Van Vuurden group
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Doctor Dannis van Vuurden
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The focus of the Van Vuurden group, both in the clinic as in translational research, is on pediatric high-grade brain tumors, with an emphasis on drug discovery, repurposing and delivery over the blood-brain barrier.
The group is led by Dannis van Vuurden, MD, PhD. He is working as a pediatric neuro-oncologist and group leader at the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology. In combining clinical work with translational research, the aim of the Van Vuurden group is to develop translational pediatric neuro-oncology projects from the lab to the clinic, for ultimate translation into new therapies.
“Overcoming barriers for optimal drug delivery to achieve higher survival and better quality of life for children with brain tumors”
Dr. Dannis van Vuurden
Research group leader and pediatric oncologist
The blood-brain barrier - a therapeutic obstacle
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from the effects of harmful substances in the blood, such as waste products and substances that can disrupt the functioning of the brain. Unfortunately, this barrier also prevents >90% of anti-cancer drugs from entering the brain.
Because the BBB is a major hurdle in the treatment of children (and adults) with malignant brain tumors, research in the group focuses on new possibilities to better cross or circumvent this barrier. Several research projects in the Van Vuurden Group are currently exploring these new avenues of drug delivery, such as focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBD) and convection-enhanced delivery (CED).
Core team members include dr. John Bianco (postdoc), dr. Akke Bakker (postdoc) and dr. Yan Su (technician). The Van Vuurden group closely collaborates with dr. Mario Ries from the Image-guided Therapeutic Ultrasound group of UMC Utrecht.
Research lines
- Focused ultrasoundIn the lab of the Van Vuurden group, in close collaboration with the Therapeutic Ultrasound group of UMCU (dr. Mario Ries), FUS-BBBD research is focused on improving drug (small molecules, monoclonal antibodies) delivery to the brain in models of high-grade glioma (HGG) such as diffuse midline glioma (DMG).
- Convection enhanced deliveryThe treatment of patients with DIPG seems to specifically suffer from highly impaired drug delivery due to an intact BBB. Therefore, near-future clinical studies that are being developed study the use of microcatheters into the DIPG tumor for drug delivery.
- High-grade brain tumor registrationStructured and collaborative data collection is key to improving outcomes for children with brain tumors. By leading international registries and retrospective studies, the Van Vuurden lab aims to create robust datasets that enable better insights into treatment response, prognostic markers, and survival outcomes.
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