The Dutch Cancer Society is committed to fight cancer by scientific research, education, patient support and fundraising in cooperation with volunteers, donors, patients, doctors and researchers. KWF aims to achieve less cancer, more cures and a higher quality of life for cancer patients. “Healthcare is cracking at the seams under the enormous pressure of the corona crisis. Cancer patients are also affected by this. That is why we think it is very important to show that we continue to support cancer research, because our biggest concern is the cancer care of tomorrow.” Johan van de Gronden, Director KWF.
Thanks to Alpe d'Huzes
Gastroenterologist Joep Grootjans' research is also one of the chosen Amsterdam UMC projects. Thanks to Alpe d'HuZes, KWF can finance his research into metastases on the peritoneum. These are often the result of colorectal cancer. Grootjans is investigating whether immunotherapy, i.e. stimulating the patient's own immune system, is a suitable treatment option. By using the very latest techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing, he wants to map the immune system in the peritoneum. In this way he hopes to find leads for immunotherapy.
Other funded Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity projects are:
•Dr. Rieneke van de Ven: Characterization of tumor-infiltrating B cells in oral cavity tumors (€ 779,054.84). Research team: Prof. Ruud Brakenhoff and Prof. René Leemans
•Dr. Marieke Fransen: Arming local lymphoid tissues to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (€ 765,118.00). Research team: Prof. Tanja de Gruijl, Dr. Idris Bahce, and Dr. Febe van Maldegem
•Dr. Joke den Haan: Development of a liposomal vaccine that leads to optimal activation of liver killer T cells and elimination of liver cancer (€ 752,391.03). Research team: Dr. Sonja Buschow*, Dr. Jaap Kwekkeboom*, Dr. Klaas van Gisbergen, Prof. Hans van der Vliet, Prof. Tanja de Gruijl, and Prof. Yvette van Kooyk
•Dr. Richard Groen: The role of the bone matrix proteins in the recovery of multiple myeloma induced bone breakdown (€ 648,845.00). Research team: Dr. Maria Themeli
Young Investigator Grants
Dr. Joep Grootjans received a Young Investigator Grant of € 584,924.90 for his reasearch: Characterization of the human peritoneal immune system to develop new immunomodulatory therapy for peritoneally metastatic colorectal cancer. This research team consists of: Prof. Louis Vermeulen, Dr. Juan J. Garcia Vallejo, and Dr. Jurriaan Tuynman.
You can read more on the KWF webpage and on the Amsterdam UMC webpage.