Inaugural lecture Prof. dr. Kasper M.A. Rouschop

"Bubbels en blaasjes; flessenpost van kanker"

Cancer affects us all, either directly or indirectly, and with an aging population, its incidence will only continue to rise. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in improving treatment through a better understanding of the processes underlying tumor development and growth. Despite this progress, the advances have not been observed for all tumor types, and major challenges remain.

Cancer cells are exposed to external stress factors during—and as a result of—their growth. Examples include recognition by the immune system and a lack of nutrients or oxygen due to competition with surrounding (cancer) cells. Through adaptations and problem-solving mechanisms, cancer cells manage to survive and find ways to escape these challenges.

In my inaugural lecture, I will guide you through some of these mechanisms, how they normally serve the cancer cells, and what opportunities exist to exploit them for the benefit of more effective anti-cancer therapies.

Click here for the live stream.