Sabina van der Zanden

ICI00005: My research project is focusing on the commonly used anthracycline anticancer drugs. By comparing these anthracyclines and their chemically modified analogues we aim to gain more inside in the intercalation and interaction of these molecules with DNA and their target topoisomerase II. Additionally, since it is known that the different anthracycline drugs have marked selectivity for specific genomic regions we hope by modifying these drugs to alter the regions targeted by these compounds, thereby expanding the subset of epigenetic modifiers.

ICI00020: Anthracyclines are commonly used anti-cancer drugs to treat various solid and hematological tumors, either as single therapy or in combination with other drugs or radiotherapy. This drug family, including doxorubicin, is extensively studied for their toxicity profile and anti-tumor activity. However, the last decade(s) cancer research shifted towards understanding the role of the immune system for the effectivity of chemotherapeutics. In this project we aim to understand the effect of various anthracycline analogs on the activation, differentiation and distribution of different immune subset. This with the ultimate goal to improve cancer treatment by rationally combining anthracycline drugs with immunotherapy.