Place of birth: Svitavy, Czech Republic
Date of birth: 24. 07. 1955
Status: Married, 2 children
Nationality: Czech
Citizenship: Czech Republic

Education:
1974–1979: Master studies in Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University (UJEP), Brno, Graduated with Honours.
1980: RNDr. degree in Biochemistry at UJEP
1981–1984: Doctoral studies at the Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Title of CSc. thesis: “Antigenic properties of enzymes. The use of enzymes as antigens in immunodiagnostics”.
1984: CSc. degree in biology

Current position:
Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Previous positions:
1980–1984: Research assistant – Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Immunodiagnostics of helminths.
1984–1995: Senior scientist – Bioenergetics of helminths.
1986–1988: Scientific secretary of the Institute of Parasitology.
2005–2015: Head of the Laboratory of genomics, Core facility of the Biology Centre and University of South Bohemia.
2005–present: Department of Medical Biology – Cancer immunotherapy.
2006–present: Lecturer of Cancer therapy and immunotherapy.

The most important discoveries:
A mixture for tumor immunotherapy based on the synergistic effect of TLR receptor ligands with ligands stimulating phagocytosis of tumor cells was optimized. After a primary attack at the level of innate immunity, this mixture, referred to as MBTA, promotes the involvement of adaptive immunity, the elimination of tumor residues, metastases and the creation of defence against disease recurrence. In addition to the direct effect of intratumoral application, a vaccination method has been developed based on the suspension of tumor cells from the removed tumor or its part in MBTA and subsequent vaccination of the body with this suspension. A patent application has been filed for the use of this product in oncology: Personalized tumor vaccine and use thereof for cancer immunotherapy. Zhuang Z, Medina R, Wang H, Ženka J, Pacák K, HO W. WO2021119376

Synergy was found between the use of MBTA tumor immunotherapy administered intratumorally to the primary tumor with the systemic use of glutamine metabolism inhibitors. This synergy allows for effective therapy of metastasis disease. Its medical use was protected by a patent application: Combination of TLR ligands, compounds labelling tumors for immune attack, anti-CD40 antibodies and inhibitors of glutamine metabolism for treating cancer. Ženka J, Frejlachová A, Lencová R, Uher O. WO 2023/083396 A1

In the treatment of metastatic tumors, the combination of MBTA intratumoral immunotherapy of primary tumors with the application of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) to metastases was optimized, which was covered by a patent application: A pharmaceutical combination for use in the treatment of cancer. Lencová R, Frejlachová A, Ženka J. WO 2024/199557

An effective synergy was found between the application of MBTA to the primary tumor and the systemic application of apoptosis inhibitor blockers (IAPs). The use of this synergy in the therapy of metastatic tumors is protected by filing a patent application: A pharmaceutical combination for cancer immunotherapy. Havlová A, Frejlachová A, Lencová R, Ženka J PCT/CZ2024/050062

Membership:
– Czech Immunological Society

Place of birth: České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Date of birth: 19. 05. 1958
Status: Married
Nationality: Czech
Citizenship: Czech Republic

Education:
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague

Employment:
State Office for Nuclear Safety
Senovážné náměstí 9, 110 00 Prague 1
Regional Office in České Budějovice
Head of the Nuclear Facilities Department

My interest in cancer began during my studies in connection with the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms. Alongside my professional focus on radiation protection, my interest in the use of radiation in medicine has persisted. While radiation can cause cancer, it can also be used to treat it. A much gentler approach for the human body is the use of immunotherapy. This method of treatment led me to collaborate with oncologist František Trnka, whose team I had the honor of joining. The team’s diligent work resulted in the development of a preparation, which was subsequently patented (US patent no. 5858357).

During that time, I met my colleague Jan Ženka, who was involved in certain phases of the research, with part of the study also taking place in laboratories in the USA. Jan then took a completely original path in his research, and I had the opportunity to participate in our collaboration as a complete layman, mainly by providing moral support, securing sponsors, and assisting in the irradiation of cell cultures to explore ways to enhance treatment effectiveness.

The research results indicate an extraordinary efficiency of the cancer therapy presented on our website. Therefore, I urge all readers—both experts and the general public—to contribute, according to their possibilities and abilities, to accelerating the implementation of clinical trials so that this therapy can reach the hands of doctors and benefit the wider public.