Uncovering the Spatial Regulation of γδ T Cells: Toward Receptor-Guided Immunotherapy
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are a unique type of immune cell that can help the body detect and destroy cancer. However, their exact role in solid tumors has remained unclear, partly because traditional laboratory models do not fully reflect how these cells behave in the human body 1. In this talk, I will present a comprehensive strategy to study γδ T cells directly in patients with colorectal cancer, using matched samples from blood, healthy colon tissue, primary tumors, and liver metastases as well as novel engineering techniques by using advantage of γδ T cell receptors and optimal co-stimulation2.
1 Beringer, D.X., Straetemans, T., Minguet, S., Riillo, C., Lynch, L., Sebestyen, Z., and Kuball, J. (2025) Disrupting the balance between activating and inhibitory receptors of gammadeltaT cells for effective cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Cancer. 25, 590 – 612
2 Hernandez-Lopez, P., Riillo, C., Gasull-Celades, L., Lommen, J.G.E., Heijhuurs, S., Zheng, J., van Bruggen, S., Zintchenko, M., Brandl, S.M., Minguet, S., Kuball, J., and Beringer, D.X. (2026) Cis- and trans-binding chimeric costimulatory receptors enhance T‑cell fitness and tumor control. Cell Mol Immunol. 23, 79 – 93
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are a unique type of immune cell that can help the body detect and destroy cancer. However, their exact role in solid tumors has remained unclear, partly because traditional laboratory models do not fully reflect how these cells behave in the human body 1. In this talk, I will present a comprehensive strategy to study γδ T cells directly in patients with colorectal cancer, using matched samples from blood, healthy colon tissue, primary tumors, and liver metastases as well as novel engineering techniques by using advantage of γδ T cell receptors and optimal co-stimulation2.
1 Beringer, D.X., Straetemans, T., Minguet, S., Riillo, C., Lynch, L., Sebestyen, Z., and Kuball, J. (2025) Disrupting the balance between activating and inhibitory receptors of gammadeltaT cells for effective cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Cancer. 25, 590 – 612
2 Hernandez-Lopez, P., Riillo, C., Gasull-Celades, L., Lommen, J.G.E., Heijhuurs, S., Zheng, J., van Bruggen, S., Zintchenko, M., Brandl, S.M., Minguet, S., Kuball, J., and Beringer, D.X. (2026) Cis- and trans-binding chimeric costimulatory receptors enhance T‑cell fitness and tumor control. Cell Mol Immunol. 23, 79 – 93
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Read the Abstracts from Our Invited Speakers
Cancer Biology
- AllergoOncology: Lessons Learned from the Allergy-Glioblastoma Connection
Aurélie Poli, Luxembourg Institute of Health, LUXEMBOURG
- Cytotoxic NK Cells Impede Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Melanoma with an Immune-Excluded Phenotype
Joanna Poźniak, KU Leuven, BELGIUM
- Inducing Immunogenic Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Across Cancer Types With Dendritic Cell Reprogramming
Camille Chatelain, Lund University, SWEDEN
- The Role of ILC2 in Tissue Homeostasis and Neoplasia
Tim Halim, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, UNITED KINGDOM
Cancer Neuroscience
- Latent Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Cancer Survivorship
Andrew Shepherd, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
- Remodelling of the Bone Microenvironment During Cancer Infiltration: Insights from Multiplex Imaging and Spatial Transcriptomics
Christina Møller Andreasen, University of Southern Denmark, DENMARK
- Enteric Nervous System-Derived VIP Restrains Differentiation of LGR5+ Stem Cells Towards the Secretory Lineage Impeding Type 2 Immune Programs
Christoph Klose, Charité – Berlin University Medicine, GERMANY
Cancer Therapy
- Targeting the Dark Matter of Cancer with AI-Designed Mini Binder
Tobias Bald, University of Bonn, GERMANY
- Engineering Nanomedicines for Targeted Neuroimmune Modulation
Helena Florindo, University of Lisbon, PORTUGAL
- Potentiating Immunotherapy of Urological Cancers with Oncolytic Viruses
Gabri van der Pluijm, Leiden University Medical Center, THE NETHERLANDS
- Strategic Priorities in Cancer Therapy: Navigating the 2026 Cancer Mission Calls
Industry Contact Point, Łukasiewicz – PORT, POLAND
- Cancer Neuroscience of Brain TumorsKEYNOTE SPEAKER
Frank Winkler, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, GERMANY
- Spatial Reprogramming of Immune Surveillance in Breast Cancer: From Immune Control to Immune Failure
Sheeba Irshad, King’s College London, UNITED KINGDOM
- The War Against Glioblastoma Needs More Than Standard of Care
Stefaan Van Gool, IOZK Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln, GERMANY
- Uncovering the Spatial Regulation of γδ T Cells: Toward Receptor-Guided Immunotherapy
Jürgen Kuball, University Medical Center Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS
- CAR‑T Cell Therapy in Lymphomas, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and Multiple Myeloma
Wojciech Szlasa, DCOPIH, POLAND
- Expanding CAR Targets to Non Protein Antigens
Sébastien Wälchli, Oslo University Hospital, NORWAY
- Advancing BIA-ALCL Research Through a UK – PORT Alliance — From Biobanking to Immune Discovery
Helen Kakkassery, King’s College London, UNITED KINGDOM
PORT for Business — Company Session
- From Sample to Insight: Advanced Analytics for Oncology Research
Malwina Woźniak, Łukasiewicz – PORT, POLAND
- Beyond glioblastoma — WPD Pharmaceuticals
Marek Sipowicz, WPD Pharmaceuticals, POLAND
- The Development of USP7 Inhibitor for Cancer Immunotherapy
Zbigniew Zasłona, Molecule, POLAND
- Leveraging Cancer Biology for Therapeutic Innovation: Clinical and Discovery Advances at Ryvu
Milena Mazan, Ryvu Therapeutics, POLAND
- Transforming Multimodal Complexity into Precision Oncology Insights
Marek Kudła, Ardigen, POLAND
- JJP-1008 as a Novel Checkpoint Inhibitor
Agata Drewniak-Maksymów, JPP Biologics, POLAND
- Synergistic Nanotechnology for Targeted Therapeutics in Oncology
Artur Wnorowski, Biotechna, POLAND
- Development of Biological Drugs for Oncological Indications at Mabion
Jakub Knurek, Mabion, POLAND
- Enabling Early Drug Discovery: Integrated Screening Capabilities and a BRD4/CRBN PROTAC Case Study
Justyna Adamczyk, Enamine, POLAND