Lambrechts Lab

UZ Leuven, KU Leuven researchers and the VIB have examined the immune reaction in COVID-19-patients admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Detailed analyses of the lung fluid showed new factors that play a role in the excessive immune reactions against the virus in seriously ill patients. 

Prof. Diether Lambrechts (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) has been awarded a Proof of Concept grant by the European Research Council. With this grant, he will be able to explore the use of DNA methylation patterns detectable in tumor DNA that circulates in the blood as predictive marker for resistance against cancer treatments. 

Biocartis launched a fast, accurate msi assay on its idylla™ platform, offering the Potential to predict effective cancer treatment options.

Following a recent publication in the leading cancer  journal Journal of Clinical Oncology RCSI and international collaborators within the ANGIOPREDICT research consortium have now  further revealed chromosomal instability  (where  whole human chromosomes or parts of chromosomes are duplicated or deleted) may predict which patients benefit most from the use of a key drug to treat colorectal cancer (Avastin). By predicting the patients that would not benefit from Avastin, individuals could be spared the side-effects of this particular drug therapy, and are more likely to receive an optimal treatment with a minimum of delay, while reducing cost of care.

Idylla™ MSI Assay further strengthens Biocartis’ test menu and offers opportunities to enter the immuno-oncology testing market.

Researchers from VIB, Leuven University and University Hospital Leuven studied thousands of healthy and cancerous lung cells to create the first comprehensive atlas of lung tumor cells. Their results reveal that tumors are much more complex than previously appreciated, distinguishing 52 different types of cells. This new information can be used to identify new research lines for treatment. The results of the study will be published in the leading journal Nature Medicine.

Seventy-two new genetic variants that contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer have been identified by a major international collaboration involving hundreds of researchers worldwide.

​Greater knowledge of molecular mechanisms and novel bio-analytical methods lead to more efficient and accurate diagnostics. With their world-leading strengths in molecular research and biotechnology, various VIB labs are paving the way for novel diagnostic tools that will ultimately reduce disease burden and save lives by making disease diagnosis better, faster and more flexible. The proof is in the partnership: three recent collaborations between VIB, university hospitals and diagnostics industry leaders highlight just how critical molecular science at VIB is to the development of cutting-edge diagnostic technology.

Jeroen Raes (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology): “The microbiome field is still in the development phase, so the datasets aren’t as big as they are, for example, in genetics GWAS studies. This being said, in our Flemish Gut Flora Project, there are about 3,500 individuals for which we have microbiome and genetics data, and will be generating metabolomics in the future. In addition to all the clinical and questionnaire data, this is becoming quite an impressive dataset, I’d say – and the multiomics integration won’t be straightforward. Things will become even bigger in the future – for the trials we are currently planning, we will be collecting between 15,000 and 20,000 samples. The biggest challenge there is not the data analysis, but the logistics! ! Yet, it’s still not enough –in our recent Science paper, we estimated that at least 40,000 individuals need to be sampled to have a complete view of gut biodiversity in the healthy population. So, we still have quite some work ahead of us!”

​Researchers at the Jules Bordet Institute - Université libre de Bruxelles, VIB and KU Leuven published this 21 of April an important study offering a better understanding of the progression of breast cancer. The conclusions could have an impact on care for patients suffering from a metastatic breast cancer. This is one of the first studies based on the analysis of multiple metastases obtained at the time of patient autopsies.