Researcher Spotlight: Herman van Besien, MD

weill cornell medicine

Specialized immune cells from healthy donors who have previously been infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can be used to treat and kill cancer cells in patients with EBV-related lymphomas. Some subtypes of EBV-related lymphoma, such as Burkitt lymphoma, are poorly targeted by these therapies, and Dr. van Besien’s research is aimed at understanding how to enhance the efficacy of treatment in these settings. “We have discovered that a drug called decitabine can partially make these less-immunogenic cancers more susceptible to immune cell attacks by directing the virus to create more viral proteins that can be recognized by EBV-specific immune cells,” he explains. “Unfortunately, this effect is often incomplete, and the immune cells don’t always work as well as hoped.” Dr. van Besein and his colleagues have identified a protein—EZH2—which prevents decitabine from inducing the production of EBV proteins. He is therefore investigating whether combination treatment with decitabine and EZH2 inhibitors can enhance the efficacy of EBV-specific immune cells in lymphoma treatment. “By testing this new drug combination, we hope to enhance the effectiveness of this exciting new therapy and expand it to all EBV-related lymphomas.”

Dr. van Besien’s interest in lymphoma research began early in his career as a research technician studying novel potential treatments for Burkitt lymphoma and was strengthened throughout his medical training. “I came through medical school and residency at a time when immunotherapy had solidified itself as a true fourth pillar in cancer therapy, and I developed a clinical interest in adoptive T-cell therapy,” he explains. “My project on EBV-directed T-cell therapy marries my twin passions for cellular therapy and lymphoma.” 

Dr. van Besien’s commitment to advancing treatment options for lymphoma patients is inspired by the dedication shown by his parents. “I am a second-generation hematologist—both of my parents are in the field,” he says. “They never pushed me into the medical profession, but they inspired me with their never-ending compassion for their patients.”

“That is ultimately what this work is all about,” he adds. “Finding newer and better treatments for patients.”