Projects per year
Personal profile
Expertise
Design of innovative immunotherapy strategies. The strategies under development include ex vivo and in vivo engineering of (1) dendritic cells for immune activation and (2) T-cells for cancer cell rejection, and (3) engineering of the tumor microenvironment to facilitate antitumor immune responses. Technologies such as mRNA, lentiviral vectors and single domain antibodies (better known as nanobodies) are employed for these purposes. Strategies under development are extensively tested in preclinical in vitro models using cells of human and mouse origin as well as in mouse cancer models. Successful strategies are translated towards clinical applications in phase I/II trials.
Research interests
Cancer immunology and immunotherapy:
- Cancer vaccination
- T-cell therapy
- Immune checkpoint therapy
Education/Academic qualification
Education, Educational Professionalisation Pathway for Teaching Staff, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Award Date: 3 Nov 2015
Languages, Certificate CEFR level C1 (Academic English), Ghent University
Award Date: 14 Sept 2013
Medical Sciences, PhD, Induction of a MAGE-A3 specific cellular immune response by lentivirally transduced dendritic cells, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Award Date: 7 Jul 2004
Biomedical Sciences, Master, Identification of genes upregulated in the human stroma-dependent myeloma cell line MM5.1 when compared to its stroma-independent variant MM5.2, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Award Date: 3 Jul 1998
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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FWOSB207: NeKTAR: engineering Natural Killer cells with chimeric T-cell receptors using Advanced RNA technology
Van Craesbeek, G. (Mandate), Breckpot, K. (Administrative Promotor) & Franceschini, L. (CoI (Co-Promotor))
1/11/25 → 31/10/29
Project: Fundamental
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FWOTM1309: COLORNA: Colorectal cancer mRNA therapy focusing on the immune checkpoint ST2
Marco Aragon, M. (Mandate), Breckpot, K. (Administrative Promotor) & Franceschini, L. (CoI (Co-Promotor))
1/11/25 → 31/10/29
Project: Fundamental
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FWOSB205: SIROCCO: optimization of nanobody Screening dIRected tOwards nanoCar-t Cell develOpment
Blommaert, E.M.-T. M. (Mandate), Devoogdt, N. (Administrative Promotor), Breckpot, K. (CoI (Co-Promotor)) & De Groof, T. (CoI (Co-Promotor))
1/11/25 → 31/10/29
Project: Fundamental
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FWOSB206: NEχT: Nanobody Enabled CHImeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to treat glioblastoma
Bertazzon, G. (Mandate), Breckpot, K. (Administrative Promotor), Franceschini, L. (CoI (Co-Promotor)) & Tuyaerts, S. (CoI (Co-Promotor))
1/11/25 → 31/10/29
Project: Fundamental
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IOF3036: INTEGRAL - Integrating a multimodal approach to address current challenges in immunotherapy
Van Ginderachter, J. (Administrative Promotor), Laoui, D. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Movahedi, K. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Hadadi, E. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Stijlemans, B. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Raes, G. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Devoogdt, N. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Lahoutte, T. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), De Groof, T. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Goyvaerts, C. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), D'Huyvetter, M. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Debacker, J. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Breckpot, K. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Franceschini, L. (CoI (Co-Promotor)), Raes, G. (Mandate) & Revets, H. (Mandate)
1/01/25 → 31/12/29
Project: Applied
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Hypoxia promotes BCMA loss and a suppressive secretome thereby hindering CAR T cell therapy in multiple myeloma
Tu, C., Van der Vreken, A., Meeus, F., van den Broecke, L., Brons, J., De Veirman, K., Vanderkerken, K., De Bruyne, E., Breckpot, K. & Menu, E., Dec 2026, In: Experimental Hematology and Oncology. 15, 1, 6 p., 1.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
An mRNA-based workflow validating neo-epitope presentation through HLA-I/peptide affinity purification
Esprit, A., Autaers, D., Thielemans, K., Pepermans, E., Boonen, K., Baggerman, G., Franceschini, L. & Breckpot, K., 4 Jun 2025, In: Frontiers In Immunology. 16, p. 1-10 10 p., 1566461.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
B7-H3 nanobody-based CAR T cells control multiple myeloma growth, while dual BCMA/B7-H3 CAR T cells overcome antigen escape
van der Vreken, A., Meeus, F., Tu, C., van den Broecke, L., Raimondi, V., Vescovini, R., Hanssens, H., Watté, F., Autaers, D., Aragon, M., Billiau, J., De Veirman, K., Vanderkerken, K., De Vlaeminck, Y., Franceschini, L., Lee, H., Neri, P., De Bruyne, E., Storti, P. & Giuliani, N. & 2 others, , 14 Nov 2025, In: Journal of Hematology & Oncology. 18, 17 p., 103.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Cancer vaccines based on mRNA: Hype or hope?
de Mey, W., Autaers, D., Bertazzon, G., Esprit, A., Marco Aragon, M., Franceschini, L. & Breckpot, K., 6 Feb 2025, Trends in mRNA Vaccine Research. Wiley VCH, p. 337-400 64 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Efficient α and β- radionuclide therapy targeting fibroblast activation protein-α in an aggressive preclinical mouse tumour model
Ceuppens, H., Pombo Antunes, A. R., Navarro, L., Ertveldt, T., Berdal, M., Nagachinta, S., De Ridder, K., Lahoutte, T., Keyaerts, M., Devoogdt, N., Goyvaerts, C., D'Huyvetter, M. & Breckpot, K., Jan 2025, In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. 52, 2, p. 444-457 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Citations (Scopus)9 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Generation and Characterization of Novel Pan-Cancer Anti-uPAR Fluorescent Nanobodies as Tools for Image-Guided Surgery
Mateusiak, L. (Creator), Floru, S. (Researcher), De Groof, T. (Researcher), Wouters, J. (Researcher), Declerck, N. (Researcher), Debie, P. (Researcher), Janssen, S. (Researcher), Zeven, K. (Researcher), Puttemans, J. (Researcher), Vincke, C. (Researcher), Breckpot, K. (Project Member), Devoogdt, N. (Project Member) & Hernot, S. (Supervisor), Zenodo, 26 Mar 2025
DOI: https://zenodo.org/records/15089920
Dataset
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DataSet-Targeted Radionuclide Therapy with Low and High-Dose Lutetium-177-Labeled Single Domain Antibodies Induces Distinct Immune Signatures in a Mouse Melanoma Model
Ertveldt, T. (Creator), De Beck, L. (Creator), De Ridder, K. (Creator), Locy, H. (Creator), de Mey, W. (Creator), Goyvaerts, C. (Creator), Lecocq, Q. (Creator), Ceuppens, H. (Creator), De Vlaeminck, Y. (Creator), Awad, R. M. (Creator), Keyaerts, M. (Creator), Devoogdt, N. (Creator), D'Huyvetter, M. (Creator), Breckpot, K. (Creator) & Krasniqi, A. (Creator), Zenodo, 16 Dec 2024
Dataset
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Nanobody-mediated SPECT/CT imaging reveals the spatiotemporal expression of programmed death-ligand 1 in response to a CD8+ T cell and iNKT cell activating mRNA vaccine
Breckpot, K. (Creator) & Ertveldt, T. (Creator), Theranostics, 16 Dec 2024
Dataset
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Dataset of Development and evaluation of nanobody tracers for noninvasive nuclear imaging of the immune-checkpoint TIGIT
De Groof, T. (Creator), Zeven, K. (Creator), Ceuppens, H. (Creator), Awad, R. M. (Creator), Ertveldt, T. (Creator), de Mey, W. (Creator), Meeus, F. (Creator), Raes, G. (Creator), Breckpot, K. (Creator) & Devoogdt, N. (Creator), Zenodo, 24 Mar 2025
Dataset
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B16-huCD20 tumors treated with 177Lu-TRT were subjected to multiplex analysis to study the tumor immune signature.
Ertveldt, T. (Creator), De Ridder, K. (Creator), Locy, H. (Creator) & Breckpot, K. (Creator), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), 2 Apr 2022
Dataset
Prizes
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Award "Dr. Karel-Lodewijk Verleysen ter bekroning van medisch onderzoekswerk aan Vlaamse universiteiten (2005-2010)"
Breckpot, K. (Recipient), 7 Mar 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Award PhD thesis of the year
De Ridder, K. (Recipient), Goyvaerts, C. (Recipient) & Breckpot, K. (Recipient), 27 Nov 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Oral Presentation - MOSA conference 2021
Janssens, E. M. (Recipient), De Beck, L. (Recipient), Verbeke, R. (Recipient), Lentacker, I. (Recipient), Dewitte, H. (Recipient), Menu, E. (Recipient) & Breckpot, K. (Recipient), 23 Jun 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
Best Poster Presentation
Vandewalle, N. (Recipient), Menu, E. (Recipient), De Bruyne, E. (Recipient), De Veirman, K. (Recipient), Breckpot, K. (Recipient) & Devoogdt, N. (Recipient), 2 Feb 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Beurs Marie-Louise Lottin naar wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar kanker - Sandra Tuyaerts
Tuyaerts, S. (Recipient), Rooman, I. (Recipient), Messaoudi, N. (Recipient) & Breckpot, K. (Recipient), 27 Nov 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Flanders Vaccine (External organisation)
Breckpot, K. (Member)
5 Jun 2025 → 4 Jun 2029Activity: Membership › Work on advisory panel to industry or government or non-government organisation
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Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (Organisational unit)
Breckpot, K. (Chair)
16 Sept 2025 → 21 Sept 2026Activity: Membership › Work on academic committees and working groups
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Single-Domain Antibodies as Building Blocks for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
Breckpot, K. (Speaker)
29 Sept 2025 → 1 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
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The promise of new modalities: keeping Belgium in the lead
Breckpot, K. (Speaker)
4 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
Press/Media
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Brussels University Hospital: Driving Innovation in Patient-Centered Research and Care
2/10/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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How ‘big pharma’ is launching a ‘two-stage rocket’ against cancer
4/06/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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The future of immunotherapy: "We need to let go of the idea that one superb treatment can eliminate every type of cancer."
16/05/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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Marta Marco Aragón, one of four VUB researchers awarded a grant by Kom op tegen Kanker
Marco Aragon, M. & Breckpot, K.
8/04/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
Thesis
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Combining the Strengths of Cytotoxic T Cells and nanomedicines for Cancer Immunotherapy
Wayteck, L. ((PhD) Student) & Breckpot, K. (Jury), Stefaan C., D. S. (Promotor) & Van Raemdonck, K. (Promotor), 15 Jun 2016Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Creation of a 3D Crime scene to unravel cytotoxicity resistance mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer
Schaukens, J. ((PhD) Student), Goyvaerts, C. (Promotor), Breckpot, K. (Co-promotor) & De Ridder, K. (Advisor), Jul 2022Student thesis: Master's Thesis
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Design and evaluation of immunotherapeutic imaging for cancer vaccination
Dewitte, H. ((PhD) Student), Lentacker, I. (Co-promotor), Breckpot, K. (Promotor) & Stefaan C., D. S. (Promotor), 26 Feb 2015Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Development of a NanoCAR approach for the treatment of multiple myeloma
Devoogdt, N. (Promotor), Breckpot, K. (Promotor), De Veirman, K. (Promotor) & Hanssens, H. ((PhD) Student), 10 Sept 2024Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Differentiële genexpressie in een humane stroma-dependente myeloom cellijn en haar stroma-independente variant.
Breckpot, K. ((PhD) Student) & Van Camp, B. (Promotor), Van Camp, B. (Promotor), 1998Student thesis: Master's Thesis