Dr. Van Neerven’s background is in adult oncology. In Amsterdam and Cambridge, she spent several years studying how bowel cancer develops in adults. Now, she is bringing that knowledge to the field of childhood cancer. ‘Cancer development in a growing body, in a child, is a completely different process than in an adult. I want to understand what those differences are and what we can learn from them.’
Healthy cells as allies
In her new research group, the focus is on the interaction between healthy and abnormal cells, and their environment. Van Neerven studies, for example, cell competition — the ‘contest’ between an abnormal cell and its healthy neighbors. The body of a child is still developing, and the immune system develops alongside it. This means the environment in which that contest takes place can be very different from that in adults.
While much research focuses on what makes cancer cells malignant, Van Neerven takes a different approach. ‘I also want to understand why things so often go right: what defense mechanisms in our body prevent cancer from forming in most cases?’ she says. ‘We are only beginning to understand these defense systems. They might hold clues for ways to better stop cancer cells from growing.’ This knowledge could eventually lead to new treatments and prevention strategies that strengthen natural defense mechanisms rather than solely attacking cancer cells.
Genetic predisposition and second tumors
Another important theme in her research is inherited cancer predisposition. Inherited cancers are often discovered in adults, but can already begin much earlier in life. ‘With inherited cancers, we know which DNA mutation causes the first steps in cancer development. That allows us to study these specific mutations in the lab,’ Van Neerven explains. ‘And in people with an inherited predisposition, cancer can arise in one organ but not in another. How does that work? That really fascinates me. I want to untangle how healthy cells, abnormal cells, and their unique environment each contribute to cancer development.’
With support from KiKa, Van Neerven will also study why some children develop a second tumor after treatment. Is this due to damage from the treatment itself, or were there already abnormal cells that gained a growth advantage because of the therapy? By answering these questions, she hopes to contribute to better and more targeted treatments.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing
To study cancer development ‘live’, Van Neerven uses, among other models, mice. In the coming period, she plans to connect with other research groups at the Máxima Center. She is especially looking forward to collaborating with the Rios group, known for its advanced imaging techniques, and with the Snippert and Kuiper groups for their expertise in colon cancer and genetics.
After more than ten years of research experience in oncology, Van Neerven is excited to build her own research group. ‘I’m really looking forward to starting at the Máxima Center and diving deeper into childhood cancer. There’s still so much for me to learn in this field, and I hope that my fresh perspective and experience from adult oncology can help generate new insights and better treatments for children with cancer.’
Hands-on start
Van Neerven is joined by technician Nina de Groot, with whom she has worked for many years. In the coming months, she hopes to recruit a PhD student through KiKa funding and is awaiting the outcome of several grant applications.
Collaboration is at the heart of her plans: ‘Cell competition plays a role in many processes, from cancer initiation to cell behavior during treatment. I want my group to actively collaborate with other teams and quickly become part of the Máxima community.’ In the coming weeks, she will focus on meeting new colleagues and giving her team a hands-on start.
The research group of Dr. Sanne van Neerven is supported by the Princess Máxima Center Foundation and KiKa (Children Cancer Free Foundation).