Alex Agnew donates 100,000 euros to VUB cancer research

Alex Agnew has donated 100,000 euros to cancer research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). This contribution extends his support for the academic chair led by Professor Damya Laoui.

Laoui’s research team focuses on developing personalized cancer treatments by studying dendritic cells, which are specialized immune cells capable of recognizing cancer cells and activating other defense mechanisms. The funding is intended to assist in the preparation of an initial clinical study. The team aims to submit a dossier to the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAGG) by mid-2027. If approved, a study involving lung cancer patients could begin later that year to test the safety and feasibility of the treatment.

Previous support has already helped finance a 400,000 euro device required to isolate dendritic cells from tumors. While the fund has reached a milestone of 1 million euros, organizers note that significant additional resources will be required for upcoming clinical trials, setting a new fundraising goal of 1.2 million euros.