Research team
Expertise
A few years ago we have erected ReSURG as a research unit within the department of abdominal surgery, as part of ASTARC. This group aims to perform surgical research of sound quality and impact, on different research levels. An additional objective is to train young colleagues in the field of research, either in the context of a "master thesis" or a PhD. Most projects can be considered a clinical research which can be considered a an expertise. I have initiated and executed many clinical trials, from retrospective case series and surveys to prospective randomized trials and meta-analysis. In clinical research large databases are essential and it seems only logical that cooperation and uniting different hospitals for a project will lead to bigger datasets and better results. Regarding are current research network, building and expanding a research network can also be considered an expertise. Based upon previous experience operating (with and without microscope) on pigs,rats and mice, animal experimental research is also an expertise. Since 2 years ReSURG is also active in the field of "patient derived organoids", in close collaboration with CORE. My expertise herein lies in the translational aspect of these project, being the connection to clinical reality.
An aid for defecation in perineal descent.
Abstract
The planned project is a continuation to the thesis project of Kaat Robberechts (academic year 2022-2023), in which a tool (Femiset) was developed to alleviate defecation difficulties in women suffering from Descending Perineum Syndrome (DPS). Perineal descent is the medical term for excessive descent of the perineum when subjected to pressure from above, such as when making bowel movements. This can lead to symptoms of obstructive defecation, including a sensation of incomplete evacuation, tenesmus, fragmentation of stool, faecal urgency and faecal incontinence. This issue was brought to our attention by specialists at the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), with whom close collaboration took place throughout the thesis. The designed solution includes a tool that allows the patient to apply mechanical counterpressure to the site of prolapse during defecation, offering a discrete, hygienic and non-invasive way to control the complications associated with the syndrome. Femiset is available in two different models: a static model, where a constant pressure is applied, and a dynamic model where the pressure can be varied manually during defecation. In a first phase of the project, the models will be fine-tuned for use in a clinical trial. In a second phase, both models will be tested in a clinical trial on 20 patients. The results of this study will be used in a third phase to optimise the product and further strengthen the patent application. This optimisation phase will result in three high-end prototypes of each model, closely resembling series products. During the course of the project, different valorisation routes (licensing/sale/spin-off) will be evaluated so that steps can be taken towards commercialisation by the end of the project.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Campenhout Lukas
- Co-promoter: Komen Niels
- Co-promoter: Roenen Joëlle
- Co-promoter: Van den Broeck Sylvie
- Co-promoter: Vermandel Alexandra
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Development of an image-based multiparametric drug response signature to predict clinical therapy response in cancer patients from ex vivo tumoroid screenings.
Abstract
Precision oncology has been shown to greatly improve outcomes of cancer patients, with tailored treatment approaches that consist of patient-directed therapies on the molecular characteristics of a patient. Despite this, chemo- and radiotherapy are still the basis of most standard treatment regimens, especially for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. Importantly, there are significant differences in how GI cancer patients respond to standard-of-care (SOC) chemotherapy (CT) and chemoradiation (CRT), resulting in a majority of patients experiencing either over- or undertreatment and a delay in starting the optimal treatment. Tailored treatment approaches for SOC CT/CRT to enable precision oncology for these standard therapies is of high interest in order to improve quality-of-life and survival of GI cancer patients. With no existing predictive biomarkers for CT/CRT, and genomic profiling falling short on this front, there is therefore a clear unmet medical need for a novel model that can distinguish CT/CRT responders and non-responders in GI cancer patients. Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs), a functional precision oncology strategy, are 3D vivo models generated from individual patient tumor tissue and have recently emerged as a promising tool for predicting CT/CRT responses in cancer patients. PDO-guided treatment has not yet been implemented in the clinic, because some limitations need to be overcome first. With this study, we aim to overcome the most important limitations by developing a multiparametric, live-cell imaging-based drug response signature for ex vivo PDO screenings that enables monitoring of the true PDO drug response. We hypothesize that this will drastically improve the predictive value of PDOs and feasibility of using PDO drug screenings in routine clinical practice. To test this and as proof-of-concept we will also perform a multicentric prospective observational cohort study with our novel PDO screening platform for prediction of neoadjuvant CT/CRT response in rectal and esophageal cancer patients in regional hospitals. If successful, we aim to set up a prospective clinical phase-1 trial in the future, and on the long term implement our PDO drug response signature as a tool to help guide clinical decision-making of CT/CRT treatment choices for GI cancer patients.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Prenen Hans
- Co-promoter: Deben Christophe
- Co-promoter: Komen Niels
- Fellow: Peeters Sofía
- Fellow: Seghers Sofie
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Predicting chemoradiation response for gastrointestinal cancer patients using patient-derived tumor organoids.
Abstract
Advances in precision oncology have been shown to greatly benefit outcomes of cancer patients, demonstrating the importance of shifting to tailored treatment approaches for all cancer patients. A significant proportion of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients treated with standard-of-care (SOC) chemo- and/or radiotherapy experience either under- or overtreatment and a delay in starting the optimal treatment. With no existing predictive biomarkers for chemo- and radiotherapy responses there is therefore a clear unmet medical need for a novel model that can distinguish chemoradiation therapy (CRT) responders and non-responders in GI cancer patients. Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs), three-dimensional (3D) ex-vivo models generated from individual patient tumor tissue biopsies or resections, have recently emerged as a promising tool for predicting chemo- and radiotherapy responses in GI cancer patients. Some limitations of PDOs, however, currently hamper the implementation of PDOs into the clinic. With this feasible 1-year project we will focus on overcoming the most important limitations: design and comparison of various ex-vivo drug panels and treatment schedules representative of clinical practice, optimization of our innovative in-house developed 3D organoid assay (OrBITS) for determining ex-vivo drug response, and reducing turn-around time. Our already successfully established tumor organoid biobank and validated 3D organoid assay will be great assets in this. Moreover, as a first proof-of-principal we will study the potential of PDO drug screenings for identifying in-vivo therapy response of CRT for GI patients, which will be obtained from retrospective clinical follow-up. Altogether, the project will enable us to reach our ultimate goal in the near future: implementing PDO drug screens at University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) as a tool to help guide clinical decision-making for cancer patients and for advancing precision medicine in oncology.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Komen Niels
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Research gift ASTARC (Colovac, Safeheal)
Abstract
The protective ostomy is the current standard of care to protect a low colorectal anastomosis from leakage, but exposes patients to complications requiring an alternative strategy. The Colovac+ is a vacuum-based intraluminal bypass device designed to shield the anastomosis from fecal content, preventing the clinical outcomes of anastomotic leakage. The aim is to devellop this device to a safe, robust and easy to use device as a trustworthy alternative for a protective ileostomy.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Komen Niels
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project