The Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Cancer Institute in Amsterdam provides advanced care, research, and treatment for cancer, with worldwide recognition and a focus on improving cure rates.
Research
Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
Founded in 2018, the Princess Máxima Center leads the treatment of childhood cancer in the Netherlands. The center provides specialized care, pools expertise and research, and collaborates with 17 hospitals.
Quantum Physics
The study of quantum physics explores how our thoughts and feelings are connected to the world around us. This can help in devising new ways to improve our mental health.
Unveiling the Crucial Role of Specialized Immune Cells, Macrophages, in the Fight Against Brain Cancer

Head of the Brain Cancer Research Team, Leila Akkari: Within the complex landscape of the human body, the immune system serves as a crucial defender against numerous threats, including the formidable enemy that is cancer. Over the past 15 years, I have focused on unraveling the mysteries of this complex battlefield, with hope for patients battling devastating diseases such as glioblastoma.
Among the key players in the immune response – the protective system that maintains our health – are macrophages, adaptable cells with an extraordinary capacity for plasticity. While these cells are vital for the normal functioning of the body, they become problematic in the context of cancer. Tumors, particularly glioblastoma, exploit macrophages, employing them to support tumor growth and increase resistance to treatments.
Treating brain cancer, especially glioblastoma, presents significant challenges due to the unique biology of these tumors and the protective blood-brain barrier. Glioblastoma cells are heterogeneous, meaning that a single treatment may eliminate some but not all resistant cancer cells. Moreover, glioblastoma creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment, evading the body’s natural defense system.
Over the past seven years, our group has strived to deepen our understanding of glioblastoma biology. We aim to develop immune cell therapies that can overcome these challenges, with a particular focus on macrophages. Why macrophages? Unlike therapies that are effective against other cancers, such as melanoma or lung cancer, T-cell therapies have not proven effective in glioblastoma. Moreover, macrophages are the most common immune cells in the brain, with central pro-tumorigenic functions as tumors grow and resist conventional therapies.
The central idea of our laboratory is to teach macrophages new tricks and guide them to regain their original functions – to consume and eliminate foreign agents such as glioblastoma cells. We pursue this through three main approaches:
- Unraveling the Changes that Drive Macrophages to Support Tumor Growth: By using mouse models that mimic the complexity of human glioblastoma, we isolate macrophages that have become tumor-supportive. Advanced sequencing analyses are also conducted with tumors from glioblastoma patients.
- Combining Therapies in the Management of Glioblastoma: Despite the optimism around T-cell immunotherapy, it has not proven effective in glioblastoma. We believe that combining the targeting of macrophages with T-cell therapies can maximize control over glioblastoma. Our lab-based system investigates how macrophages interact with T-cells, aiming to reprogram macrophages to activate rather than inhibit T-cells.
- Building a New Toolbox Against Glioblastoma: Overcoming the blood-brain barrier to deliver drugs to the core of the tumor is a challenge. In collaboration with chemists, we have developed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver therapies to the core of the tumor. These LNPs are designed to specifically target pro-tumorigenic macrophages. Tests are conducted in various in vitro and ex vivo models before moving to in vivo testing in mice with tumors.
Ongoing and Future Efforts:
- Collaborating with clinicians to optimize standard treatment for glioblastoma patients.
- Enhancing the direct targeting of cancer cells within glioblastoma by understanding their diversity.
In conclusion, studying immune cells, particularly macrophages and their plasticity, offers immense promise in the fight against glioblastoma. These adaptable cells, which navigate the challenges of the central nervous system, emerge as crucial players in shaping the immune response within tumors. As researchers delve deeper into the complexity of macrophage behavior, new therapeutic avenues are unveiled, offering hope for improved outcomes in the face of this formidable disease.
Brain Tumors Represent One of the Most Challenging Aspects of Pediatric Oncology

The Princess Máxima Center, opened in May 2018, is at the forefront of treating this condition in children in the Netherlands. With a mission to cure every child and provide optimal quality of life, the center addresses the urgent reality where approximately 600 children in the Netherlands are diagnosed with cancer each year. Despite increased survival rates, cancer remains the leading cause of death among children, with one in four succumbing to the disease.
Financial support is essential for continuing this research and developing better treatment methods. Every contribution helps create a greater chance for effective treatment for all children with brain tumors, both now and in the future.
The Princess Máxima Center provides specialized care using the latest techniques, aiming to increase survival rates and minimize severe side effects of treatments. By pooling expertise in pediatric oncology care and research under one roof, every child with cancer receives the best possible tailored treatment. This approach places the Princess Máxima Center among the top five pediatric oncology centers worldwide and makes it the largest pediatric cancer center in Europe.
The center employs a holistic approach, with nearly all children participating in one or more studies, improving the availability and quality of data. In collaboration with 17 hospitals in a shared care model, diagnostic and complex treatments are carried out at the Princess Máxima Center, while less complex parts of the treatment take place in regional hospitals.
In the coming years, neuro-oncology and cellular immunotherapy are prominent research areas. The center strives for top clinical care and groundbreaking research to increase the chances of a cure. A specific focus is on early-phase (I/II) studies, where experimental treatments are investigated to develop more effective and less harmful options for children with brain tumors.
Quantum Physics

Quantum physics is a fascinating branch of modern science that unravels the profound connection between energy, waves, vibrations, frequencies, and atoms, which act as the building blocks of the universe.
Remarkably, within the realm of quantum physics, it has been demonstrated that consciousness can influence these fundamental building blocks. This suggests that our human consciousness is not merely an observer but plays an active role in shaping reality at the smallest level.
While the practices within traditional science are not yet fully understood, they offer an intriguing perspective on the relationship between our consciousness and the foundation of the universe. Exploring quantum physics opens the door to a deeper understanding of how our thoughts and feelings are connected to the smallest building blocks of the world. This research suggests the potential to harness consciousness positively for well-being and personal transformation.
Implications from Research
Various studies have convincingly shown that applying specific practices and implementing preventive treatments can yield significant benefits for maintaining a healthy brain, body, and mind. These treatments contribute to promoting overall well-being and preventing various health issues.
The application of specific methods enhances cognitive function and reduces the risk of neurodegenerative conditions, potentially leading to sharper thinking and improved concentration.
Additionally, preventive treatments have demonstrable results in maintaining a healthy body by preventing or alleviating various physical conditions, such as promoting a healthy cardiovascular system, regulating metabolism, and strengthening the immune system.
The influence of these treatments extends beyond the physical aspect to have tangible benefits for mental health. These approaches reduce stress, enhance emotional resilience, and directly impact individual well-being, resulting in improved quality of life and a more positive state of mind.
These discoveries unequivocally point to the beneficial effects of applying this knowledge and implementing preventive treatments, which promote a healthy and prosperous life.