical research, but also includes a translational part. This program encompasses the following subdivision into research themes
- Development of cutting-edge treatments with focus on immunotherapy and targeted therapy
- Enhancement of quality-of-life of cancer patients, incl. cancer survivorship
Key tumor domains of TORC include hematological tumors such as multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia and solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer, melanoma, glioma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma.
Our research focus fits with the UN SDG ‘Good Health and Well-Being’, with the EU Mission on Cancer and the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. The European Commission has made cancer one of its key health priorities.
Hematology & Immunology
The research team consists of a fundamental team located at the Faculty of the Brussels Health Campus (Prof. Dr. Karine Vanderkerken, Prof. Dr. Eline Menu, Prof. Dr. Elke De Bruyne, Prof. Dr. Kim De Veirman) and a translational research team located at the University Hospital (Prof. Dr. Ivan van Riet, Prof. Dr. Ann De Becker, Prof. Dr. Ken Maes).
Fundamental Research consists of cancer research in different tumor models including Multiple Myeloma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. The aim of this research is to find novel therapeutic targets within the field of epigenetics, tumor cross-talk and immune therapy.
Translational Research covers different domains within Hematology, such as Cancer Biology, Stem Cell Therapy, Thrombophilia and HLA typing.
Molecular & Cellular Therapy
The research group for Molecular and Cellular Therapy led by Prof. Dr. Karine Breckpot studies strategies to enhance immune cells’ ability to identify, surveil, and finally destroy cancer cells, considering mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. Together with Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Francheschini, the group advances technology platforms such as mRNA, lentiviral vectors, and single domain antibodies next to in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Strategies that are successful in the preclinical stage are translated towards phase I/II clinical trials.
Medical & Molecular Oncology
The research group Medical & Molecular Oncology at the VUB Faculty of Medicine engages in several major research initiatives: to study pancreatic cancer biology, Prof. Dr. Ilse Rooman, and to study cancer immunotherapy including autologous dendritic cell therapies, Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns.
