The entire oncology field is getting a huge boost
December 20 is an important day for Dutch cancer research. KWF invests more than 43.7 million euros in a large number of new projects across the country. From laboratory research to the implementation of new care innovations, from childhood cancer to metastatic cancer of unknown origin and from diagnostics to palliative care: the entire field of oncology is getting a huge boost. The new studies will start in 2023.
Scientific KWF director Carla van Gils is eagerly awaiting the results of the new studies: “This year we are going to do something new compared to previous years: targeted funding for themes in which we want to accelerate. Like palliative care. And smart measurement techniques to better monitor the disease. We expect that funding within such themes will enable us to further reduce the impact of cancer. We can do this thanks to our donors. And that fills me with pride.”
In this video, general KWF director Johan van der Gronden surprises three researchers at Erasmus MC with the news that their research is eligible for funding. Below you will find more information about these three studies and a selection of the many other awarded projects.
Detecting cancer of unknown origin
Sometimes cancer comes to light through the discovery of a metastasis, but the source is not found. And therefore also not to quickly start a targeted treatment. Patients with a ‘primary tumor unknown’ (PTO) therefore have a poor prognosis. At Erasmus MC, Dr Sophie Veldhuijzen van Zanten wants to detect the primary tumor using a radioactive tracer and a PET scan. Her goal is to offer patients better treatment options.
Pain relief with mushroom ingredient
Chemotherapy can damage nerve pathways and lead to severe, long-lasting pain (neuropathy). At the Amsterdam UMC, Prof. Markus Hollmann will investigate whether psilocybin, the active substance of magic mushrooms, can help alleviate the complaints.
childhood cancer
Seven new projects will start in the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. Such as research into a new surgical technique with holograms for the optimal removal of kidney tumors. And a follow-up study into the treatment of brain tumors, financed from the proceeds of Alpe d’HuZes. Researchers want to use ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier in order to get medicines to the tumor more effectively. This will hopefully make the treatment more effective.
KWF & Hartstichting join forces against heart failure after cancer treatment
With medication, it is often possible to control non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of lymph node cancer) for years. But at a price: some of the patients develop heart failure as a result of the chemotherapy with a risk of death. Researchers at UMC Utrecht will investigate whether heart damage can be prevented with the drug dexrazoxane. The researchers also hope to be able to predict which patients are most at risk of heart failure. KWF and the Hartstichting are together raising more than 2.3 million euros for a large patient study.
Palliative care
KWF stimulates research in the field of palliative care to provide cancer patients with good care, even in their last phase of life. Within this theme, 3 projects will receive funding for a total of about 2 million euros. This concerns research into a symptom app for children with advanced cancer, research into cognitive behavioral therapy for fatigue and research into better symptom management in patients with bone metastases.
Better lung cancer diagnosis with navigational bronchoscopy
If lung cancer is suspected, lung tissue should be taken. This is currently done via a puncture through the chest wall, with a risk of bleeding or a collapsed lung. Research at Radboud university medical center shows that the new technique ‘navigational bronchoscopy’ is safer and more reliable. This involves carefully navigating to the suspicious spots via the mouth and the airways. With implementation funding from KWF, they want to make this new technology available throughout the Netherlands.
Smart measurement
With targeted funding for research into ‘smart measurement technologies’, new, patient-friendly ways to better control the disease (and any recurrence) become available. At the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, Dr. Saskia Wilting is developing a blood test that indicates whether colon cancer returns after treatment. In the same institute, surgeon Dr. Dirk Grünhagen is working on a way to reduce the number of hospital check-ups after bowel cancer. The idea is to move the follow-up checks to the home situation in a responsible manner, in order to relieve both the patient and the hospital. Patients can draw blood at home and stay in touch with their practitioners via an online platform.
Watch the video here
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