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 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 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. 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 of 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.
Next to this, the UMC Utrecht has been appointed as Center of Expertise for 36 rare disorders by the Dutch ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, sometimes in collaboration with other hospitals. Among these are many Centers of Expertise related tot cancer. In these Centers of Expertise healthcare providers share their (scarce) expertise and experiences with each other, and importantly, they conduct research. Because these disorders are usually so rare in the Netherlands, cooperation at European level is crucial. That happens in European Reference Networks. Together, healthcare providers and researchers ensure good quality care according to the latest medical insights. A golden combination in rare disorders.
Malignant hematology
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Malignant hematology is a member of the European Reference Network EuroBloodNet.
Endocrine tumors
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Endocrine tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EndoERN.
Thyroid tumors
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Thyroid tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EndoERN.
Neuroendocrine tumors
The UMC Utrecht-NKI-AvL Center of Expertise for Neuroendocrine tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.
Gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gallbladder tumors
The Regional Academic Cancer Center Utrecht (RAKU)/Oncomid Expertise Center is a collaboration between several hospitals and an expertise center for treatment and research of cancer in the abdomen (i.e. gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gallbladder tumors).
Testicular and extragonadal germ cell tumors
Together with the Princess Máxima Center, the UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Testicular and Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors is a member of the European Reference Network eUROGEN.
Neuro-oncology and neoplastic skull base disorders
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for neuro-oncology and neoplastic skull base disorders is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.
Head and neck cancer
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Head and Neck Cancer is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.
Familial cancer
The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Familial Cancer is an expertise center for treatment and research of hereditary breast cancer, hereditary breast- and ovarian cancer syndromes, and hereditary site-specific ovarian cancer syndromes.
Lastly, the UMC Utrecht has been acknowledged as Center of Excellence in two cancer-related research areas.
Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence
In January 2021, the University Medical Center Utrecht became the fourth Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence in Europe and the tenth worldwide. The UMC Utrecht has been recognized for their innovative vision and for increasing the synergy among image-guided therapies – incorporating focused ultrasound, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, radiology, and oncology into a single division. The team at the UMC Utrecht is currently using focused ultrasound to treat bone metastases, breast cancer, and uterine fibroids. They are also exploring focused ultrasound for targeted drug delivery, immunomodulation, and opening the blood-brain barrier.
Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence
The UMC Utrecht has been appointed as Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence by the International Cardio Oncology Society and is currently one of the nine international Centers of Expertise.
In a quarterly research meeting, professionals from UMC Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WKZ) and the Princess Maxima Center (PMC) work together to study the cardiac consequences of oncology treatments.
Education uitklapper, klik om te openen
We are involved in 5 PhD programs at the Graduate School of Life Sciences:
Career development uitklapper, klik om te openen
Interested in joining our world leading cancer research or an internship? Have a look at our career opportunities:
Our OncoCareerBoard provides a community and support network for early and mid-career scientists at PhD, post doc and assistant professor levels.
Public engagement uitklapper, klik om te openen
We organize and take part in various activities to connect with society, such as Meet the Professor and Slimme Gasten. 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.
Latest news uitklapper, klik om te openen
New partnership accelerates the development of new cancer therapies
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How do immune cells recognise cancer?
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AI foresees higher risk of breast cancer
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Marcel Kool appointed Professor of Childhood brain tumors
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Leendert Looijenga becomes professor
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Ronald de Krijger becomes professor of pathology
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Overview news items
Upcoming events uitklapper, klik om te openen
- Associate professor lectures (live on YouTube) - April 4, April 18, May 16, 2023
- Strategic Program Cancer Annual Event (internal event) - April 11, 2023
- Oncology conference THINK Utrecht! - June 22, 2023
- PhD defenses - see the calendar of all PhD defenses at Utrecht University
And in case you have missed them, please enjoy the inaugural lectures of all of our recently appointed associate professors on YouTube.
Latest associate professor lecture
The people behind the Program uitklapper, klik om te openen
Prof. dr. Elsken van der Wall
Professor of Medical Oncology
Chair of the Strategic Program Cancer
Profile page
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
Profile page
Prof. dr. ir. Nico van den Berg
Professor of Computational Imaging
Daily board member
Profile page
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
LinkedIn profile page
Dr. Carmen van Dooijeweert
Program manager of the Strategic Program Cancer
LinkedIn profile page
Tessa Lange MSc.
Science communication advisor for the Strategic Program Cancer
LinkedIn profile page
Dr. Claudia Nicolaije
Grant advisor and grant writer (EU)
Research support office
Dr. Sanne Hindriksen
Grant advisor and grant writer (NL)
Research support office
Dr. Carla Pieterman
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