Tumors of the digestive tract About theme

Our mission is to arrive at an optimal classification of patients to improve surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for patients with cancer of the digestive tract.
 
In our theme, we are committed to improving outcome for patients with cancer of the digestive tract. To this end, we aim our research at selecting patients for their personalized trajectory.  We use basic, translational, and clinical research to provide the evidence for this trajectory. This involves surveillance and early detection, optimal diagnosis including molecular analyses and innovative imaging, and innovation in treatment, ranging from improved surgical techniques to immunotherapy.

Objectives

  • We will identify new genes responsible for hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.
  • We will develop strategies for improving detection of hereditary forms of pancreatic cancer.
  • We aim to prevent cancer in high-risk patients using vaccination and lifestyle interventions.
  • We will develop new molecular diagnostic tools to predict tumor response to therapy.
  • We will identify relevant biomarkers for the development of metastatic disease and implement these factors in daily practice.
  • We will develop surgical techniques to optimize patient care.
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Research Themes Tumors of the digestive tract

Tumors of the digestive tract About theme

The mission of this research theme is to arrive at an optimal classification of patients to improve surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for patients with cancer of the digestive tract.

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Theme leader

Iris Nagtegaal MD PhD
full professor

+31 (024) 361 02 29
contact

Lines of research

Discovery of novel genetic and exposure factors

This includes both fundamental research, focusing on intestinal microbiota that drive hereditary cancer, as well as improvement of identification and stratification of patients who develop cancer as a result of these cancer syndromes.

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Discovery of novel genetic and exposure factors

This includes both fundamental research, focusing on intestinal microbiota that drive hereditary cancer, as well as improvement of identification and stratification of patients who develop cancer as a result of these cancer syndromes, as has been successfully achieved for Lynch syndrome patients.
 

Evidence-based pathology

Detection, validation, and implementation of new and classic biomarkers in the different patient cohorts have direct effect on treatment of patients.

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Evidence-based pathology

Detection, validation, and implementation of new and classic biomarkers in the different patient cohorts have direct effect on treatment of patients. This topic together with the previous research line come together in the Laboratory for tumor genetics, where patient care is combined with biomarker research.
 

Innovative treatment modalities

Such as organ sparing approaches, novel surgical interventions and local techniques using novel imaging tools.

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Innovative treatment modalities

Innovative treatment modalities, such as organ sparing approaches, novel surgical interventions and local techniques using novel imaging tools.
 

News and agenda

News

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Organization

Researchers Tumors of the digestive tract

See the researchers related to this theme.

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Societal impact

Centers of clinical expertise

Information might be only available in Dutch.

Answers in Dutch

Information on our research can also be found in Dutch on the Nationale Wetenschapsagenda website. The information here answers questions asked by Dutch citizens.

Research group leaders

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Affiliated institutes and centers

Radboud Institute for Health Sciences

Ideally, every procedure in clinical practice and public health should take place based on proof, instead of intuition or 'experience'. Our aim is to innovate and personalize healthcare and public health. read more

Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences

Our main aim is to achieve a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease. By integrating fundamental and clinical research, we obtain multifaceted knowledge of (patho)physiological processes. read more