Dr. Boudewijn Plaat

Over the past 20 years, head and neck cancer cases in the Netherlands increased by 34% to 3,283 in 2022, creating pressure on specialized care. Patients require frequent follow-ups at head-neck oncology centers (HHOCs), totaling 30,000 visits annually. To reduce burden and costs, this project explores AI-assisted telemedicine: local ENT specialists perform flexible laryngoscopy, send images to HHOCs, and use AI for cancer detection. Initially focused on laryngeal cancer, the approach aims to improve accessibility, sustainability, and patient satisfaction. Research will assess feasibility, reliability, and patient experience, with expected outcomes of reduced travel, equal care quality. https://www.kwf.nl/onderzoek/onderzoeksdatabase/ontwikkeling-en-toepassing-van-kunstmatige-intelligentie-voor-detectie

Dr. Peter Dendooven

Two innovative techniques for individual quality control during proton therapy are being developed at UMCG. The next step is validating these methods in clinical practice through a well-prepared study. Quality control is crucial for safer, more effective treatments, reducing radiation to healthy tissues, minimizing side effects, and improving quality of life. It enables higher tumor doses without increasing risk, potentially shortening treatment and lowering costs.This project will analyze market, regulatory, clinical, and technical aspects to create a comprehensive report for a public-private partnership. Ultimately, validation and commercialization could make these techniques widely available within 10 years.

Dr. Arjan Diepstra

Pathologist Arjan Diepstra received a €687,314 grant from KWF Kankerbestrijding to develop safer treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer mainly affecting young adults. Current therapies, though effective, often cause severe long-term side effects such as heart and lung damage, infertility, and secondary cancers. Diepstra’s research targets tumour-immune interactions, focusing on how Hodgkin lymphoma cells manipulate CD4 T-cells to support tumour growth. Using advanced technologies like single-cell analysis and spatial transcriptomics, the team aims to design therapies that block these harmful interactions. The goal is to create treatments as effective as chemotherapy but with fewer side effects, progressing to clinical trials. https://umcgresearch.org/w/pathologist-arjan-diepstra-receives-kwf-grant-for-hodgkin-lymphoma-research

UMCG is joining a European study on hospital-produced CAR-T cell therapy for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose cancer has recurred or is resistant to chemotherapy. Funded by a €9.3 million grant from KWF, the study led by Spanish researchers aims to validate point-of-care CAR-T production as a faster, cheaper alternative to commercial options. Unlike the current 4–6 week process, in-house production takes only seven days and costs three times less. Patients will be treated in Groningen and Nijmegen, with collaboration across European centers. If successful, EMA approval could follow, enabling insurance reimbursement and broader access to this life-saving immunotherapy. https://umcgresearch.org/w/9.3-million-kfw-grant-for-car-t-cell-therapy

Prof. dr. Marcel van Vugt and dr. Bert van de Kooij

Marcel van Vugt and Bert van de Kooij have received a €205,000 KWF grant to study unknown mechanisms causing DNA errors, which increase cancer risk and offer therapeutic targets. Homologous recombination (HR) is a key DNA repair process; defects therein, such as caused by BRCA 1/2 mutations, raise breast and ovarian cancer risk. Many tumors show HR defects without known genetic causes. Identifying genes that impair HR is clinically significant, as HR-deficient tumors respond to PARP inhibitors, drugs that block DNA repair in cancer cells. The researchers will focus on FIRRM and FIGNL1 and conduct genome-wide searches for related genes to expand treatment options. https://umcgresearch.org/w/kwf-grant-for-marcel-van-vugt-and-bert-van-de-kooij

Prof. dr. Rob Coppes

Advances in radiotherapy have improved survival for head and neck cancer patients, but many suffer lifelong side effects. About 40% develop radiation-induced hyposalivation and permanent dry mouth (xerostomia) due to salivary gland damage, severely impacting quality of life. Research in the KWF project STOPXERO identified accelerated cellular aging as a key contributor and discovered a novel strategy to remove senescent cells from irradiated glands, promoting tissue recovery. This Proof-of-Concept project will assess the health-economic impact and business case for this therapy. Expected outcomes include intellectual property protection to enable clinical investment and evaluation of cost-effectiveness for future implementation. https://www.kwf.nl/onderzoek/onderzoeksdatabase/stopxero-poc-opruiming-van-senescente-cellen-ter-behandeling-van-door

Dr. Peter van Luijk

Radiotherapy for thoracic tumors, such as lung and esophageal cancer, often exposes the heart and lungs to radiation, causing cardiac dysfunction and sometimes death. Current technologies cannot fully prevent this. Previous animal studies showed short-term Ambrisentan and Sildenafil reduce early radiation damage, while long-term Captopril prevents late damage. However, prolonged use of Ambrisentan and Sildenafil caused side effects. This project will test whether combining short-term Ambrisentan/Sildenafil with long-term Captopril safely prevents both early and late heart damage. Using animal models, researchers will assess safety, mechanisms, and efficacy. If successful, this approach could improve survival and quality of life for patients. https://www.kwf.nl/onderzoek/onderzoeksdatabase/veilig-en-effectief-voorkomen-van-hart-en-longbijwerkingen-met-behulp

Dr. Valerie Wiersma has received Veni funding from NWO to advance her research on improving CAR-T cell therapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CAR-T therapy, a breakthrough for end-stage patients, uses genetically modified immune cells but is effective in only about 50% of cases.Wiersma’s project, SUGAR-CAR-T, explores the role of glycosylation - “sugar decoration” - on CAR T cells, which influences immune responses. By identifying optimal glycosylation patterns, she aims to develop enhanced CAR-T cells with greater efficacy. This research could significantly improve treatment outcomes and offer new hope for DLBCL patients over the next three years. https://umcgresearch.org/w/veni-grants-for-research-into-adhd-and-car-t-cell-therapy

Prof. dr. Philip Elsinga from UMCG’s Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging department has received an €868,256 NWO grant to develop targeted cancer therapies using theranostic twins—paired diagnostic and therapeutic tracers. This approach combines fluorine-18 PET tracers for imaging with alpha- or beta-emitting radionuclides for therapy, ensuring precise tumor targeting and minimizing harm to healthy tissue. By eliminating differences between diagnostic and therapeutic agents, patients can be accurately selected for optimal treatment. UMCG and Erasmus MC will develop and test these twins, with the best candidate advancing to a first-in-human clinical trial. The project aims to improve cancer treatment accuracy and outcomes. https://umcgresearch.org/w/large-grant-from-the-nwo-for-development-of-targeted-cancer-therapies

Prof. Bart van de Sluis from UMCG’s Department of Pediatrics has received a € 426,121 NWO grant to study postnatal liver development and its link to liver cancer. After birth, the liver continues to grow until reaching optimal size and can regenerate after damage by producing new cells. This process is tightly regulated, but when regulation fails, severe liver damage and cancer can occur. The research aims to uncover mechanisms controlling liver growth and repair, and how their disruption contributes to cancer. Insights from this study could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating liver disease and liver cancer. https://umcgresearch.org/w/nwo-grant-for-research-on-postnatal-liver-growth-and-liver-cancer

Dr. Pieter van der Zaag and his colleagues received the UMCG research innovation award of €50.000 for discovering a method to use imaging and artificial intelligence to determine the borderline areas of a tumour. They have applied for a patent for this, so they cannot give much more information about it yet. The researchers want to combine their method with another innovation, also developed in Groningen, in which drugs are activated very locally using light. They hope to be able to show that the two methods can be combined to treat bacterial infections during operations on, for example, knees or hips. https://umcgresearch.org/w/200-000-euros-for-four-ambitious-and-innovative-umcg-employees

Dr. Lisanne van Dijk received a UMCG Impact Accelerator Grant of €40.000 for her project RT-GUART: RadioTherapy GUidance tool to Avoid Radiation-induced Toxicities.

Yousra Zeinelabdeen (supervisors: dr. Edwin Bremer and dr. Valerie Wiersma) was awarded a four-year scholarship for her project “Different(iation) sugars: investigating the reciprocal relationship between CAR-T cell differentiation and glycosylation.”

Trupthi Joshi (supervisors: Prof.dr. Marco Demaria and Prof. dr. Tom van Meerten) was awarded a four-year scholarship for her project “Engineering CAR-T cells to target therapy-induced senescent cells in chemotherapy-treated glioblastoma.”

Protyon, a UMCG spin-off, is coordinating the €1.8 million DELPHI project funded by the Just Transition Fund(SNN) to advance personalized lung cancer treatment. In collaboration with UMCG, University of Groningen, and Health-Ecore, the project uses molecular modeling and computational analysis to create 3D models of cancer-driving proteins, enabling patient-specific therapy recommendations. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with 13,000 new cases annually in the Netherlands. DELPHI aims to improve outcomes and reduce costs through precision medicine. The consortium officially launched on December 4, marking a major step toward innovative, personalized oncology solutions for society. People involved include: UMCG (Craig Grove, Anthonie van der Wekken and Anke van den Berg), RUG (Matthew Groves) as well as Health-Ecore BV (Simon van der Pol) and Protyon (Rositsa Jordanova). https://umcgresearch.org/w/umcg-and-protyon-collaborate-on-the-delphi-project-to-revolutionise-lung-cancer-treatment-with-personalized-oncology

Arjen Cleven from UMCG’s Pathology and Medical Biology department has received a €297,565 Hanarth Fonds grant to improve classification of craniofacial fibro-osseous bone tumors using artificial intelligence. These tumors show diverse clinical behavior, ranging from indolent growth to aggressive metastasis, but current diagnostic tools are limited due to similar histological appearances. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper treatment and prognosis. Cleven’s research will apply deep learning models to classify whole slide images of stained tissue samples, integrating AI into multidisciplinary diagnostics. This innovative approach aims to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly for challenging cases such as osteosarcomas. https://umcgresearch.org/w/297565-hanarth-fonds-grant-on-classifying-craniofacial-bone-tumors-using-artificial-intelligence

Dr. Lara Barazzuol has received $1.2 million as part of the $5 million BRAINatomy 2 project funded by Stand Up To Cancer® and Cancer Research UK. The international consortium aims to improve cognitive outcomes in children treated with radiotherapy for brain and CNS tumors. While survival rates approach 80%, radiotherapy often causes irreversible cognitive and endocrine side effects. UMCG will conduct preclinical studies on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and neuroimmune response, exploring interventions and strategies to spare critical brain regions. The project also integrates machine learning to map radiation-induced deficits, collaborating with leading centers in Europe and the US. https://umcgresearch.org/w/brainatomy-2-project-to-optimize-cognitive-outcome-in-paediatric-brain-tumour-patients

Prof. dr. Philip Elsinga, professor of PET Radiochemistry at the Department of Nuclear Medicine and U.S.-based SHINE have received €10.5 million to develop nuclear cancer medicines at a new isotope facility in Veendam. The funding focuses on terbium isotopes, which can both detect and treat metastatic cancer by binding to tumor cells and destroying them with radiation. Producing terbium requires a particle accelerator and neutron source, and extensive research will precede clinical use. Terbium-161 has shown potential to extend survival, improve quality of life, and reduce side effects compared to current treatments. The facility will make the Netherlands less dependent on foreign suppliers and accelerate innovation in cancer diagnostics and therapy. The subsidy has been awarded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) program. https://nieuws.umcg.nl/w/subsidie-ontwikkelen-medische-isotopen

Prof. dr. Peter van Ooijen

Chair: AI in Radiotherapy

Prof. dr. Peter van Ooijen highlighted during his inaugural lecture the importance of safeguarding legal and ethical boundaries when using AI for tasks such as delineating tumours and predicting treatment outcomes and side effects. By addressing these aspects, the future holds the potential for adaptive radiotherapy, where treatments can be continuously refined in real-time using AI-based algorithms. https://umcgresearch.org/w/ai-and-radiotherapy-defining-boundaries-and-predicting-the-future-peter-van-ooijen-oratio-minute

Prof. dr. Bart van de Sluis

Chair: Molecular Genetics and Translational Biology

Prof. dr. Tom van Meerten was awarded the Swammerdam Prize at the national Haematology Days for his major contribution to CAR-T cell research in the Netherlands. The prize consists of a certificate plus 40,000 euros. The Dutch Society for Haematology awards this prize once every two years to a talented researcher.

On February 29, 2024, the EU-funded NuCapCure project launched in Oslo to revolutionize glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)treatment. GBM, the deadliest brain cancer, has a five-year survival rate of only 6%, despite surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. NuCapCure, supported by €5.9 million from the EIC Pathfinder programme, unites seven European institutions, including UMCG. The consortium will develop multimodal therapies combining proton therapy, boron neutron capture therapy, and photosensitiser activation. UMCG’s PARTREC will design irradiation modalities, including FLASH ultra-high dose-rate techniques, and conduct preclinical studies on GBM models.This innovative approach aims to create cancer-specific treatments that spare healthy tissue and improve survival. More information can be found on https://nucapcure.eu

https://umcgresearch.org/w/nucapcure-project-launches-to-develop-tailored-multimodal-treatments-for-gbm-brain-cancer

https://umcgresearch.org/w/project-nucapcure-kick-off

Research led by general practitioner Mariken Stegmann and international collaborators shows menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is not universally contraindicated after cancer. While moderate evidence advises avoiding MHT for breast cancer(especially estrogen receptor-positive), uterine sarcomas, and certain ovarian cancers, other types—such as endometrial, epithelial ovarian, and lung cancer—pose no significant risk. Non-hormonal options for vasomotor symptoms include SSRIs, SNRIs, anticonvulsants, oxybutynin, clonidine, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnosis; acupuncture and yoga may help. Sexual dysfunction can be managed with lubricants or moisturizers. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for individualized, evidence-based decisions. Early menopause after cancer affects millions, requiring tailored care strategies. https://umcgresearch.org/w/cancer-treatment-induced-menopause-can-be-managed-in-several-evidence-based-ways

UMCG is creating pharmacogenetic profiles for hematology patients to personalize medication dosing based on DNA variations that affect drug response. These profiles, integrated into the “Gen en Geneesmiddel” app, help clinicians predict sensitivity and avoid incorrect dosages, which is critical for cancer treatments like stem cell transplants and CAR-T therapy. Over 125 patient profiles are being developed, and researchers are exploring broader applications for other conditions and healthy individuals through Lifelines data. Studies will assess clarity, willingness to share profiles, and cost-effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to determine whether universal pharmacogenetic profiling improves health outcomes and reduces adverse effects. Researchers involved in this project include dr. Carolien Woolthuis, dr. Jackie Dekens, and Prof. dr. Lude Franke. https://nieuws.umcg.nl/w/dna-medicatieprofiel-voor-hematologie-patient