Think Pink Luxembourg Awards Grant for Cancer Research

Advancing Tumour-Immune Interaction Research to Drive Innovative Cancer Immunotherapies

• Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression
• Department of Cancer Research

Think Pink Luxembourg has awarded €60,000 to Dr. Clément Thomas and PhD student Wanxin Huang for their research on tumor-immune interactions to advance cancer immunotherapy. The grant supports innovative work at the Luxembourg Institute of Health.

Think Pink Luxembourg (TPL) proudly presented a cheque for €60,000 for the Marian Aldred Award to Dr. Clément Thomas and his doctoral student Wanxin Huang at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH). This grant supports research into tumour-immune interactions, aiming to uncover innovative approaches for cancer immunotherapies.

On November 21, Dr. Thomas and Wanxin Huang, a PhD student at the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine (FSTM), received the award. Huang, who earned her Master’s degree from Tongji University, is part of the doctoral training unit CANBIO2, funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and dedicated to advancing cancer research in Luxembourg.

Huang’s PhD research focuses on the immunological synapse—the dynamic interface between cytotoxic lymphocytes and tumour cells. Under Dr. Thomas’s supervision, her work investigates how tumour cells evade immune attacks, with the goal of enhancing immune cell-mediated tumour elimination.

This generous support enables us to deepen our understanding of tumour immune evasion. Our research aims to develop strategies to weaken tumour defences and restore the immune system’s ability to fight cancer,

said Dr. Thomas, Group Leader of the Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression (CCP) group at LIH.

Think Pink Luxembourg highlighted the importance of supporting local research: “We are delighted to empower young researchers like Wanxin Huang and we are extremely grateful to all our donors and sponsors who enable us to continue with Marian’s award,” said Carrie Cannon, Director of TPL.  “2023 and 2024 have been extraordinary years for us, with successful events, such as the Girls on Fire cycle tour in September 2023 and Race For The Cure in both years, where we were able to raise funds for crucial cancer research.  We are also excited to see the evolving research landscape in Luxembourg, especially the patient-centered approach at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), which resonates deeply with the TPL community.”

The Marian Aldred Award, named after a founding member of Think Pink Luxembourg, has supported cancer research since 2012. It reflects the organisation’s mission to advance understanding and care for cancers affecting women.

For more information, visit the CANBIO2 website.

Scientific Contact:
Dr. Clément Thomas
Group Leader, Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression
Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Clement.Thomas@lih.lu

Think Pink Lux contact:
Carrie Cannon
Director, Think Pink Luxembourg
info@thinkpinklux.com