The PIs were recently appointed by Amsterdam UMC at Sanguin, Boelelaan or Meibergdreef locations. The newly appointed PIs will pursue their research interests within the three established research programs of Cancer Center Amsterdam: Cancer Biology and Immunology, Imaging and Biomarkers, and Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life. Meet our newly appointed Principal Investigators:
Dr. Kristel van Asselt is a general practitioner and researcher in the department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC.
Her research focuses on the early diagnostics of cancer, plus the follow-up and after care of patients treated for cancer. In addition to her connection with Cancer Center Amsterdam, Dr. van Asselt is also the program leader of Personalized Medicine at the research institute Amsterdam Public Health. This program aims to increase attention to the cultural, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, genetic and psychological diversity in the population. Dr. van Asselt is also committed to reducing smoke addiction in primary care.
For more information, contact Dr. Kristel van Asselt (k.m.vanasselt@amsterdamumc.nl).
Dr. Daniel Martijn de Bruin is a staff member and principal investigator at both the department of Biomedical Engineering & Physics, location Meibergdreef and the department of Urology, location Boelelaan. His work on developing novel light-based, minimal invasive, and high-resolution imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography, con-focal laser endomicroscopy, and fluorescence imaging. These imaging techniques are combined with needle-based focal therapy solutions, like image guided transcutaneous laser ablation for fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition to developing this technology, Dr. de Bruin is improving image quantification to aid diagnosis, and laser ablation dosimetry/treatment planning to optimize treatment outcome.
For more information, contact Dr. Daniel de Bruin (d.m.debruin@amsterdamumc.nl).
Dr. Jan Willem Duitman is an assistant professor at the department of Pulmonary Medicine and the Experimental Immunology (EXIM).
His research mainly focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms driving pulmonary fibrosis in Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). In addition to his research on pulmonary fibrosis, Dr. Duitman is involved in a research project that investigates the role of the transcription factor CCAAT-enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) in pancreatic cancer. His research lab is housed at location Meibergdreef, and he has several collaborations within and outside of the Pulmonary Medicine department at location Boelelaan.
For more information, contact Dr. Jan Willem Duitman (j.w.duitman@amsterdamumc.nl).
Prof. Gerald de Haan is a professor of Molecular Stem Cell Biology, and the Director of Research Sanquin Blood Supply/Department of Hematology Amsterdam UMC.
His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells. Prof. de Haan has a particular interest in identifying the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are associated with dysregulated stem cell self-renewal, either in disease (leukemia) or during normal aging.
For more information, contact Prof. Gerald de Haan (g.dehaan@sanquin.nl).
Dr. Inge Henselmans is an assistant professor in Medical Psychology.
Her research is focused on doctor-patient communication in oncology. Her current work focuses on prognostic communication and shared decision making in palliative cancer care. Dr. Henselmans aims to translate her findings into evidence-based educational intervention for oncologists.
For more information, contact Dr. Inge Henselmans (i.henselmans@amsterdamumc.nl).
Dr. Willemien Menke is a medical oncologist at Amsterdam UMC, location Boelelaan.
She treats patients with breast cancer, endocrine tumors, and patients who want to participate in phase I trials. Dr. Menke’s ultimate goal as an oncologist is to have an effective cancer treatment for every individual patient. In support of this goal, her research efforts are focused on the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, which relies on radioactive tracer molecules to visualize tumors for diagnosis, the development of new treatments, and drug or immunotherapy selection for individual patients. For all these clinical studies, Dr. Menke has very fruitful collaborations with the Departments of Radiology/Nuclear Medicine and Radiochemistry, Pulmonology and Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery in house, as well as with the specialized PET imaging centers in the Netherlands and abroad.
For more information, contact Dr. Willemien Menke (c.menke@amsterdamumc.nl).
Prof. Monique Steegers is an anesthesiologist-pain specialist in the department of Anesthesiology, Pain- and Palliative Medicine, location Boelelaan.
Her research focuses on improving quality of life and support for patients with cancer and their relatives. Prof. Steegers just received a new research grant by ZONmw (November 2021) that aims to improve prevention of opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer in the palliative phase. Her research interests also include the treatment of patients with chemo-induced painful polyneuropathy with duloxetine or capsaicin.
For more information, contact Prof. Monique Steegers (m.steegers@amsterdamumc.nl).
Dr. Sanne Tonino is a staff member of the department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location Meibergdreef.
She conducts research in the field of lymphoproliferative malignancies, especially indolent lymphoma (including CLL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Dr. Tonino is the principal investigator of international projects involving these diseases and participates as national coordinating investigator in several international clinical trials. Related to these projects, she has developed a translational line of research into the interactions of lymphoma cells with the immune system, with the aim of understanding how the immune system can best be used in the treatment of these diseases.
For more information, contact Dr. Sanne Tonino (s.h.tonino@amsterdamumc.nl).
Dr. André Vis is an Associate Professor of Urology.
André Vis leads a research group investigating different lines of research into prostate cancer and bladder cancer. These research lines deal with the clinical application of prostate cancer imaging, such as PSMA PET and PSMA-theranostics. In addition, Dr. Vis develops models of oncological outcome, and is involved in the clinical application of artificial intelligence and the optimalisation of the surgical quality of care.
The research lines on bladder cancer largely deal with the development of prediction models for complete pathological response (cPR) in those who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy prior to radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (KWF-project).
For more information, contact Dr. André N. Vis (a.vis@amsterdamumc.nl)
Dr. Rogier Voermans is a gastroenterologist focusing on Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) diseases and endoscopic interventions. Besides benign pancreatic and biliary diseases, his research concerns:
1. Improving outcome for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, with a main focus on prevention and optimizing endoscopic treatment. Cholangiocarcinoma is a tumor that can arise from bile ducts, which are tiny tubes taking digestive bile from the liver to the digestive tract.
2. Improving outcome for patients with pancreatic and ampullary carcinoma and precursor lesions. Ampullary carcinoma is cancer of the ampulla of Vater, which is the junction of the bile duct and the pancreatic duct that passes through the wall of the small intestine upper region in close vicinity to the stomach.
3. Innovative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound guided endoscopic therapy.
For more information, contact Dr. Rogier Voermans (r.p.voermans@amsterdamumc.nl).