Huan Yan

About one in seven colorectal cancer patients develop peritoneal metastases (PM), which can occur either simultaneously with the primary cancer or later. Unlike liver or lung metastases, colorectal PMs are notably less responsive to chemotherapy. The current treatment involves cytoreductive surgery paired with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC). Despite this approach, about 80% of patients experience recurrence. The short duration (90 minutes) of intraperitoneal chemotherapy during HIPEC and the immunosuppressive effects of the combined surgery and chemotherapy significantly limit its effectiveness.

During my PhD, our goal is to address the limitations of current colorectal PM treatments by using a biocompatible prolonged-release formulation to extend drug exposure and combining TLR agonists with cytotoxic therapy to boost the immune response. We will explore these innovative treatments for colorectal PM through locoregional (intraperitoneal) immune modulation. To efficiently study our hypothesis, we will establish a syngeneic CRC PM mouse model. We aim to demonstrate that this dual approach could reduce the chances of locoregional and systemic recurrence.
 

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  Lab address: Experimental Surgery Lab, campus UZ Gent, 
  C. Heymanslaan 10, The Core, ingang 37, verdieping 3  
• Experimental Surgery Lab 
• Huan Yan is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks