“As a researcher, I serve as a bridge between fundamental science and the hospital. During my PhD, I conducted basic research with a direct connection to clinical practice. I studied the immune system in more than 400 breast cancer patients to better understand how immune defenses influence cancer, and how tumors in turn affect the immune system.
Even in localized tumors, changes are already visible, but the composition of immune cells is altered most strongly once cancer has spread. I observed particularly large differences in neutrophils. Not only are these immune cells more abundant, they are also much more active. Without neutrophils, even a common cold could be fatal. At the same time, tumors can hijack neutrophils and use them to promote faster growth and increased metastasis. Tumor type also plays an important role. The most pronounced differences were found in triple-negative breast cancer.
I combined my research with caring for my family, including four children. I would like to encourage other young PhD candidates who wish to have children that while it is not always easy, it is indeed possible.”
Noor Bakker will defend her PhD thesis on January 9.
Research at the Netherlands Cancer Institute is financially supported by KWF Dutch Cancer Society and the AVL Foundation.
Karin de Visser
Marleen Kok