Herlinde De Waele

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that originates from mature, antigen-naïve B cells. Despite initial responses to chemo-immunotherapy, most patients eventually relapse, and prognosis remains poor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the biology of MCL and identify new therapeutic strategies.

In my research, I use murine models to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying MCL initiation and progression. We established spontaneous MCL mouse models driven by CCND2 or SOX11 overexpression, which closely recapitulate the human disease. These models allow us to study disease development in its native microenvironment and to explore the roles of B1 cells, the presumed cell-of-origin of MCL, and marginal zone B cells. To do so, I employ single-cell omics approaches to dissect the transcriptional and phenotypic heterogeneity of these B-cell subsets during lymphomagenesis.

In addition, I perform in vivo drug efficacy testing using our MCL mouse models. I contributed to the establishment of a drug response profiling platform in our lab, validating repurposed drugs for their potential therapeutic activity in MCL. Currently, I am evaluating targeted therapies and immunotherapies in these models to understand how these treatment modalities can complement each other and enhance anti-tumor efficacy.

Ultimately, our work aims to uncover novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities that could be translated into improved treatment strategies for MCL patients.
 

• Honours programme in life sciences (2022-2024)
• Master in Biomedical Sciences, major Cancer (UGent, 2025)
  --> thesis on ‘validation of repurposed targeted therapies in preclinical models for mantle cell lymphoma’
• FWO PhD Fellowship fundamental research (2025- )
   

• Lab address: UZ Gent, Medical Research Building 2 (entrance 38), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
• Herlinde De Waele is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks