| The following 4 themes for the research within the Oncology Center exist: * Innovative Cancer Diagnostics. Aim: to explore the (in vivo and/or ex vivo) detection of innovative classification markers for cancer either in body fluids (e.g. serum, stool) or in tumors. The presence of high-tech visualization techniques (PET, SPECT) in combination with better characterization of cell biological tumor characteristics (genomics, proteomics) enables research in visualizing tumor metabolism and drug processing as well as evaluation of efficacy of gene transfer. * Tumor Cell Biology. Aim: to study fundamental aspects of cellular sensitivity and /or resistance to anticancer therapy. Mechanisms are analyzed of endogenous interaction of growth control of tumor cells and normal cell populations and interventions with drugs, genes or cells directed against the tumor. In addition, attention is paid to factors that might increase sensitivity to antitumor therapy, by studying mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy, and by elucidating potential interesting new cellular targets such as the telomerase, p53, Fas and additional signaling pathways. * Genetic Determinants of Cancer Susceptibility and Response to Cancer Therapy. Aim: to identify and characterize low and high penetrance gene mutations involved in cancer susceptibility and response to cancer therapy. Genetic properties and causes of tumors such as lymphomas, lung-, breast-, testicular-, cervical-, colon cancer and soft tissue sarcomas are major research topics. Research is e.g. performed after collecting and analyzing DNA from large patient founder populations in the Northern part of the Netherlands as well as at the gene level. * Interventional Oncology. Aim: to perform early clinical trials on innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Experimental, clinical oncology focuses mainly on the interface between the laboratory and the clinic. Research is directed at tumor prevention strategies with drugs and new anti-tumor treatment modalities. Design of cancer prevention strategies are exemplified by projects that first aim to better define patient populations at increased risk for development of cancer (e.g. hereditary colon / endometrial cancer) and subsequently aim to decrease this risk by chemoprevention. New anti-tumor therapy comprises among others, new anticancer drugs and development of innovative gene therapy. Exploration of these new treatment modalities is increasingly performed in patient populations that are also characterized at the cell biological tumor level, allowing more rational therapy design. At the same time, the oncologists of the University Hospital Groningen are intensively involved in the (design of) cancer treatment protocols for the Northern part of the Netherlands, they coordinate or participate in national as well as international studies e.g. through the EORTC-groups. |
