Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment – Diagnosis

The Netherlands Cancer Institute is advancing diagnostic imaging and biomarker strategies to detect cancer earlier and more accurately. Researchers are integrating liquid biopsy and AI‑driven pathology to refine patient selection across tumor types.

  • Development of PET/CT tracers for gastric cancer staging
  • Validation of liquid biopsy for KRAS G12C detection
  • Integration of AI for pathology review
  • Optimization of non‑invasive biomarkers in lung cancer
  • Assessment of imaging techniques for peritoneal metastases

With 62 active trials and over 100 investigators, the site focuses on improving early detection and precise disease monitoring to guide treatment decisions.

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment – Therapeutics

A broad portfolio of studies evaluates novel therapeutic agents and combination regimens, aiming to enhance efficacy while maintaining safety for patients with advanced cancers.

  • Antibody‑drug conjugates in urothelial carcinoma
  • KRAS G12C inhibitors for solid tumors
  • ALK inhibitors for NSCLC
  • HER2‑targeted therapies in breast and gastric cancer
  • CAR‑T approaches for CLDN6‑positive tumors

These trials seek to establish new standards of care by testing breakthrough drugs and immunotherapy combinations across multiple cancer types.

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment – Surgical Procedures, Operative

Surgical innovation is paired with systemic therapy to improve resection outcomes and reduce postoperative morbidity. The institute evaluates both curative and organ‑preserving approaches.

  • HIPEC combined with systemic chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases
  • Neoadjuvant FOLFOXIRI for high‑risk rectal cancer
  • Organ‑preserving surgery after immunotherapy in melanoma
  • Minimally invasive techniques for renal cell carcinoma
  • Surgical validation of intra‑operative imaging agents

The goal is to increase complete response rates and accelerate recovery, supporting patients through multimodal treatment pathways.

Diseases – Digestive System Diseases

Research targets malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, exploring molecularly driven therapies and optimized chemoradiation protocols.

  • Advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal spread
  • Metastatic colorectal cancer with MSI‑H/dMMR
  • Locally advanced rectal cancer
  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
  • Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Trials aim to extend survival and improve quality of life by matching targeted agents to specific genetic alterations in digestive system cancers.

Diseases – Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications

The institute conducts studies on gynecologic and urinary tract cancers, emphasizing therapies that preserve fertility and reduce treatment‑related toxicity.

  • Muscle‑invasive bladder cancer immunotherapy
  • HER2‑positive ovarian cancer combinations
  • Targeted therapy for urothelial carcinoma
  • Radiotherapy alternatives for vulvar cancer
  • Biomarker discovery in gynecologic malignancies

By integrating novel agents and precision diagnostics, these studies strive to achieve durable responses while maintaining patients’ quality of life.

Diseases – Neoplasms

A multi‑basket approach addresses a wide spectrum of solid tumors, linking specific molecular drivers to tailored treatments.

  • KRAS G12C mutant solid tumors
  • BRAF V600E melanoma
  • RET‑mutant medullary thyroid cancer
  • Dedifferentiated liposarcoma
  • ALK‑positive NSCLC

These studies evaluate objective response rates and survival benefits, advancing personalized oncology for diverse neoplastic diseases.

Diseases – Respiratory Tract Diseases

Lung cancer research focuses on overcoming resistance mechanisms and optimizing immunotherapy sequences for both non‑small cell and small‑cell disease.

  • EGFR‑mutated NSCLC after tyrosine kinase inhibitor failure
  • KRAS G12C NSCLC
  • ALK‑rearranged NSCLC
  • Limited‑stage small‑cell lung cancer with atezolizumab
  • Immunotherapy maintenance in advanced NSCLC

The objective is to prolong progression‑free and overall survival while maintaining tolerability for patients with respiratory tract malignancies.

Miscellaneous Research

Additional studies address rare tumors, advanced imaging, and novel therapeutic concepts that do not fit traditional categories.

  • Targeted therapy for desmoid tumors
  • Trials in thymic carcinoma and type B3 thymoma
  • Investigational agents for gastrointestinal stromal tumors
  • Radioligand therapy for neuroendocrine tumors
  • Imaging biomarker development for gastric cancer staging

This flexible portfolio demonstrates the site’s capacity to explore emerging opportunities and address unmet clinical needs across oncology.