KWF  announced 34 research projects that will receive funding in its latest round — including 8 projects involving CCA researchers! The funded studies cover a wide range of important questions: from improving the early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer, to developing smarter immunotherapies and more precise treatments with fewer side effects. In total the researchers received an impressive €6.783.846!

We are proud to see CCA researchers contributing to this new wave of cancer research, bringing promising ideas one step closer to better care for patients.
A huge thank you to KWF Kankerbestrijding and Alpe d'HuZes for making this research possible!





1. Head and neck cancer: life 10 years after diagnosis (Femke Jansen)

Every year, more than 3,000 people in the Netherlands are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth or throat. Treatment can be intensive, with long-term problems such as pain, fatigue, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing or speaking.

This study looks at people who are still alive more than 10 years after diagnosis. Which problems remain, which develop later, and which are part of normal ageing?




2. Fewer unnecessary colonoscopies after polyps (Evelien Dekker)

After bowel polyps are removed, many people undergo regular follow-up colonoscopies. These procedures can be burdensome and costly, while many patients may have no higher risk of colorectal cancer than the general population.

This study links national screening data with a large database to identify which patients truly have an increased risk and need continued follow-up.

 

3. A new CAR-T treatment for aggressive brain cancer (Maria Themeli)

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer and has a poor prognosis. CAR-T cell therapy already works well in some blood cancers, but not yet in glioblastoma.

This study develops a new CAR-T therapy with a “double attack”: T cells are designed to recognise two targets mainly found on glioblastoma cells. If successful, this could lead to a first clinical trial in patients.


4. Safer and more effective immunotherapy before melanoma surgery (Mariette Labots)

In stage III melanoma, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Patients often receive immunotherapy before surgery. This works well for many people, but can cause serious and sometimes lasting side effects.

This study tests a new approach in which a low dose of an additional drug is injected near the lymph nodes, together with a substance that stimulates the immune system.

The aim is to strengthen the immune response around the tumour while reducing side effects in the rest of the body.


Jan Paul Medema Cancer Center Amsterdam, Executive Board member

5. A new targeted treatment for colorectal cancer: GTX-196 (Jan Paul Medema)

Colorectal cancer is often treated with drugs such as 5-FU, but these do not work for everyone and can cause serious side effects.

This study investigates GTX-196, a new drug that blocks the enzyme DHODH. It targets a weakness in cancer cells by interfering with the way they produce the building blocks needed to make DNA.


6. Pancreaticoscopy: more precise surgery for pancreatic cysts (Marc Besselink)

Some pancreatic cysts can develop into pancreatic cancer and may require surgery. However, it can be difficult to see exactly which part of the pancreas is abnormal.

In this study, surgeons use a very thin camera inside the main pancreatic duct during surgery (pancreaticoscopy). This helps them locate abnormalities more precisely, preserve healthy pancreatic tissue and reduce the risk of disease returning.


7. Why immunotherapy often works less well in stomach cancer (Sofía Ibáñez Molero)

Immunotherapy is often less effective in stomach cancer than in other cancers. Researchers think this may partly be caused by a sugar structure on tumour cells called the STn antigen.

STn may suppress the immune system, making it harder for immune cells such as T cells to attack the tumour. This study investigates which immune cells are involved and how they interact with each other.


8. Better risk prediction for pancreatic cysts using cyst fluid (Michaël Noë)

Most pancreatic cysts are harmless, but a small number can develop into cancer. At present, it is difficult to predict which cysts are dangerous. As a result, some people undergo major surgery unnecessarily, while in others treatment may come too late.

This study looks for markers in cyst fluid that can predict cancer risk, focusing on DNA changes that occur as healthy cells become cancerous.