Ingrid Desar appointed as Professor of Innovative Sarcoma Care

Medical oncologist Ingrid Desar has been appointed Professor of Innovative Sarcoma Care at Radboud university medical center / Radboud University. Desar specializes in sarcomas and early-phase experimental treatments, particularly Phase I clinical trials. Her main focus is bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care: ‘I want to bring research findings from the lab directly into clinical practice, especially for patients with rare cancers like sarcomas.’

Sarcomas are rare, malignant tumors that originate in the body’s connective and supportive tissues, such as muscle, blood vessels, fat, or bone. In the Netherlands, approximately 1,500 patients are diagnosed with a sarcoma each year. Care for these patients is centralized, and a multidisciplinary team of experts develops a personalized treatment plan. Due to the rarity and diversity of sarcoma subtypes, treatment options often lag behind those available for more common cancers. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’, that certainly applies here. That’s exactly why I feel a strong responsibility to provide these patients with the best possible care and access to research. My own research focuses, among other things, on finding ways to stimulate immunotherapy in specific sarcoma types,’ says Desar.

Phase I research

In her new role as professor, Desar brings together two key areas: sarcoma patient care and Phase I research. She explains: ‘In this phase, innovative drugs are tested for the first time in patients who no longer have standard treatment options. Since sarcoma patients often have limited conventional options, they may qualify relatively early for these trials. We’re gaining increasingly detailed insights into tumor characteristics and how drugs can target them. These are the treatments of the future.’

Advancing access to the right care

Desar also aims to streamline sarcoma care nationwide. Currently, patients may face delays or receive suboptimal treatment decisions. ‘I want patients to receive the right diagnostics and care from the moment a sarcoma is suspected. Whenever possible, close to home, but always with the involvement of a sarcoma center of expertise. And when needed, directly within such a center. This requires collaboration with regional hospitals and other sarcoma centers of expertise,’ Desar emphasizes. We closely involve the patiënt advocacy group ‘Patiëntenplatform Sarcomen’ in this process; after all, we want care to be tailored to the needs of patients,' says Desar.

Career

Desar graduated cum laude in medicine in 2004 and earned her PhD cum laude in 2010 with her dissertation Advanced monitoring of targeted therapy in cancer, conducted within the Phase I Unit at Radboud university medical center. Since 2013, she has worked as a medical oncologist specializing in sarcomas and Phase I trials. She also serves as chair of the Dutch Sarcoma Group. In addition to patient care and research, she trains the next generation of medical oncologists. Her appointment as professorship began on August 1, 2025 and will last for five years. Her inaugural lecture is scheduled for march 20, 2026.

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