43.7 million for cancer research and treatment by KWF

The whole field of oncology is getting a huge boost

December 20 is an important day for Dutch cancer research. KWF is investing over €43.7 million in a large number of new projects across the country. From laboratory research to the implementation of new healthcare innovations, from childhood cancers to metastatic cancers of unknown origin and from diagnostics to palliative care: the entire field of oncology is receiving a huge boost. The new studies will start in 2023.

KWF Scientific Director Carla van Gils is looking forward to the results of the new studies: “This year we will do something new compared to previous years: targeted funding for topics where we want to accelerate. Like palliative care. And smart measurement techniques to better monitor the disease. We expect funding under these themes to help us further reduce the impact of cancer. We can do this thanks to our donors. And that fills me with pride.”

In this video, KWF Director General Johan van der Gronden surprises three Erasmus MC researchers with the news that their research is eligible for funding. Below you will find more information on these three studies and a selection of the many other award-winning projects.

Detection of cancer of unknown origin
Sometimes cancer comes to light through the discovery of a metastasis, but the source is not found. And therefore not to start a targeted treatment quickly. Patients with an “unknown primary tumour” (PTO) therefore have a poor prognosis. At the 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 UMC in Amsterdam, Prof. Markus Hollmann will investigate whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help relieve ailments.

childhood cancer
Seven new projects will start in the Princess Máxima Pediatric Oncology Center. Such as the search for a new surgical technique with holograms for the optimal removal of kidney tumors. And a follow-up study on the treatment of brain tumors, financed with the proceeds of Alpe d’HuZes. Researchers want to use ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier in order to deliver drugs 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, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of cancer of the lymph nodes) can often be controlled for years. But at a high price: some of the patients develop heart failure due to chemotherapy with the risk of death. Researchers from UMC Utrecht will investigate whether heart damage can be prevented with the drug dexrazoxane. The researchers also hope they can predict which patients are most at risk of heart failure. KWF and Heart Foundation together raise more than €2.3 million 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 stage of life. Within this theme, 3 projects will receive funding totaling approximately 2 million euros. This includes research on a symptom app for children with advanced cancer, research on cognitive behavioral therapy for fatigue, and research on better symptom management in patients with bone metastases.

Better diagnosis of lung cancer with navigational bronchoscopy
If lung cancer is suspected, lung tissue should be sampled. This is currently done through a puncture through the chest wall, with the risk of bleeding or a collapsed lung. Research at Radboud University Medical Center shows that the new “navigational bronchoscopy” technique is safer and more reliable. This involves carefully navigating to suspicious spots through the mouth and airways. With the 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 will indicate whether colon cancer comes back after treatment. At the same institute, surgeon Dr. Dirk Grünhagen is working on a way to reduce the number of hospital checkups after bowel cancer. The idea is to responsibly shift follow-up checks to the home situation, to relieve both the patient and the hospital. Patients can draw blood at home and stay in touch with their doctors via an online platform.

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