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Nicolien C. de Clercq is medical oncologist and painspecialist at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, with academic affiliations to the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She obtained her PhD on the role of the gut microbiome in cancer and host metabolism
De Clercq is the first physician in the Netherlands formally trained as both an medical oncologist and a pain medicine specialist. Her research focuses on supportive care in oncology and oncological pain, with particular attention to complex cancer pain, opioid-related toxicity, palliative care, and gut microbiota–immunity interactions. Her work bridges translational research and clinical practice, aiming to improve quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients with cancer through integrated, person-centered care.