Strategic Program Cancer

The Strategic Program Cancer is a world leading platform at UMC Utrecht for cancer research and innovation. We focus on improving the outcome of cancer patients, and those at risk of cancer.

Our ambitions uitklapper, klik om te openen

Design precise and personalized interventions based on molecular profiling, immune profiling and imaging
Enable early diagnosis, in order to prevent or mitigate the disease
Utilize real life data, advanced disease models and imaging to predict the clinical outcome of interventions
Translate unique fundamental knowledge into clinical applications with societal impact that sustainable, affordable and accessible
Develop interventions that ensure high quality of life during survivorship and palliative care
Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and foster talent

Research uitklapper, klik om te openen

The Strategic Program Cancer encompasses 3 research themes:

Molecular and cellular science and therapy

Risk stratification for individualized interventions

Image science and image-guided interventions

These research themes connect research and care through the multidisciplinary interaction between fundamental, translational and clinical scientists. This enhances our strong position in molecular, cellular and imaging science and aligns with our unique population, patient cohorts including biobank data and expertise in building and utilizing these data for individualized risk stratification and intervention. Our research groups are sorted by theme (see above). Browse our research themes and take a look at our research groups.

Patient care uitklapper, klik om te openen

In the UMC Utrecht, 13 multidisciplinary tumor working groups have been installed to optimalize patient care paths. Our clinical and translational scientists secure the delivery of our research innovations to cancer patients. Not only in the UMC Utrecht, but also in surrounding hospitals whom have united in the regional oncology network Oncomid.

Next to this, the UMC Utrecht has been appointed as Center of Expertise for 36 rare disorders by the Dutch ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, sometimes in collaboration with other hospitals. Among these are many Centers of Expertise related tot cancer. In these Centers of Expertise healthcare providers share their (scarce) expertise and experiences with each other, and importantly, they conduct research. Because these disorders are usually so rare in the Netherlands, cooperation at European level is crucial. That happens in European Reference Networks. Together, healthcare providers and researchers ensure good quality care according to the latest medical insights. A golden combination in rare disorders.

Malignant hematology

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Malignant hematology is a member of the European Reference Network EuroBloodNet.

Endocrine tumors

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Endocrine tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EndoERN.

Thyroid tumors

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Thyroid tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EndoERN.

Neuroendocrine tumors
The UMC Utrecht-NKI-AvL Center of Expertise for Neuroendocrine tumors is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.

Gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gallbladder tumors

The Regional Academic Cancer Center Utrecht (RAKU)/Oncomid Expertise Center is a collaboration between several hospitals and an expertise center for treatment and research of cancer in the abdomen (i.e. gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gallbladder tumors).

Testicular and extragonadal germ cell tumors

Together with the Princess Máxima Center, the UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Testicular and Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors is a member of the European Reference Network eUROGEN.

Neuro-oncology and neoplastic skull base disorders

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for neuro-oncology and neoplastic skull base disorders is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.

Head and neck cancer

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Head and Neck Cancer is a member of the European Reference Network EURACAN.

Familial cancer

The UMC Utrecht Center of Expertise for Familial Cancer is an expertise center for treatment and research of hereditary breast cancer, hereditary breast- and ovarian cancer syndromes, and hereditary site-specific ovarian cancer syndromes.

Lastly, the UMC Utrecht has been acknowledged as Center of Excellence in two cancer-related research areas.

Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence

In January 2021, the University Medical Center Utrecht became the fourth Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence in Europe and the tenth worldwide. The UMC Utrecht has been recognized for their innovative vision and for increasing the synergy among image-guided therapies – incorporating focused ultrasound, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, radiology, and oncology into a single division. The team at the UMC Utrecht is currently using focused ultrasound to treat bone metastases, breast cancer, and uterine fibroids. They are also exploring focused ultrasound for targeted drug delivery, immunomodulation, and opening the blood-brain barrier.

Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence

The UMC Utrecht has been appointed as Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence by the International Cardio Oncology Society and is currently one of the nine international Centers of Expertise.

In a quarterly research meeting, professionals from UMC Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WKZ) and the Princess Maxima Center (PMC) work together to study the cardiac consequences of oncology treatments.

Education uitklapper, klik om te openen

We are involved in 5 PhD programs at the Graduate School of Life Sciences:

Career development uitklapper, klik om te openen

Interested in joining our world leading cancer research or an internship? Have a look at our career opportunities:

Research internships

Research vacancies

Our OncoCareerBoard provides a community and support network for early and mid-career scientists at PhD, post doc and assistant professor levels.

More about the OncoCareerBoard

Public engagement uitklapper, klik om te openen

We organize and take part in various activities to connect with society, such as Meet the Professor and Slimme Gasten. Our daily board regularly discusses the research strategy with the patient sounding board and various patient advocacy groups. We are very thankful for their involvement and expertise to further sharpen our mission.

Latest news uitklapper, klik om te openen

'Working in healthcare is a team sport'

Bacterial metabolites involved in risk of IBD and colorectal cancer

AI helps pathologists at UMC Utrecht detect metastases in breast cancer faster and cheaper

Researcher Justine van der Beek with her publication in front of the WKZ.

Kidney tumors in children: specific diagnosis with MRI

Assumption about cause DNA damage debunked

"I'm a real tech guy"

Overview news items

Stay updated with cancer research at UMC Utrecht

Upcoming events uitklapper, klik om te openen

Associate professor lectures (live on YouTube) - April 4, April 18, May 16, 2023
Strategic Program Cancer Annual Event (internal event) - April 11, 2023
Oncology conference THINK Utrecht! - June 22, 2023
PhD defenses - see the calendar of all PhD defenses at Utrecht University

And in case you have missed them, please enjoy the inaugural lectures of all of our recently appointed associate professors on YouTube.