Immune profiling and targeting of the myeloid cell compartment in pediatric brain tumors

Pediatric brain tumors remain the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Although immunotherapies such as CAR-T cells have shown great success in certain pediatric malignancies, they have thus far failed to demonstrate efficacy in brain tumors. A key barrier is related with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which actively inhibit anti-tumor immune responses.

In close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of clinical and pre-clinical researchers, we aim to enhance immunotherapeutic efficacy in pediatric brain tumors, particularly high-grades, by targeting and modulating the myeloid cell compartment to restore anti-tumor immunity.

My research focuses on in-depth characterization of the immune landscape of these tumors, with particular emphasis on the myeloid cell compartment. Using high-dimensional technologies like spectral flow cytometry and the MACSima imaging platform, I am investigating the phenotype, spatial organization, and functional properties of pediatric brain tumor-associated myeloid cells. Additionally, I am exploring strategies to therapeutically reprogram these cells to reduce their immunosuppressive activity and enhance immune-mediated tumor control. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to the development of more effective immunotherapeutic approaches for children with brain tumors.

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Lieke Mooij