KWF Dutch Cancer Society and the Netherlands Cancer Institute join forces again

The relationship between KWF Dutch Cancer Society and the NKI is strong and dates back to 1951. This special partnership has led to increased understanding and better treatment of cancer. The previous 5-year collaborations have led to important scientific breakthroughs (see boxes below). The new partnership agreement is a continuation of these successes to be able to help more patients on a national and international scale.

Better translation of research to the patient: the success of TIL therapy in metastatic skin cancer

TIL therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s own immune cells. The NKI has further developed this treatment at the institute without pharmaceutical involvement. It is a prime example of the way lab discoveries about the workings of the immune system can be translated into a successful treatment. The NKI and Dutch Cancer Society have entered a unique partnership to facilitate the registration of this innovative immunotherapy in Europe through the EMA for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. TIL therapy is currently being developed for other cancer types, including lung cancer.

Better access to the best treatments: the success of the DRUP trial

The DRUP trial investigates whether patients can benefit from existing medicines that have been approved for a different cancer type. The most effective medicine is determined by analyzing tumor DNA. Thanks to the DRUP trial, patients with limited treatment options can access the latest treatments.

Better quality of life: minimizing the impact of cancer

Lots of research at the NKI focuses on the short-term and long-term effects of cancer (treatments) and psychosocial care and support. This could lead to improved quality of life during and after cancer. The Netherlands Cancer Institute has a Center for Quality of Life and measures patient’s Quality of Life. An overarching goal is to provide less (invasive) treatment, like shorter chemotherapy rounds, less radiotherapy, or forgoing surgery. Some examples are the Watch-and-wait approach for rectal cancer and pretreatment with immunotherapy for skin cancer, often making surgery obsolete.

19 million euros per year for groundbreaking cancer research

A lot of the research at the NKI is made possible by KWF Dutch Cancer Society. Over the coming 5 years, KWF Dutch Cancer Society intends to invest 19 million euros in the NKI per year.

"The Netherlands Cancer Institute is known around the world as a groundbreaking institute for multidisciplinary cancer research," says Dorine Manson, director of KWF Dutch Cancer Society. "Thanks to the intensive collaboration with the NKI, we have been able to accomplish research breakthroughs over the last five years that have already improved patients’ lives. Thanks to the support of our donors we can continue to invest in this world-class scientific center where cutting-edge insights are quickly translated into practice. This allows us to make a difference for a better life with and after cancer together, in the Netherlands and worldwide.”

Maurice van den Bosch, chair of the Executive Board of the Netherlands Cancer Institute: “Thanks to our unique collaboration with KWF Dutch Cancer Society, we can conduct fundamental cancer research across its full range on the highest international level. This allows us to bring successful research results directly to our patients. We want to scale up our knowledge through the OncoNoVo+ network in our region.”