NWO grant for Frank Nijssen and Sandra Heskamp: Targeting cancer with radiation from within

NWO grant for Frank Nijssen and Sandra Heskamp: Targeting cancer with radiation from within

dr. Frank Nijsen and Prof. dr. Sandra Heskamp will lead a major research project with Perspectief grants from The Dutch Research Council (NWO). This project, called UNRANU, aims towards optimal radiation therapy for tumors from the inside with radioactive substances. 

Program: UNderstanding the RAdiobiology of therapeutic medical radioNUclides (UNRANU)
Program leader: Dr. Frank Nijsen (Radboudumc)
Total budget: 5,3 million euros

About the project

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Most patients with metastasised disease can no longer be cured. So-called radionuclide therapy can substantially improve their survival. Patients undergoing this therapy are administered substances containing radioactive atoms – the radionuclide. These substances will specifically move to and bind to the tumour, irradiating it from the inside. The UNRANU programme develops new production routes for these radionuclides, finds the best match between radionuclide and tumour type, determines the optimal treatment dose, and investigates how treatment effectiveness is influenced by the immune system.

Watch the video made by NWO here: UNderstanding the RAdiobiology of therapeutic medical radioNUclides (UNRANU) | NWO

About Perspectief

Perspectief is a programme of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). This year’s budget amounts to 27 million euros, of which 23 million has been contributed by EZK and 4 million by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Perspectief programme encourages researchers to form consortia with companies, government bodies and societal organisations. Together, they develop technological innovations that have a high impact on society and that help create economic opportunities for the Netherlands.

 

Reference: Intranet Radboudumc, written by Annemarie Eek (scientific journalist)

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