Alex Agnew once again supports VUB research on cancer vaccine

Joris Verluyten
Nov 2
2 min read

Extra attention for relapse during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

*From left to right: Elisabeth Rabaey, Damya Laoui, Alex Agnew, Yamina Krossa, Joris Verluyten*

October traditionally marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the most common cancer among women. Although survival rates have improved significantly, the risk of relapse remains high: one in seven women faces a recurrence within ten years. At the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Professor Damya Laoui and her team are working on a groundbreaking cancer vaccine designed precisely to prevent that — and they’re receiving renewed support from comedian Alex Agnew.

Laoui’s research, conducted within the VIB-VUB Center for Inflammation Research, focuses on developing a personalized vaccine that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells early. At the heart of this approach are dendritic cells — the “commanders” of our immune system that coordinate other cells and build a memory against future tumors. In animal studies, this approach has shown great promise: the vaccine effectively prevented relapse and metastasis.

For her innovative work, Professor Laoui recently received the GSK Vaccines Award 2025, recognizing research that brings the future of cancer therapy closer. Still, additional support remains essential. The VUB Yamina Krossa Fund, created to finance this research, has already raised more than €869,000, but funding remains limited.

“The current budget cuts in research funding pose a serious threat to the progress of our work,” says Laoui. “With external support, we can continue developing our therapy and bring it to patients.”

A hero on and off stage

Comedian Alex Agnew is once again lending his support. During his new tour No More Heroes, he is donating €1 per ticket to the Yamina Krossa Fund. Agnew became involved with the VUB research a few years ago after the wife of his podcast partner, Andries Beckers, was diagnosed with cancer. That connection led to a warm collaboration with Professor Laoui.

During his previous tour, Wake Me Up When It’s Over, Agnew made the same donation per ticket — raising more than €100,000, which helped establish a research chair supporting Laoui’s work.

“When I heard about Damya Laoui’s research, I thought: this isn’t some vague charity,” says Agnew. “You can actually see where your money goes. If this research succeeds, it could save millions of lives.”

Those who wish to contribute to the groundbreaking cancer vaccine research can do so via the Yamina Krossa Fund: Yamina Krossa Fund | Vrije Universiteit Brussel