Luxembourg Institute of Health Student Awarded Marian Aldred Grant to Advance Research on CAR-NK Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer

On March 12th, Nil Karaarslan, Master’s student in the Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression (CCP) group of the LIH Department of Cancer Research (DoCR), was awarded the ‘Marian Aldred Award’ by Think Pink Lux (TPL) in support of her innovative research on genetically engineered NK cells. The symbolic €30,000 cheque was presented to the recipient during a ceremony that took place at the premises of the LIH in the presence of Carrie Cannon, Director and founder of TPL, Freda Deed and Mandy Cameron from the TPL committee.

(IN BRIEF) A Master’s student at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, Nil Karaarslan, has been awarded the Marian Aldred Award by Think Pink Lux in recognition of her research into genetically engineered Natural Killer cells for breast cancer treatment. The €30,000 grant will support Karaarslan’s project within the Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression research group, which studies how CAR-NK cells interact with tumor cells and whether structural changes in cancer cells influence the effectiveness of these emerging immunotherapies. The research focuses on how cancer cells reorganize their actin cytoskeleton to evade immune detection and whether this mechanism can also weaken CAR-NK cell activity. By examining how the stiffness and structural dynamics of tumor cells affect immune responses, the project aims to improve understanding of CAR-NK–based therapies and contribute to the development of more effective immunotherapy strategies for breast cancer.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 13-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Luxembourg Institute of Health announced that Nil Karaarslan, a Master’s student working within the Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression (CCP) research group in the institute’s Department of Cancer Research, has received the Marian Aldred Award presented by Think Pink Lux.

The distinction was formally presented on March 12 during a ceremony held at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, where a symbolic €30,000 grant was awarded to support Karaarslan’s research into genetically engineered Natural Killer (NK) cells designed to detect and attack tumor cells. The award was handed over in the presence of Carrie Cannon, founder and director of Think Pink Lux, along with members of the organization’s committee, including Freda Deed and Mandy Cameron.

The funded research focuses on CAR-NK cells, a form of immunotherapy involving NK immune cells that are genetically modified to identify and eliminate cancer cells, particularly in the context of breast cancer. The project aims to deepen scientific understanding of how these engineered immune cells function and how their activity can be optimized for therapeutic use.

Previous work conducted by the CCP research team has demonstrated that tumor cells can evade immune destruction by altering their internal structure. Specifically, cancer cells may reorganize their actin cytoskeleton when they come into contact with NK cells, creating a mechanism that allows them to resist immune attack.

Karaarslan’s research addresses this challenge through two main objectives. First, the project seeks to determine whether the actin cytoskeleton remodeling observed in cancer cells can also reduce the effectiveness of CAR-NK cells. Second, it will explore how the mechanical properties of tumor cells, including their stiffness, influence the ability of CAR-NK cells to recognize and destroy them.

Karaarslan explained that the work aims to advance understanding of how CAR-NK therapies interact with cancer cells and whether tumors may develop resistance mechanisms against these innovative treatments. By examining how structural and mechanical changes in cancer cells influence immune responses, the research seeks to contribute to improving CAR-NK–based immunotherapies for the treatment of breast cancer.

Carrie Cannon of Think Pink Lux emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting emerging researchers working in areas that could ultimately benefit patients affected by breast cancer. She noted that funding promising young scientists plays an important role in advancing research and fostering new therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Clément Thomas, head of the CCP group, expressed appreciation for the continued support from Think Pink Lux. He highlighted that the organization’s ongoing contributions have enabled young researchers within the institute to pursue innovative projects aimed at developing new treatment strategies for breast cancer.

Media Contact:

Clément Thomas
Group Leader, Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression

SOURCE: Luxembourg Institute of Health