Intenist- hematologist
MUMC+
Catharina Van Elsssen, MD, PhD. Department of internal medicine, division of hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands, Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Dr. Van Elssen’s research centers on the immune system in hematological malignancies, with a specific emphasis on the development and clinical translation of cellular immunotherapy. Her work bridges fundamental immunology, preclinical modeling, and clinical implementation, aligning with the strategic goals of the Department of Hematology and GROW research institute.
Her early research on alloreactive NK cells laid the foundation for a multicenter phase I/II trial in MM, which she co-coordinated as clinical fellow. After completing a research fellowship at the Whitehead Institute (MIT), she established her independent research line focused on immune dysfunction and immunotherapeutic targeting in AML and MM.
Current projects include:
• Hypoxia-driven immune escape in MM, leading to the development of a prognostic gene signature and future PET-CT imaging–guided immunotherapy. This project is conducted in close collaboration with the ErasmusMC, Maastro and the department of toxicogenomics of the UM.
• Personalized donor selection in Stem cell transplantation, based on immunogenetic profiling of stem cell donors and linking this to recipient outcome. A project developed in collaboration with the department of transplantation immunology at het MUMC and department of hematology at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
• NK cell therapy in AML, in collaboration with Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, based on MUMC+-developed GMP grade NK cell products the project focuses on AML escape mechanisms to evade NK cell mediated anti-leukemia responses and development of a clinical trial.
Her translational research aims to advance personalized, immune-based treatments, and integrates closely with her clinical leadership. She mentors multiple PhD candidates and drives academic innovation in cellular immunotherapy within the Hematology department