The Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) has awarded two researchers the Koningin Wilhelmina Onderzoeksprijs (KWO) a research grant worth two million euros. During the award ceremony, the four KWO research prizes that were announced last year were also officially awarded. Professor Hans Clevers, who is director of the Hubrecht Institute, was one of last year’s KWO winners.
Professor Clevers has now received his KWO award officially. He is planning to use the two million euro grant for research into more effective treatment for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer develops when there is unlimited cell division in the intestinal tissue -- a process caused by so-called stem cells. However it is not known what exactly causes the stem cells to change and at what point they progress to unlimited cell division that causes cancer. Finding the answers to the above questions is essential in order to have a better understanding of colorectal cancer. Clevers and his research group have developed a new technology that makes stem cells visible. This means that the stem cells and their development can be easily studied. With the new technology and the knowledge of the genes involved, a step in the right direction towards explaining how colorectal cancer occurs has been taken. The possibilities of developing more effective treatment for colorectal cancer are currently being investigated. Clevers will use the 2 million euros grant to further this research.