Jan Brancewicz

@cellis.eu

Research Associate Scientist
Cellis

Jan Brancewicz


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https://researchid.co/jjbrancewicz

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Cancer Research
5

Scopus Publications

118

Scholar Citations

4

Scholar h-index

3

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Harnessing macrophage-drug conjugates for allogeneic cell-based therapy of solid tumors via the TRAIN mechanism
    Bartlomiej Taciak, Maciej Bialasek, Malgorzata Kubiak, Ilona Marszalek, Malgorzata Gorczak, et al.
    Nature Communications, 2025
    Treatment of solid tumors remains challenging and therapeutic strategies require continuous development. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages play a pivotal role in tumor dynamics. Here, we present a Macrophage-Drug Conjugate (MDC) platform technology that enables loading macrophages with ferritin-drug complexes. We first show that macrophages actively take up human heavy chain ferritin (HFt) in vitro via macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1). We further manifest that drug-loaded macrophages transfer ferritin to adjacent cancer cells through a process termed ‘TRAnsfer of Iron-binding protein’ (TRAIN). The TRAIN process requires direct cell-to-cell contact and an immune synapse-like structure. At last, MDCs with various anti-cancer drugs are formulated with their safety and anti-tumor efficacy validated in multiple syngeneic mice and orthotopic human tumor models via different routes of administration. Importantly, MDCs can be prepared in advance and used as thawed products, supporting their clinical applicability. This MDC approach thus represents a promising advancement in the therapeutic landscape for solid tumors.
  • Immunotherapy for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer as a Glimmer of Hope
    Jan Brancewicz, Irena Barbara Padzińska-Pruszyńska, Małgorzata Kubiak, Paulina Kucharzewska
    Cells, 2025
    Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with platinum resistance posing a significant challenge. Conventional therapies often fail in these cases, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatment approaches. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy, offering renewed hope for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). This review explores the current landscape of immunotherapies for PROC, discussing different approaches, their mechanisms of action, and the potential for overcoming the limitations of conventional treatments.
  • Adoptive cell therapy with macrophage-drug conjugates facilitates cytotoxic drug transfer and immune activation in glioblastoma models
    Miaomiao Sun, Maciej Bialasek, Maud Mayoux, Meng-Syuan Lin, Alicia Buck, et al.
    Science Translational Medicine, 2025
    The treatment of solid tumors faces substantial hurdles because of inadequate drug delivery and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To address these challenges, we developed a therapeutic platform using macrophages loaded with ferritin-drug conjugates, referred to as macrophage-drug conjugates (MDC), and applied it to glioblastoma, an immunologically cold solid tumor. MDC loaded with ferritin-conjugated monomethyl auristatin E enabled efficient, cell contact–dependent transfer of the payload by a mechanism involving transfer of iron-binding proteins, from either mouse or human macrophages preferentially into glioma cells. This targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated across in vitro coculture systems, ex vivo assays using dissociated glioblastoma patient tumor samples, and in vivo using orthotopic glioblastoma mouse models, all while maintaining a favorable preclinical safety profile evidenced by minimal systemic toxicity and localized drug biodistribution. Beyond direct tumor cell killing leading to significant tumor regression and prolonged survival in these models, MDC therapy reprogrammed the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Immune profiling by spectral flow cytometry revealed enhanced infiltration and activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes while reducing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. This culminated in a robust, durable, T cell–dependent antitumor immune response, the necessity of which was confirmed through studies in immunodeficient mouse models and by lymphocyte depletion, and which conferred protection against tumor rechallenge. The combined cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects highlight the potential of MDC therapy as a promising strategy for glioblastoma treatment and support its further clinical development.
  • The Multifaceted Role of Macrophages in Biology and Diseases
    Jan Brancewicz, Natalia Wójcik, Zuzanna Sarnowska, Julia Robak, Magdalena Król
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025
    Macrophages are highly adaptable immune cells capable of responding dynamically to diverse environmental cues. They are pivotal in maintaining homeostasis, orchestrating immune responses, facilitating tissue repair, and, under certain conditions, contributing to disease pathogenesis. This review delves into the complex biology of macrophages, highlighting their polarization states, roles in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, involvement in cancer progression, and potential as therapeutic targets. By understanding the context-dependent functional plasticity of macrophages, we can better appreciate their contributions to health and disease, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.
  • Emerging macrophage-based therapies for cancer: a review of preclinical and clinical advances
    Jan Brancewicz, Paulina Kucharzewska
    Frontiers in Immunology, 2025
    Macrophages, the most abundant immune cells in many solid tumors, are no longer viewed solely as accomplices of cancer but as powerful therapeutic allies. This review charts the rapid rise of macrophage-based immunotherapies, from CD47/SIRPα checkpoint blockade and CAR-macrophages to macrophage-drug conjugates (MDCs). We emphasize emerging frontiers - RNA-based reprogramming, epigenetic modulation, small activating RNA and circRNA approaches, and macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles - that are redefining how tumor-associated macrophages can be targeted or harnessed. Distinct from earlier TAM reviews, we integrate outcomes from ongoing and completed clinical trials, highlight therapeutic platforms beyond classical depletion and polarization, and frame macrophages not only as targets but also as delivery vehicles. By spotlighting both innovative strategies and the challenges of moving them into the clinic, we aim to provide a forward-looking guide for researchers and clinicians shaping the next generation of cancer immunotherapy.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Isolated targeted delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer
    TB Krol Magdalena, Rygiel Tomasz, Brancewicz Jan, Gabrusiewicz Konrad ...
    EP Patent EP4,637,829 , 2025
    2025
  • Emerging macrophage-based therapies for cancer: a review of preclinical and clinical advances
    J Brancewicz, P Kucharzewska
    Frontiers in Immunology 16, 1679271 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • Immunotherapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer as a glimmer of hope
    J Brancewicz, IB Padzińska-Pruszyńska, M Kubiak, P Kucharzewska
    Cells 14 (13), 995 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Adoptive cell therapy with macrophage-drug conjugates facilitates cytotoxic drug transfer and immune activation in glioblastoma models
    M Sun, M Bialasek, M Mayoux, MS Lin, A Buck, I Marszałek, B Taciak, ...
    Science Translational Medicine 17 (803), eadr4058 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 10
  • Macrophage-based immunotherapy of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
    J Brancewicz, M Bialasek, B Taciak, I Marszalek, K Gabrusiewicz, ...
    Cancer Research 85 (8) , 2025
    2025
  • The multifaceted role of macrophages in biology and diseases
    J Brancewicz, N Wójcik, Z Sarnowska, J Robak, M Król
    International journal of molecular sciences 26 (5), 2107 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 82
  • Harnessing macrophage-drug conjugates for allogeneic cell-based therapy of solid tumors via the TRAIN mechanism
    B Taciak, M Bialasek, M Kubiak, I Marszalek, M Gorczak, O Osadchuk, ...
    Nature Communications 16 (1), 1327 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 14
  • Isolated targeted delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer
    RZ Magdalena Król, Tomasz Rygiel, Jan Brancewicz, Paulina Ochońska, Michał ...
    WO Patent WO/2024/133,541 , 2024
    2024
  • Cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase TENT5A is a global positive regulator of neurohormone expression
    AD Bartosz Tarkowski, Hanna Grzesik, Wiktoria Orzeł, Paweł Krawczyk ...
    Polish RNA Biology Meeting 2023 , 2023
    2023
  • The role of non-canonical poly(A) polymerase TENT5A in osteoblast differentiation
    J Brancewicz
    University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology , 2020
    2020
  • VIII Annual Conference Aspects of Neuroscience Abstract Book
    JC Zuzanna Laudańska, Jan Brancewicz, Magdalena Karpińska
    2018
  • Influence of non-canonical poly(A) polymerase FAM46A on the polyadenylation of hypothalamic and pituitary hormone mRNAs in mice
    J Brancewicz
    University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology , 2018
    2018
  • Abstract P39: Historical Perspectives on Causality in Epidemiology: Friedrich Wolter’s 1925 Description of the Typhoid Fever Epidemic in Anklam
    JB Michał Skoczylas, Piotr Bucichowski
    3rd National Scientific and Training Conference “Vectors and Pathogens … , 2014
    2014

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The multifaceted role of macrophages in biology and diseases
    J Brancewicz, N Wójcik, Z Sarnowska, J Robak, M Król
    International journal of molecular sciences 26 (5), 2107 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 82
  • Harnessing macrophage-drug conjugates for allogeneic cell-based therapy of solid tumors via the TRAIN mechanism
    B Taciak, M Bialasek, M Kubiak, I Marszalek, M Gorczak, O Osadchuk, ...
    Nature Communications 16 (1), 1327 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 14
  • Adoptive cell therapy with macrophage-drug conjugates facilitates cytotoxic drug transfer and immune activation in glioblastoma models
    M Sun, M Bialasek, M Mayoux, MS Lin, A Buck, I Marszałek, B Taciak, ...
    Science Translational Medicine 17 (803), eadr4058 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 10
  • Emerging macrophage-based therapies for cancer: a review of preclinical and clinical advances
    J Brancewicz, P Kucharzewska
    Frontiers in Immunology 16, 1679271 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • Immunotherapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer as a glimmer of hope
    J Brancewicz, IB Padzińska-Pruszyńska, M Kubiak, P Kucharzewska
    Cells 14 (13), 995 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Isolated targeted delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer
    TB Krol Magdalena, Rygiel Tomasz, Brancewicz Jan, Gabrusiewicz Konrad ...
    EP Patent EP4,637,829 , 2025
    2025
  • Macrophage-based immunotherapy of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
    J Brancewicz, M Bialasek, B Taciak, I Marszalek, K Gabrusiewicz, ...
    Cancer Research 85 (8) , 2025
    2025
  • Isolated targeted delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer
    RZ Magdalena Król, Tomasz Rygiel, Jan Brancewicz, Paulina Ochońska, Michał ...
    WO Patent WO/2024/133,541 , 2024
    2024
  • Cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase TENT5A is a global positive regulator of neurohormone expression
    AD Bartosz Tarkowski, Hanna Grzesik, Wiktoria Orzeł, Paweł Krawczyk ...
    Polish RNA Biology Meeting 2023 , 2023
    2023
  • The role of non-canonical poly(A) polymerase TENT5A in osteoblast differentiation
    J Brancewicz
    University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology , 2020
    2020
  • VIII Annual Conference Aspects of Neuroscience Abstract Book
    JC Zuzanna Laudańska, Jan Brancewicz, Magdalena Karpińska
    2018
  • Influence of non-canonical poly(A) polymerase FAM46A on the polyadenylation of hypothalamic and pituitary hormone mRNAs in mice
    J Brancewicz
    University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology , 2018
    2018
  • Abstract P39: Historical Perspectives on Causality in Epidemiology: Friedrich Wolter’s 1925 Description of the Typhoid Fever Epidemic in Anklam
    JB Michał Skoczylas, Piotr Bucichowski
    3rd National Scientific and Training Conference “Vectors and Pathogens … , 2014
    2014

Publications

Sun M, Bialasek M, Mayoux M, Lin MS, Buck A, Marszałek I, Taciak B, Bühler M, Górczak M, Kucharzewska P, Kurpiel D, Siemińska M, Nowakowska J, Brancewicz J, Gabrusiewicz K, Lipiński W, Pfammatter S, Pascolo S, Hutter G, Bodnar L, Snijder B, Regli L, Weller M, Baumgartner M, Tugues S, Rygiel TP, Krol M, Weiss T. Adoptive cell therapy with macrophage-drug conjugates facilitates cytotoxic drug transfer and immune activation in glioblastoma models. Sci Transl Med. 2025 Jun 18;17(803):eadr4058. doi: 10.1126/. Epub 2025 Jun 18. PMID: 40531966.

Brancewicz J, Padzińska-Pruszyńska IB, Kubiak M, Kucharzewska P. Immunotherapy for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer as a Glimmer of Hope. Cells. 2025 Jun 29;14(13):995. doi: 10.3390/cells14130995. PMID: 40643516; PMCID: PMC12248509.

RESEARCH OUTPUTS (PATENTS, SOFTWARE, PUBLICATIONS, PRODUCTS)

Cellis Sp. z o.o. Isolated targeted delivery system for the treatment of ovarian cancer. WO2024133541A1. Published June 27, 2024. Inventors: Król M, Rygiel T, Brancewicz J, Gabrusiewicz K, Lipiński W, Marszałek I, Taciak B. International Application No. PCT/EP2023/087070.