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Wednesday 14 April 2021 PhD defense (UvA), 2.00 pm, online
Kikkie Poels: More chance of arteriosclerosis after cancer treatment
Cancer patients who undergo ICI (cancer immunotherapy) treatment are more likely to have an increase in arteriosclerosis and all its consequences. Poels has come to this conclusion in her research into the development of atherosclerosis in pro- and anti-inflammatory interventions.
Lots of side effects
ICI is a widely used anti-tumor therapy. Although the therapy very effectively activates the immune system to attack a tumor, the activated immune cells also cause many side effects. Poels studied the effect of ICI treatment on arteriosclerosis, in which large blood vessels become constricted by fat and accumulations of immune cells.
Poels saw in mice that ICIs accelerate arteriosclerosis. Since the accumulations are at a more advanced and therefore more dangerous stage, there is a greater chance of, for example, a heart attack. Although Poel mainly did her study with mice, a translation to humans is not difficult, thanks in part to the work of international colleagues, the PhD student writes.
Spotlight on immune cell manipulations in atherosclerosis
Source: Amsterdam UMC
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