Macrophage Dynamics Lab

The Challenge

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) with liver metastases remain among the most lethal malignancies, largely due to their profound ability to reprogram the immune system and resist current therapies. Despite advances in oncology, the tumor microenvironment (TME) — particularly its immune and metabolic components — continues to act as a barrier to therapeutic efficacy.

A critical gap in our understanding lies in how tumors co-opt immune cells, especially macrophages and monocytes, through metabolic and epigenetic rewiring, both locally and systemically. Our research addresses this unmet need by dissecting the mechanisms through which tumor-derived signals sculpt an immunosuppressive niche and foster metastasis. By integrating high-resolution technologies and translational models, we aim to generate new knowledge that redefines immune cell plasticity in cancer and identifies vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited.

Main Research Areas

Immunometabolic control of tumor-associated macrophages

We investigate how metabolic pathways shape the function and plasticity of macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. Our goal is to reprogram macrophages from immunosuppressive to immunostimulatory states to improve anti-tumor immunity.

Epigenetic imprinting of circulating and tissue-resident immune cells

We explore how tumors induce stable epigenetic changes in circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages, which contribute to immune dysfunction and metastatic spread. By integrating single-cell epigenomics and metabolite profiling, we aim to decode the molecular memory of tumor-educated immune cells.

Targeting immune-stromal crosstalk in liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma

We study how metastases or primary tumors interact with the liver microenvironment in the initiation phase to establish a pro-metastatic niche and hepatocellular carcinoma initiating niche. We tackle the relevance of metabolic disorders, diet, age, inflammation (liver morbidity) in the dynamic changes to this process.

Translational immunology and therapeutic targeting

We develop and validate innovative immunotherapeutic strategies, including nanobody-based inhibitors, to selectively block key immunometabolic targets identified in our research. These approaches are tested in preclinical models and supported by analyses of patient-derived tissues.