Project

in vivo visualization of NKT cell-mediated anti-tumor activity

Code
365Q01013
Duration
01 January 2013 → 31 December 2016
Funding
Funding by bilateral agreement (private and foundations)
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
Keywords
NKT cells anti tumour
 
Project description

Natural Killer T cells, also referred to as NKT cells, are white blood cells with special characteristics in terms of destroying cancer cells. After all, they recognize lipid-like molecules on the surface of cancer cells. NKT attach themselves to the cancer cell and there will cause an immune response against the cancer. They can also kill cancer cells directly. Stimulation of NKT cells is therefore seen as a potentially attractive approach for the treatment of certain cancers. We know for example that tumors which many NKT in appearance, have a better prognosis. In this research we aim to bring the NKT cells in cancerous tumors immediately, and to investigate their behavior in detail in these cancers. That way we will better insight how NKT cells into cancer cells are recruited and how they can destroy it.