Specialization
- Clinical trials in head and neck oncology
- Immunotherapy in oral cavity cancer
- Circulating tumor HPV-DNA for early detection of residual and recurrent HPV positive HNSCC
Focus of research
Our Head and neck cancer biology & immunology (HNCBI) research group at the Department of Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as well as the preceding precancerous mucosal changes from which these cancers arise with the ultimate aim to translate research findings to the clinic and improve diagnosis, treatment and surveillance. The major research themes are
- oncogenesis and genomics
- molecular diagnosis, early detection and disease monitoring
- tumor-stroma interaction
- development and evaluation of novel treatments
I started my PhD within the Head and Neck Cancer Biology & Immunology (HNCBI) research group in 2025 at Amsterdam UMC within the framework of Cancer Center Amsterdam. Prior to starting my PhD, I completed my Master's degree in Medicine at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam also in 2025. During my master's programme, I spent nine months in Boston conducting research at the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery of Harvard Medical School (USA). My research was clinically oriented and focused on transoral robotic surgery, functional outcomes following reconstructive surgery, and novel reconstructive techniques. Following this research internship, I applied for and was awarded a PhD position at Amsterdam UMC.
My main research in the HNCBI research group is focused are two clinical trials in head and neck cancer oncology. The first clinical trial I am involved is the FLUID2 trial, an extension of the FLUID1 trial, in which I investigate the early detection of residual disease or recurrence in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck cancer through the analysis of circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPV-DNA) in plasma. Since June 2025, I have been conducting this prospective longitudinal clinical research. We aim to include a total of 480 patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with all head and neck cancer services in the Netherlands, and collect plasma samples at baseline and throughout a two-year follow-up period. These multicentre studies are conducted in collaboration with UMC Utrecht.
My second clinical trial I am working at, is the ROCinIT study, in which I investigate neoadjuvant immunotherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. This study evaluates the efficacy of combination immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab, in which ipilimumab is administered through direct intratumoral injection.
Additionally, I molecularly characterize discordant HPV-associated tumors to improve our understanding of this unique subgroup of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). I also investigate HPV lineages and sublineages over time in HPV-positive OPSCC to better understand the marked increase in the incidence of HPV-associated OPSCC observed over recent decades. In addition, we develop novel treatments for minimal residual disease detected by plasma. ctDNA in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Through this research, we aim to improve the diagnosis, disease monitoring and treatment head and neck cancer. After my PhD I aim to become a resident in training in otolaryngology.