The Clinical Therapy theme studies existing and novel cancer treatments from the fields of medical oncology, surgery, radiotherapy, interventional radiology, gastroenterology and other fields. With a strong focus on personalized treatment, we aim to maximize opportunities for our cancer patients while minimizing the negative impacts of the therapy.

About this Theme

Our research theme is very closely integrated with clinical care. Most of our patients receive treatment within clinical studies often incorporating new and exciting treatment strategies. We strive every day to maximize the possibilities of these novel treatments. At the same time, we aim to minimize the negative impacts of cancer therapies on cancer patients.

Key Strengths

Clinical Therapy is a key strength of Cancer Center Amsterdam. We use cutting edge cancer treatment from the fields of medical oncology, surgery, radiotherapy, interventional radiology, gastroenterology and other fields. In addition, we incorporate nutritional and (pre)habilitation sciences into our personalized patient care. Because Cancer Center Amsterdam is a very large cancer center, we are able to quickly introduce, study, develop and master novel clinical therapies by our first class medical specialists, expert nurses and outstanding researchers who are at the forefront of their fields of expertise, both nationally and internationally.

Research Lines

Research lines within the Clinical Therapy theme include cancers of the head and neck, lung, breast, esophagus and stomach, pancreas, and primary liver and biliary tumors. We also have research lines focused on colorectal, urological, gynecological, neuroendocrine, orthopedic,  hematological cancers, among others. Furthermore, we study liver metastases that arise following primary cancer in a different tissue. These research lines are embedded in cancer-type-specific and high-volume patient research groups, through which we integrate clinical care with clinical therapy research.

For each of these research lines, we focus on novel treatments including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, small molecule inhibitors, minimally invasive surgery (e.g. robot-assisted), neoadjuvant treatment in combination with advanced surgery for locally advanced disease, percutaneous cancer interventional radiology (e.g. cancer ablation) and stereotactic radiotherapy.

Internship Radiotherapy

At the Department of Radiotherapy, research and innovation are driven by a single purpose: improving the lives of patients facing cancer. Every day, our clinical and research teams work side by side to translate advanced technology into better, more personalized care.

Consider a patient with a locally advanced tumor that no longer responds to standard treatment. By combining MRI-guided radiotherapy with hyperthermia, our teams can visualize the tumor in real time, adapt treatment to daily anatomy, and enhance the effect of radiation, turning a limited option into a renewed chance for control and quality of life. These are not abstract concepts, but real clinical decisions made for real patients.

Our department is one of the largest in Europe and equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software. The expertise spans CT-guided radiotherapy, MR-guided radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hyperthermia, clinical physics, and the development of artificial intelligence to support treatment planning and improve outcomes. Our research addresses a broad spectrum of diseases, including breast, gastrointestinal, liver, lung, neurological, pancreatic, sarcoma, and urological cancers, as well as cardiac radioablation. Close collaboration with other departments within Amsterdam UMC creates a vibrant academic environment where innovation rapidly reaches the clinic.

Bachelor and Master students are an integral part of this ecosystem. Internships and thesis projects take place within an active clinical research setting, where you will see how scientific questions arise directly from patient care, and how your work can contribute to better treatments tomorrow.

If you are interested in an internship or in completing your bachelor’s or master’s thesis within the Department of Radiotherapy, please contact us via RTHinternships@amsterdamumc.nl.

Theme Leaders

Principal Investigators

  • Dr. Adriaan Bins

  • Dr. Desiree van den Bongard

  • Dr. Christianne Buskens

  • Prof. Martine Chamuleau

  • Dr. Max Dahele

  • Dr. Suzanne Gisbertz

  • Dr. Roel Hompes

  • Dr. Heinz-Josef Klümpen

  • Dr. Luc van Lonkhuijzen

  • Dr. Roos Pouw

  • Dr. Rogier Voermans

  • Dr. Rob Verhoeven

  • Dr. Petra Kok

  • Prof. Frédéric Amant

  • Prof. Jouke Annema

  • Prof. Bart Biemond

  • Prof. Angela de Boer

  • Prof. Hendrik Jacob Bonjer

  • Prof. Veerle Coupé

  • Prof. Guus van Dongen

  • Prof. Paul Fockens

  • Prof. Tim Forouzanfar

  • Prof. Thomas van Gulik

  • Prof. Gertjan Kaspers

  • Prof. Geert Kazemier

  • Prof. Marie Jose Kersten

  • Prof. Martin Klein

  • Prof. Hans Knoop

  • Prof. Hanneke van Laarhoven

  • Prof. René Leemans

  • Prof. Martijn Meijerink

  • Prof. Tuna Mutis

  • Prof. Donald van der Peet

  • Prof. Suresh Senan

  • Prof. Ben Slotman

  • Prof. Mirjam Sprangers

  • Prof. Noortje Swart

  • Prof. Irma Verdonck-de Leeuw

  • Prof. Henk Verheul

  • Prof. dr. Joost Verhoeff

  • Prof. Hessel Wijkstra

  • Prof. Hanneke Wilmink

  • Prof. Josee Zijlstra

  • Prof. Lia van Zuylen

  • Prof. Sonja Zweegman

  • Dr. Hans Crezee

  • Dr. Eline van Dulmen-den Broeder

  • Dr. Inge Henselmans

  • Dr. Willemien van der Menke van der Houven van Oordt

  • Dr. Bradley Pieters

  • Dr. Jaap Reijneveld

  • Dr. Famke Schneiders

  • Dr. Carlijn Voermans

  • Dr. Peter van Rossum