Cecilia Vaesen

The peritoneum is a frequent site of metastasis in advanced abdominal cancers such as colorectal, gastric, and ovarian cancer. Peritoneal metastases (PM) occur in approximately 8% of colon, 20% of gastric, and 70% of ovarian cancer patients at the time of diagnosis. Patients with PM generally have a poor prognosis, and until recently, the presence of peritoneal disease was considered a terminal disease. Over the past decade, new therapeutic approaches have significantly improved both survival outcomes and quality of life for these patients. Among these, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become an important therapeutic option. However, this approach is invasive and requires patients to be in good overall condition, which can be challenging in the context of advanced disease.

During my PhD we aim to explore an intraperitoneal immunomodulatory therapy for PM based on a novel circular toll-like receptor agonist. This therapy aims to induce local immune activation within the peritoneal cavity and to convert the tumor microenvironment (TME) from an “immune cold” peritoneum into an “immune hot”/immunostimulatory environment. Our study will evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of this novel TLR agonist and conduct mechanistic studies to identify the key immune cell populations driving its therapeutic effect. To achieve this, we will develop syngeneic mouse models of colorectal and ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis, to both evaluate therapeutic efficacy and identify the underlying immune mechanisms. 

• Lab address: Experimental Surgery Lab, campus UZ Gent, C. Heymanslaan 10, The Core, entrance 37a, 3th floor
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• Cecilia Vaesen is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks