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Understanding childhood cancer development for better cures

Illustration reproduced with permission from The Red Tree by Shaun Tan, Hachette Australia, 2001.

Using multi-omics technologies, single-cell applications and innovative in vitro and in vivo models, we seek for novel druggable vulnerabilities in pediatric cancers with focus on neuroblastoma.

Research

Novel non-mutated copy number driven drug targets in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a mutational silent tumor but exhibits highly recurrent DNA copy number alterations, including large 17q gains in most high-risk cases. Our lab is using integrated bioinformatic and wet lab strategies to identify copy number affected druggable genes and further in vitro and in vivo preclinical analyses with focus on replicative stress resistors and transcriptional addiction.

SOX11, a co-opted lineage dependency factor in neuroblastoma

Our lab has identified SOX11 as a key dependency factor in neuroblastoma with a predicted role as master epigenetic regulator of the sympathetic neuronal lineage with a function distinct of the recently identified core regulatory circuitry. We study the role of SOX11 in normal sympathoblast development and how SOX11 overexpression contributes to MYCN-driven tumor formation.

News

SOX11: drugging opportunities ahead

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The pediatric extra-cranial tumor neuroblastoma displays a low mutational burden while recurrent copy number alterations are present in most high-risk cases. Here, we identify SOX11 as a dependency transcription factor…

ANR 2023 (15-18 May 2023)

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May 15th-18th, 2023, ANR2023 finally live in Amsterdam!

Latest publications

SOX11 regulates SWI/SNF complex components as member of the adrenergic neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry

SOX11 regulates SWI/SNF complex components as member of the adrenergic neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry

23 March 2023

Targeted AURKA degradation: Towards new therapeutic agents for neuroblastoma

Targeted AURKA degradation: Towards new therapeutic agents for neuroblastoma

9 January 2023

RRM2 enhances MYCN-driven neuroblastoma formation and acts as a synergistic target with CHK1 inhibition

RRM2 enhances MYCN-driven neuroblastoma formation and acts as a synergistic target with CHK1 inhibition

9 August 2022

Cellular senescence in neuroblastoma

Cellular senescence in neuroblastoma

23 February 2022

From DNA Copy Number Gains and Tumor Dependencies to Novel Therapeutic Targets for High-Risk Neuroblastoma

From DNA Copy Number Gains and Tumor Dependencies to Novel Therapeutic Targets for High-Risk Neuroblastoma

3 December 2021