Cum laude PhD defense Marlène Hekman

18 December 2018

On 7 December, Marlène Hekman, theme Urological cancers, has defended her PhD thesis entitled “Tumor-targeted imaging of cancer with radiolabeled and fluorescently labeled antibodies”.

Based on her excellent thesis and performance during the defense, the doctorate was awarded with the distinction 'cum laude'.

The aim of the studies described in this thesis was the clinical translation of targeted imaging using radiolabeled and fluorescently labeled antibodies. By conjugating a radionuclide or a fluorescent molecule to an antibody, a tumor-targeting imaging tracer is created that can be used to visualize tumors. The preclinical studies have shown the additional value of dual-modality imaging in the detection of small tumors in models for colorectal and ovarian cancer. Next, two clinical applications of targeted imaging with girentuximab in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) were described; as a diagnostic tool for ccRCC (89Zr-girentuximab) and for intraoperative guidance of ccRCC resection (111In-girentuximab-IRDye800CW).This thesis shows that sensitive non-invasive or intraoperative imaging techniques can improve the management of patients with cancer. Ultimately, the combination of several intraoperative techniques may deliver the best information to lead patient management in a personalized fashion.

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