Each of the KiKa-funded studies contributes to achieving the mission of the research hospital the Princess Máxima Centre: to cure every child with cancer, with optimal quality of life. The research ranges from fundamental DNA research and the development of new treatments to providing care of the highest quality.
Targeted and less toxic treatments
Group leader Dr. Ruben van Boxtel is spending the research funds on a project with colleague Dr. Friederike Meyer-Wentrup. He explains: 'Although the survival of children with Hodgkin's lymphoma has increased enormously in recent decades, children often suffer from chronic health problems later on due to their earlier treatment. This treatment consists mainly of intense chemotherapy. I want to investigate whether a more targeted treatment reduces these late toxic effects. We still know very little about the driving forces behind the development of Hodgkin lymphoma. In our research, we are using new ways to study these forces at the cellular level. This may ultimately contribute to more targeted treatment for children with this form of cancer, with less toxicity.'Better understanding of the outcomes after cerebellar mutism syndrome
Dr. Marita Partanen, Dr. Kirsten van Baarsen, and Dr. Maarten Lequin will use the awarded money for an international project to better understand outcomes after Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS). Dr. Partanen: ‘This devastating syndrome occurs in some children who are operated for a posterior fossa tumor in the brain. They develop problems with talking, behavior and movement, for example, as a result. At the moment, we don't know why CMS occurs. Therefore, together with my colleagues, we are going to look for what can predict outcomes for children with CMS in the short or long term. These insights may help us to develop new treatments in the future.’