The NETHERLANDS CANCER INSTITUTE is a world famous research institute. On the website of the NKI a lot of information on the topics can be found

The Head and Neck Cooperative group is involved in both clinical research as well as translational research.

Clinical and Translational Research Research

The head and neck department at the NKI directs a significant part of its work to research. The goal is to advance the understanding and management of head and neck cancer. The department has a renowned reputation in the field of rehabilitation and quality of life after treatment, especially after laryngectomy (see Rehabilitation after laryngectomy). The provox system is designed and tested in close cooperation with the department, and further improvements are to be expected. In the annual reports, a summary can be found (see NKI-AVL section research). Currently 2 PhD students are working on projects concerning speech and airway improvement after total laryngectomy.

Studies on swallowing rehabilitation using a Kay swallowing workstation and intensive swallowing therapy as well as innovative devices such as the therabite and vitalstim are being studied. 

The departments participate in nation wide studies coordinated by the NWHHT (Netherlands Working Group on Head and Neck Cancer) as well as European studies coordinated by the EORTC. Furthermore, the department coordinates chemoradiation trials using intra-arterial and intravenous cisplatin concomitant with radiotherapy for inoperable tumors (RadPlat) as well as a trial evaluating foscan for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Besides these clinical trials, several related basic research projects are being carried out about expression profiling to establish predictive patterns of gene expression and protein staining for resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (see KWF project summary). There is a close cooperation with the universities of Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Groningen and Leuven (Belgium).

Within the department many prospective and retrospective studies are being performed by the staff, voice therapists, psychologists and residents concerning evaluation of treatment and diagnostics, sentinel node, quality of life and revalidation.

Translational research focuses on the mechanisms of chemo and radiotherapy and the resistance to these modalities. Using innovative techniques, such as micro-arrays, immunohistochemistry, hypoxia assessment and adduct studies, we try to better predict treatment response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Eventually, these studies might lead to more individualized treatment planning.

In cooperation with the Medical Center Free University in Amsterdam (Prof.Dr.Brakenhoff), a project on second primary tumors is being carried out.

In cooperation with several European Centers nasopharyngeal carcinoma ethiology, screening and treatment is studies in Indonesia (coordinated by Bing Tan and partially financed by the Netherlands Cancer Foundation, KWF).

Together with Prof. Marcel Verhey, research in the field of response modifiers is being carried out. Using small molecular drugs, such as perifosine or gossypol, we try to increase the radiosensitivity of tumors.

Translational research is performed in close cooperation with researchers from the laboratories of the NKI : Prof. A.Begg

Medical students from the University of Amsterdam and other  universities often conduct research projects at our department.

For further information, please contact m.vd.brekel@nki.nl