Publication in Cancer Research
The results of our scientists' work have been published in Cancer Research journal.
Dr. Magdalena Winiarska's team discovered a new way in which tumors defend themselves against the immune system—by using ammonia as a weapon. This byproduct of cancer cell metabolism accumulates in the tumor microenvironment and inhibits the activity of NK cells and T cells making them less effective at eliminating cancer cells.
Key findings:
➡️ Ammonia is secreted by cancer cells and accumulates in the tumor microenvironment, inhibiting the antitumor activity of NK cells and T cells
➡️ Ammonia reduces the level of perforin, a key protein responsible for destroying cancer cells by the immune system.
➡️ This highlights ammonia’s role as a significant barrier to the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, including therapies based on monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T, and CAR-NK cells.
➡️ Zrozumienie tego mechanizmu otwiera nowe drogi do opracowania innowacyjnych terapii przeciwnowotworowych.
The research was conducted as part of the “Searching for novel strategies improving cancer immunotherapy (STIMUNO)” ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The first authors of the paper are Dr. Joanna Domagała (Medical University of Warsaw) and Dr. Tomasz Grzywa (IMDIK, currently at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA). The project involved collaboration with institutions in Poland and abroad, including the Medical University of Warsaw, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the International Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology in Warsaw, the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Germany, and the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
For more details on this discovery, visit Cancer Research
Gold medal for enzybiotics
The invention of Izabela Sabała, PhD and Elżbieta Jagielska, PhD from our Laboratory of Protein Engineering awarded with gold medal of Euroinvent Fair 2025. Congratulations!
Enzybiotics have enormous potential in combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. This is a new group of biological antibacterial substances that, while destroying selected bacterial cells, e.g. strains resistant to antibiotics, do not eliminate beneficial and necessary bacteria. They can be used in medicinal products, dressings or dermocosmetics.
More information can be found here.
The Euroinvent 2025 Fair, held in Iasi, Romania, is one of the most prestigious events in the world of innovation and creativity. Organized with the support of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, it brings together outstanding scientists, inventors and representatives of the academic and business world.
This year's edition featured 640 innovative projects, which demonstrates the huge interest and high level of submitted solutions.
The Polish delegation, represented by IBS GLOBAL, achieved spectacular success, winning the highest distinctions – gold medals. This is proof of the world-class level of Polish innovations and their importance in the international scientific and technological environment. Winning gold medals at Euroinvent is not only a prestigious distinction, but also confirmation that Polish projects are competitive in the international arena.
Medals at the Euroinvent Fair are awarded based on several key evaluation criteria. The international jury analyses submitted projects in terms of their novelty, usability, design, low cost, socio-economic impact and potential market opportunities. Additionally, projects are assessed in terms of the originality of the innovation, scientific value, feasibility, potential users and risk management. This is a rigorous process that ensures that only the most valuable and groundbreaking innovations win awards at this prestigious event.
Euroinvent 2025 is an event that not only promotes innovation, but also enables the exchange of experiences between inventors from all over the world. The success of the Polish representation emphasizes the growing role of our country in the global innovation ecosystem and confirms the high quality of the presented projects.
Cancer Fight Research Club-spring edition
The project is financed from the state budget, allocated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the Science for the Society II Programme
Publication in "Leukemia"
The latest work of our researchers published in Leukemia
Publication: Leukemia – CAR-T cells directed to LILRB1
We are pleased to share our recent study on novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting LILRB1, a promising new treatment strategy to improve immunotherapy for leukemia and potentially other hematologic malignancies. The research was carried out by the Polish-Norwegian consortium of the Medical University of Warsaw and Oslo University Hospital within the ALTERCAR project funded by the National Centre for Research and Development. It was led by Dr. Magdalena Winiarska and Dr. Małgorzata Firczuk from the Department of Immunology, MMRI. Other MMRI researchers participating in the project include Dr. Katsiaryna Marhelava, Msc. Marta Krawczyk, and Dr. Iwona Baranowska. The project also involved collaborations with institutions and hospitals in Poland and abroad, including the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland; the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland; the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland; and the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
In this study, we identified LILRB1 as a novel target on leukemia and lymphoma cells, and developed LILRB1-directed CAR-T cells. LILRB1 CAR-T cells offer a promising therapeutic opportunity for patients with B-cell malignancies who relapse after prior immunotherapies. In particular, this therapy may become a solution for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with CD19-negative relapses and lineage switching. The implementation of LILRB1 CAR-T cells may also extend beyond B-cell malignancies, offering hope for patients with monocytic leukemias and potentially providing a safer treatment option for acute myeloid leukemia, with reduced myelotoxicity compared to other currently tested CAR-T therapies.
Article in "Academia"
The latest issue of the Polish Academy of Sciences magazine "Academia" features article entitled "The Microbiote: freeloading passengers?" by Elżbieta Jagielska, PhD and Izabela Sabała, PhD, DSc from our Laboratory of Protein Engineering.
Enjoy reading!
