“I want to steer the immune system so that we can treat cancer in a targeted way, without side effects.”
Karine Breckpot
Immunologist and Professor of Biomedical Sciences
“From an early age, I was fascinated by how the human body works and by diseases such as cancer. The experiments of inspiring biology and chemistry teachers in secondary school made science tangible and exciting. When I first looked into programmes at VUB, I initially considered biology. But thanks to the enthusiastic explanation of Filip Braet, then an assistant, I discovered biomedical sciences — a discipline that studies how our body functions in health and disease. My gut feeling decided it: this was my path.”
My research field — immunology — is a direct result of the lectures of Professor Emeritus Ben Van Camp. It was there that I discovered just how powerfully our immune system can protect us. Under his guidance, I also took my first steps into cancer research. When I felt the immunological component was still missing, my focus shifted towards cancer immunotherapy, under the supervision of Professor Emeritus Kris Thielemans. In the meantime, I now also teach myself.
Within immunotherapy, I work with a range of biotechnological tools to deploy the immune system against cancer in a targeted way: therapeutic vaccination, immune checkpoint blockade, and T-cell therapy. What connects these projects is our use of advanced technologies — such as viral vectors, RNA and nanobodies — to modify immune cells. This enables them to better recognise and destroy cancer cells, first in the laboratory, then directly in animal models, and ultimately in patients.
“I want new technologies to move beyond the laboratory and find their way into the clinic, so that research becomes tangible hope.”
What drives me is the idea that a patient’s own immune system can be a powerful ally in the fight against cancer. I want new technologies not to remain confined to the lab, but to reach the clinic — turning research into tangible hope, with improved chances of survival.
A defining moment came towards the end of my PhD, when I was involved in the development of a dendritic cell therapy — a treatment using specialised immune cells to fight cancer. We were able to apply this therapy in patients with skin cancer; for some, it quite literally meant the difference between life and death. That realisation — that scientific research can have a direct societal impact — has shaped my career ever since.
Since then, I have developed technologies to modify specific immune cells using lentiviral vectors — viruses capable of transferring genetic information. In collaboration with Esobiotec, this approach is now being used to activate T cells, the immune system’s “hitmen”, directly inside the patient to target cancer. Recent results in blood cancers are promising.
In addition, we are using our expertise in mRNA technology, known from the COVID-19 vaccines, to develop — together with colleagues in Ghent — a vaccine against antibiotic resistance. This line of research is also progressing towards clinical trials.
My greatest motivation remains the impact for patients. But my role in educating young people motivates me just as strongly. Guiding bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students towards becoming critical, ethical and engaged scientists is just as valuable as a clinical breakthrough. They are the engine of tomorrow’s research.
Along the way, I owe a great deal to mentors and colleagues, but also to my parents, sister, friends and partner. Their perspectives, questions and unconditional support keep me sharp and remind me how important it is to create a safe environment within my own team — one in which everyone can pursue their ambitions.
BIO
Karine Breckpot is an immunologist and Professor of Biomedical Sciences. She leads an internationally recognised research programme in cancer immunotherapy and develops innovative strategies — including mRNA, lentiviral vector and nanobody technologies — to enable the immune system to recognise and combat cancer cells in a more targeted way.
In a rapidly changing world, independent, science-based insights are indispensable. Karine provides journalists and editorial teams with clear analysis and context on current issues, within her fields of expertise.
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