Cancer Immunology

Principal Investigator: Assoc. Prof. Duygu SAĞ

Our research at iBG primarily focuses on the mechanisms regulating macrophage polarization in various diseases, with a particular emphasis on cancer, to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Macrophages are critical components of the immune system and can polarize into either the M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype in response to specific polarization signals. An imbalance between these M1 and M2 macrophages contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Additionally, we have recently expanded our laboratory's focus to psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), specifically investigating the impact of stress management on immune system function and disease progression. Our goal is to develop innovative approaches to enhance overall well-being.

Publications

Korkmaz A, Unuvar D, Gunalp S, Helvaci D.G, Sag D, 2025. Kabasura Kudineer Choornam, a medicinal polyherbal formulation, modulates human macrophage polarization and phagocytic function. Turkish Journal of Biology (in press).

Korkmaz A, Bernhardsen GP, Cirit B, Koprucu Suzer G, Kayan H, Biçmen H, Tahra M, Suner A, Lehto SM, Sag D*, Saatcioglu F*, 2024. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.53978 (*Corresponding author)

Gunalp G, Helvaci DG, Oner A, Bursali A, Conforte A, Güner H, Karakülah G, Szegezdi E, Sag D, 2023. TRAIL promotes the polarization of human macrophages toward a proinflammatory M1 phenotype and is associated with increased survival in cancer patients with high tumor macrophage content. Frontiers in Immunology, doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209249. eCollection 2023

Eskiocak YC, Ayyildız ZO, Gunalp S, Korkmaz A, Helvaci DG, Sag D, Wingender G, 2023. The Ca2+ concentration impacts the cytokine production of mouse and human lymphoid cells and the polarization of human macrophages in vitro, Plos One, 18 (2), e0282037 

Yakubogullari N, Cagir A, Bedir E, Sag D, 2023. Astragalus saponins, Astragaloside VII and newly synthesized derivatives, induces dendritic cell maturation and T cell activation, Vaccines 11(3), 495

Projects

TUBITAK ARDEB 1001 “Association of enzymatic site-dependent functions of KDM6A protein with NF-κB signaling pathway and macrophage function in bladder cancer.” (2024-2027), Researcher

Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchange, “The role of the non-canonical death receptor signalling in cancer and immune cells- CHIRON, (2023-2027), PI

TUBITAK ARDEB 1001 “Effect of Medical Polyherbal Formulation NOQ19 on Primary Human Macrophage Polarization and the Course of Viral H1N1 Influenza Infection in Mice”, (2023-2025), PI

TUBITAK BIDEB- 2247-A National Outstanding Researchers Program “Video-immunotherapy: A new approach in breast cancer treatment” (2022-2026), PI

H2020 WIDESPREAD-06-2020-ERA Chairs, “Boosting the Rare Disease research and innovation capacity of the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center”, (2021-2027), Work package leader

TUBITAK ARDEB 1001, “Development of Nanoparticulate Adjuvant Systems and Bioconjugates Targeting Melanoma Cancer Treatment Using Astragaloside VII, a Potent Adjuvant Candidate, and Investigation of the Anti-Tumor Activities of Adjuvant Systems in Mouse Melanoma Cancer Models” (2021-2023), Advisor

TUBİTAK ARDEB 1003, "Development of a new gene discovery and drug repositioning platform based on machine learning to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer", (2018-2021), Advisor

TUBİTAK ARDEB 1003, “Development of corneal endothelial tissue with stem cell and bioengineering approaches”, (2018-2021), Researcher

TUBITAK ARDEB 3501, “Osteogenic Niche Development under Dynamic Culture Conditions Using Microfluidic Bioreactors”, (2018-2021), Advisor

TÜBA GEBİP, “Investigation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 in human macrophages as a target molecule candidate in immunotherapy”, (2018-2021), PI

TUBITAK ARDEB 1001, “The effect of TRAIL on M1, M2a, M2c polarization of human macrophages”, (2018-2021), PI

Science Academy BAGEP, “The effect of ABCG1 expression in macrophages on macrophage phenotype and human bladder cancer development”, (2018-2020), PI

H2020 MSCA-RISE, “Death receptor signaling in tumor immune editing”, (2017-2022), PI

International L’Oreal UNESCO, “The Molecular Mechanism of the Switch of ABCG1-deficient Macrophages Towards a Tumor-Fighting M1 Phenotype”, (2017-2018), PI

DEU BAP, “The effect of cholesterol on macrophage polarization”, (2017-2018), PI

2236 COFUND-TUBITAK/FP7 Marie Curie, “Role of the cholesterol transporter ABCG1 in tumor associated macrophages in mice and humans”, (2016-2018), PI 

Patent

National patent registration 02. 22. 2021 (no: 2019/10003), “A method for molecular extraction of saponin and the use of active molecules as immunomodulators.

Staff

Active Members

Dr. Duygu Ünüvar
Dr. Aslı Korkmaz
Çağla Niğde
Düriye Nur Dağdelen
Taliha İnan
Serhat Songören

Former Members

Sinem Günalp
Derya Göksu Helvacı
Resul Özbilgiç
Meltem Altunay
Ayşenur Öner