Prof. Dr. Katrin Amunts
Health, Brain research
Health
Translational immunology
I believe I can be best characterized as an investigator intrigued by the potential of immunotherapy to fight cancer without major side effects. My ambition is to translate findings from preclinical studies into new immunological approaches for the treatment of cancer patients. My track record demonstrates that I am capable of that and I have built a research line focusing on human immunotherapy, where I have not only established a clinical immunotherapy programme with all its regulatory and GMP/GLP hurdles but also created a multitude of techniques to monitor immune responses during and after therapy, not only in vitro but also in vivo. I have throughout my career, developed unique and extensive expertise in this area. Over the past five years my work has been mainly focused on the modulation of Dendritic Cells (DC) for effective DC-based cancer immunotherapeutic purposes (funded in part by a ZonMW-VIDI grant). My primary scientific interest continues along the line of DC-immunotherapy and in particular the migratory and immunomodulatory behaviour of natural DC subsets. Throughout the past period I have developed a variety of immunomonitoring tools and established a multimodal imaging toolbox for human studies. The uniqueness of my work in humans is underscored by multiple invitations for international meetings, and the numerous requests for advice. Furthermore, exploiting the developed tools resulted in high impact papers in different fields of medical research, underscoring the multidisciplinary approach of my research.
I demonstrated in the worldwide first trial, that natural DC activated with preventive vaccines are the most promising cell type for cancer immunotherapy. Hence, my basic research is focussed around DC subsets. I demonstrated that natural DC can be targeted via various molecules, take up antigens and (cross)- present them to T-cells.
I strongly believe that basic research integrated with clinical application provides great opportunities for both sites. My research thus encompasses both bench-to bedside and bedside-to-bench translational studies.
1. Knowledge concerning the scarce naturally occurring DC subsets for in vivo application
2. An in vivo imaging technique for visualising therapy induced immune responses
3. In immunomonitoring assays to predict clinical outcome after DC vaccination
4. Development of in vivo tracking techniques for visualising cellular therapy and insight in employed mechanisms
5. Understanding the mechanism behind the immune modulating capacity of platinum chemotherapeutics
I have next to my basic science, massively invested (time and costs) in building up an infrastructure to perform dendritic cell based clinical trials. This has led to major successes in the past 5 years: I authored 10 papers describing investigator-driven clinical trials with a self-manufactured cellular product. Recently, my group together with the department of Pharmacy obtained a GMP factory license for the production of advanced-therapy medicinal products, an important achievement for an academic institution and essential for performing clinical trials. During the past years I have not only achieved to set up the infrastructure at the lab but also in the hospital. One of my talents is to connect the separate worlds. As basic scientist I have build up an extensive collaboration with various clinical PIs, and in a joint effort we have now an infrastructure at the clinic. Clinicians like to work with me, I’m part of the UMC. I initiate and supervise clinical trials together with MDs.
Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, 2021
Huibregtsenprijs 2017, This award is given to a research project that is scientifically innovative and benefits society
Radboud penning 2017, The Radboudpenning of Radboud UMC is awarded annually to a person who contributed through a special personal commitment to the goal of the UMC as a top knowledge center for academic medicine and health care
DC 2006, Edinburgh: Best poster award.
Dutch, English, German
Tel J, Schreibelt G, Sittig SP, Mathan TS, Buschow SI, Cruz LJ, Lambeck AJ, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells efficiently cross-present exogenous Ags to CD8+ T cells despite lower Ag uptake than myeloid dendritic cell subsets. Blood, 2013. 121(3): 459-67.
Jacobs JF, Nierkens S, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ, Adema GJ. Regulatory T cells in melanoma: the final hurdle towards effective immunotherapy? The lancet oncology, 2012. 13(1): e32-42.
Schreibelt G, Klinkenberg LJ, Cruz LJ, Tacken PJ, Tel J, Kreutz M, Adema GJ, Brown GD, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ. The C-type lectin receptor CLEC9A mediates antigen uptake and (cross-)presentation by human blood BDCA3+ myeloid dendritic cells. Blood, 2012. 119(10): 2284-92.
Tel J, Smits EL, Anguille S, Joshi RN, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells are equipped with antigen-presenting and tumoricidal capacities. Blood, 2012. 120(19): 3936-44.
Lesterhuis WJ, Punt CJ, Hato SV, Eleveld-Trancikova D, Jansen BJ, Nierkens S, Schreibelt G, de Boer A, Van Herpen CM, Kaanders JH, van Krieken JH, Adema GJ, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ. Platinum-based drugs disrupt STAT6-mediated suppression of immune responses against cancer in humans and mice. The Journal of clinical investigation, 2011. 121(8): 3100-8.
Schreibelt G, Benitez-Ribas D, Schuurhuis D, Lambeck AJ, van Hout-Kuijer M, Schaft N, Punt CJ, Figdor CG, Adema GJ, de Vries IJ. Commonly used prophylactic vaccines as an alternative for synthetically produced TLR ligands to mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Blood, 2010. 116(4): 564-74.
Srinivas M, Aarntzen EH, Bulte JW, Oyen WJ, Heerschap A, de Vries IJ, Figdor CG. Imaging of cellular therapies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 2010. 62(11): 1080-93.
Meyer-Wentrup F, Benitez-Ribas D, Tacken PJ, Punt CJ, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ, Adema GJ. Targeting DCIR on human plasmacytoid dendritic cells results in antigen presentation and inhibits IFN-alpha production. Blood, 2008. 111(8): 4245-53.
Benitez-Ribas D, Adema GJ, Winkels G, Klasen IS, Punt CJ, Figdor CG, de Vries IJ. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells of melanoma patients present exogenous proteins to CD4+ T cells after Fc gamma RII-mediated uptake. J Exp Med, 2006. 203(7): 1629-35.
Tacken PJ, de Vries IJ, Gijzen K, Joosten B, Wu D, Rother RP, Faas SJ, Punt CJ, Torensma R, Adema GJ, Figdor CG. Effective induction of naive and recall T-cell responses by targeting antigen to human dendritic cells via a humanized anti-DC-SIGN antibody. Blood, 2005. 106(4): 1278-85.
TDAR-on-a-chip: a human in vitro HTS TDAR assay platform. Crack-it Challenge. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, Mimetas, ImmunXperts
Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in infant and adult nutrition and immune health. Health Holland, Friesland Campina. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, V Triantis HH Nutricia
tolDC therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Principal Inverstigator: ZonMW, SGF, Health Holland consortium, IJM de Vries
Optimizing the design of dendritic cell vaccine immunotherapies. ZonMW. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, G. vd Bogaart, S. van Kasteren
KIKA 359: Dendritic cell vaccines to prevent cancer in Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency (CMMR-D) syndrome. Principal Investigator: G Schreibelt, MCJ Jongmans, IJM de Vries, N Hoogerbrugge
KWF 12413: Induction of neo-antigen specific T cells by specialized cross-presenting dendritic cells in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, PB Ottevanger
ONCOBIOME, Gut OncoMicrobiome Signatures (GOMS) associated with cancer incidence, prognosis and prediction of treatment response. H2020-SC1-2018-825410. Principal Investigator: EU consortium, IJM de Vries
KWF 11618: Galectin-9 is required for dendritic cell function during anti-melanoma immunity. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, AB van Spriel
DC4Balance, Dendritic Cell Targeting for Resetting Immune Balance. Health-Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. Principal Investigator: Consortium, IJM de Vries
KWF 10673: Towards prediction of the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Principal Investigator: CG Figdor, IJM de Vries
PRECIOUS, Scaling-up immunomodulating nanomedicines for multimodal precision cancer immunotherapy EU H2020 (coordinator)
NWO-ZonMw 2016, Vaccinaties met autologe, natuurlijk circulerende dendritische cellen (nDC) beladen met synthetische peptides bij patiënten met maligne melanoom stadium IIIb en IIIc: evaluatie van klinische respons, kwaliteit van leven en economische aspecten. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries
Dendritic cell therapy part of the Dutch Health Care system (Voorwaardelijke toelating basispakket), to carry out a large randomized study with natural dendritic cell vaccines.
PROCROP, Professional cross-priming dendritic cells for ovary and prostate cancer H2020-PHC-2014-two-stage- 635122. Principal Investigator: EU consortium, IJM de Vries
ATK, Stichting afweer tegen kanker: Natural dendritic cells for immunotherapy of chemo-naive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, H. Westdorp, F Witjes, W Gerritsen
KWF 2013-6430: GMP production of PLGA beads for in vivo cell tracking. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, ML Zandvliet, CG Figdor
NWO Vici: Theranostics for the development of successful natural dendritic cell vaccines to combat and prevent cancer. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries
Radboudumc JO project 2013: Multifunctional Fight against Cancer. Supervisors: IJM de Vries, J Jacobs
Swedish Research Society 2013: Dissecting mechanisms exploited by plasmacytoid dendritic cells for antitumor immunity in therapeutically vaccinated prostate cancer patients. Supervisors: IJM de Vries, R. Kiessling
RIO JO project 2013: Dissecting mechanisms exploited by plasmacytoid dendritic cells for antitumor immunity in prostate cancer patients. Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries, W. Gerritsen
NWO-ZonMW 2012:pTO 95103002: Natural circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells: Key for antitumor immunity? Principal Investigator: IJM de Vries
BetaTrain: European Training Network for Excellence in Molecular Imaging in Diabetes, EC FP7 ITN.
KWF 2010-4722: Vaccination of early-stage high-risk uveal melanoma patients with mRNA-transfected dendritic cells. Principal investigators: IJM de Vries, CJA Punt, ADA Paridaens.
KWF 2006-3699: Toll like receptor-mediated dendritic cell maturation: The key towards induction of potent anti-tumor immunity? Principal investigators: IJM de Vries, GJ Adema, CJA Punt.
NWO Vidi: Dendritic Cells en route. Principal investigator: IJM de Vries.
NWO Aspasia. Principal investigator: IJM de Vries.
ENCITE, European Network for Cell Imaging and Tracking Expertise, EC FP7 project.
Pharmachild, Long-term PHARMacovigilance for adverse effects in childhood arthritis focusing on immune modulatory drugs, EC FP7 project.
NWO-ZonMW 2008: pTO 95100106: Boosting the immune response to prevent cancer: Frameshift neopeptide-derived antigens as novel tumor specific targets for immune therapy in hereditary colorectal cancer. Principal investigators: IJM de Vries, N. Hoogerbrugge.
KWF 2009-4580: NPK project translational research.
Van der Es foundation 222, 2010: STAT6 en platinum-chemotherapie gevoeligheid. Principal investigators: WJ Lesterhuis, CJA Punt, IJM de Vries.
Composition and methods for generating an immune response in a subject
Peptides for use in the immunotherapy of renal cell carcinoma
Elected research member of the Academia Europaea (2021-present)
Elected council member of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)(2020-present)
European Society of Molecular Imaging, TOPIM 2020 committee member
President NVVI – Dutch Society for Immunology (2018-present)
European Society of Molecular Imaging (ESMI) elected board member (2018-present)
European Society of Molecular Imaging, fouding member and chair of Immune Oncology & Therapy study Group (2017-2020)
Ambassador Board topX – a unique platform for women in Life Science (2020- present)
Member Research Council Panel Norway (2018, 2019, 2020)
Panel member in the domain of Biomedical Sciences of the Free University Brussels (VUB) Strategic Research Programs
Panel Member in the evaluation of the 2016 ERC consolidator grants (2016)
Elected member of the European Academy for Tumor Immunology (EATI) (since 2016)
Chair of the Scientific Evaluation Committee of “The ERA-NET TRANSCAN-2” (European Research Area Network: Aligning national/regional translational cancer research programmes and activities) Joint Transnational Call for proposals (15 funding organisations from 11 countries) (2015-2016)
Member of the program committee & poster discussant at ESMO Symposium on Immuno-Oncology (2015)
Organizer of the European Molecular Imaging meeting of the European Society for Molecular Imaging (2015)
Project advisor 1Valve (2014)
Board member of patient organization Patientenstem.nu (2015-present)
Board member of patient organization Inspire2Live (2014-2015), since 2015 scientific advisor
Member of the program committee of the yearly NVVI Wintermeeting (1/2014- present)
Member of the translational and applied research council of the Dutch Cancer Foundation (2013- 2019)
Member of the educational taskforce “Revision of the curriculum for the bachelor degree in biomedical sciences in Nijmegen” (2013-2014)
Member of the user committee (gebruikerscommissie) of project 95103005 entitled " Minor H antigen UTA2-1-loaded DC dendritic cells (DC)as vaccines to improve the therapeutic effect of donor lymphocyte infusions in B cell malignancies" PI Tuna Mutis, UMC Utrecht (2013-2015)
Organizer of ENCITE workshops ‘ Imagine Cancer: from Models to Patients’, Nijmegen (the Netherlands), 1/2012
Member of the training and supervision plan committee of the clinical institutes of RUN-MC
Member of the management team NCMLS, since 01/2011
Organizer of the 2010 edition of the Dutch Tumor Immunology Meeting (Breukelen, The Netherlands, 06/2011)
Organizer of the 2010 edition of the Dutch Tumor Immunology Meeting (Breukelen, The Netherlands, 06/2010)
Site visit of the research cancer center headed by Jean Jacques Fournié in Toulouse (France). On behalf of the French National Agency for Research Evaluation (AERES), November 19-20, 2009
Application for CCMO permission to perform clinical trials
Organizer of the 2009 edition of the Dutch Tumor Immunology Meeting (Breukelen, The Netherlands, 06/2009)
Co-organizer of N4I science day 2009, 2010,2011
Member of the NCMLS seminar committee, 11/2009 – 5/2011
Organizer of the 2008 edition of the Dutch Tumor Immunology Meeting (Breukelen, The Netherlands, 06/2008)
Co-organizer of the conference DC2003 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
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