ERASMUS UROLOGY RESEARCH

Erasmus MC Urothelial Cancer Research Group

The Erasmus MC Urothelial Cancer Research Group is a research group associated with the Cancer Institute of the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Our main research goal is to explore the molecular mechanisms of urothelial cancer and to translate our findings into clinical practice for the improvement of patient centered care. The EUCRG team consists of specialists from a variety of backgrounds, including urology, pathology, biochemistry and bioinformatics. More importantly, we represent an enthusiastic team of scientists working as either PI’s, postdoctoral fellows, research technicians, PhD or master (MSc students). Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in urothelial cancer research or more detailed information from our group.

Gene Expression Profiling

In recent years, gene expression profiling has revealed that Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) is a heterogeneous disease; like breast cancer, it can be stratified into different molecular subtypes. Read more

Digital Pathology

Diagnosis and prognosis of urothelial cancer are performed via assessment of specific tissue and cellular features by pathologists. Importantly, intra and inter variability of pathologists can affect diagnosis. There is a need to develop methods for reducing the inconsistency of pathologic assessment.

Personalized treatment

In this project we are investigating the molecular characteristics of BCG-resistant HR-NMIBC, identifying key differences that drive resistance and progression, and testing drugs targeting these alterations as personalized alternative treatments in organoids.

Tumor Organoid Models

For primary diagnosis, bladder cancer patients are treated by surgical resection of the tumor and may require additional treatment depending on tumor stage. Read more

CHASIT study

The CHASIT study is a national, multicenter study for patients with locally advanced irresectable or clinically node-positive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, upper urinary tract or urethra.

Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Our research on urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) mainly focusses on the bladder recurrences following surgery for this disease. Read more

Urine-based molecular assays

Hematuria (i.e. blood in urine) can be a sign of serious underlying disease (including malignancy) and is reason for referral to a urology clinic. Read more

Mechanisms of BCG resistance

Patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer are treated with intravesical BCG immunotherapy, which facilitates removal of residual tumor cells after transurethral bladder tumor resection. Read more

People