Strategic Program Cancer
Strategic Program Cancer
The Strategic Program Cancer is a world leading platform at UMC Utrecht for cancer research and innovation. We focus on improving the outcome of cancer patients, and those at risk of cancer.

Our vision on cancer research
Our research is cross-disciplinary and includes fundamental, translational, clinical and real world data science. In this manner, we develop and deliver breakthrough innovations in personalized cancer treatment, early diagnosis, prevention and supportive care.
Through innovation and talent management, we stimulate the structural collaboration between researchers and clinicians, with patients and with regional partners.
Our ambitions uitklapper, klik om te openen
- Design precise and personalized interventions based on molecular profiling, immune profiling and imaging
- Enable early diagnosis, in order to prevent or mitigate the disease
- Utilize real life data, advanced disease models and imaging to predict the clinical outcome of interventions
- Translate unique fundamental knowledge into clinical applications with societal impact that sustainable, affordable and accessible
- Develop interventions that ensure high quality of life during survivorship and palliative care
- Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and foster talent
Research themes uitklapper, klik om te openen
The Strategic Program Cancer encompasses 3 research themes:
These research themes connect research and care through the multidisciplinary interaction between fundamental, translational and clinical scientists. This enhances our strong position in molecular, cellular and imaging science and aligns with our unique population, patient cohorts including biobank data and expertise in building and utilizing these data for individualized risk stratification and intervention.
Research groups uitklapper, klik om te openen
Our research groups are sorted by theme (see above). Browse our research themes and take a look at our research groups.
Patient care uitklapper, klik om te openen
In the UMC Utrecht, 13 multidisciplinary tumor working groups have been installed to optimalize patient care paths. Our clinical and translational scientists secure the delivery our research innovations to cancer patients. Not only in the UMC Utrecht, but also in surrounding hospitals whom have united in the regional oncology network Oncomid.
"From our innovative cancer research, we aim to deliver excellent patient care. For this we have created structual cross-links between our research teams and the patients care paths."
- Prof. Elsken van der Wall, chair of the Strategic Program Cancer
Feedback from patients
Our daily board regularly discusses the research strategy with the patient sounding board and various patient advocacy groups. We are very thankful for their involvement and expertise to further sharpen our mission.
Education uitklapper, klik om te openen
We are involved in 4 PhD programs at the Graduate School of Life Sciences:
Career opportunities uitklapper, klik om te openen
Interested in joining our world leading cancer research? Have a look at our career opportunities:
Career development uitklapper, klik om te openen
Our OncoCareerBoard provides a community and support network for early and mid-career scientists at PhD, post doc and assistant professor levels.
Latest news uitklapper, klik om te openen

Technology alone is not enough
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App halves deaths after pancreas surgery
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Predicting whether chemo will be effective for breast cancer
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Further insights into pregnancy-associated breast cancer
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More accurate prediction of skin cancer metastases
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Niels Bovenschen appointed professor of Biomedical Research-based Education
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Overview news items
Upcoming PhD defenses uitklapper, klik om te openen
- May 17 > Bob van Eijkeren: Lipid antigens in adipose tissue: A CD1d centered view on adipocyte - iNKT cell communication
- May 19 > Ellen Scheepers: Frailty and quality of life in older adults with cancer
- May 24 > Anita Werensteijn-Honingh: MR-guided radiotherapy for patients with lymph node oligometastases
- June 2 > Dirk-Jan van Beek: Tailor-made treatment of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- June 9 > Susana Schouten-Patuleia: Early detection of breast cancer by organ-specific and circulatory liquid biopsies
- June 9 > Sander Zijlema: Zien zonder gezien te worden: nieuwe, radiolucente ontvangstspoelen voor MR-linac en PET/MRI
- June 14 > Maureen Groot Koerkamp: MRI guidance for breast cancer radiotherapy
- June 15 > Joanna von Berg: Defining the phenotype - combining phenotypes for discovery of novel genetic associations
- June 28 > Shuang Li: Role of granzymes in cancer development, immunoregulation, and immunotherapy
Upcoming inaugural lectures uitklapper, klik om te openen
- July 7 > Anne May - professor in clinical epidemiology of cancer survivorship
- July 8 > Saskia van Mil - professor of molecular and translational metabolism
- September 7 > Nico van den Berg - professor in computational imaging
Outreach uitklapper, klik om te openen
We organize and take part in various activities to connect with society.
Annual overviews uitklapper, klik om te openen
Our annual overviews illustrate the progress made in cancer research at UMC Utrecht.
Daily board and team uitklapper, klik om te openen
The people behind the Strategic Program Cancer

Prof. dr. Elsken van der Wall
Professor of Medical Oncology
Chair of the Strategic Program Cancer
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Prof. dr. Gerlof Valk
Professor of Endocrinology
Vice-chair of the Strategic Program Cancer

Prof. dr. Susanne Lens
Professor of Genomic Instability
Daily board member

Prof. dr. Jürgen Kuball
Professor of Hematology
Chair of the Hematology Department
Daily board member

Dr. Sjoerd Elias
Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
Daily board member
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Prof. dr. ir. Nico van den Berg
Professor of Computational Imaging
Daily board member
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Dr. Jeroen Hagendoorn
HPB-surgeon
Associate professor of Surgery
Daily board member
Profile page

Dr. Erna Erdtsieck-Ernste
Program manager of the Strategic Program Cancer
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Dr. Carmen van Dooijeweert
Program manager of the Strategic Program Cancer
LinkedIn profile page
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Tessa Lange MSc.
Science communication advisor for the Strategic Program Cancer
LinkedIn profile page

Dr. Claudia Nicolaije
Grant advisor and grant writer
Research support office

Dr. Geraldine Vink
Utrecht Trial Innovation Alliance initiative

Alice Tondeur
Office manager for the Strategic Program Cancer
Contact us uitklapper, klik om te openen
Mail us at: StrategicProgramCancer@umcutrecht.nl
Visiting address:
UMC Utrecht, Stratenum 3.115
Heidelberglaan 100
3584 CX Utrecht