dr. Annelies Demeyer (PhD)

The research group of Lieve Brochez has a track record in immuno-oncology research since 10 years. Starting from immunological reactions in benign melanocytic lesions research has shifted towards immune escape mechanisms and signatures of disturbed immunity in melanoma. 
Current research is now focusing on immunity in melanoma and other cancers, its relation with tumor characteristics and microbiome, and the link with disease outcome / response to immunotherapy.
 

In 2016 I obtained my PhD in Sciences: Biotechnology at the Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation led by prof. Rudi Beyaert (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation). My research topic was the functional characterization of the paracaspase MALT1 in T cells. During my PhD, various research groups, including the group of prof. Beyaert, have shown that the MALT1 protease activity is a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and certain cancers.
After my PhD I continued my work in the research group to study the safety of MALT1 protease inhibition by means of a tamoxifen inducible MALT1 protease deficient mouse model.
 

• Fragility can be a good thing in cancer. Nature Immunology, 2020. (PMID: 31822867)
• Clinical Relevance of Serum Kyn/Trp Ratio and Basal and IFN Gamma-Upregulated IDO1 Expression in Peripheral Monocytes in Early Stage Melanoma. FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY 12, 2021.
• Immune Monitoring in Melanoma and Urothelial Cancer Patients Treated with Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy and SBRT Discloses Tumor Specific Immune Signatures. CANCERS 13 (11). doi:10.3390/cancers13112630, 2021.
   

• Lab address: Dermatology Research Unit (DRU), Campus UZ Gent , MRB2 (entrance 38, 2nd floor), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Gent