Targeting Cancer With the Patient’s Own Immune System
Dr. Marleen Kok, a breast cancer specialist and researcher at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in Amsterdam, will headline a thematic evening on October 29, 2026, at Buurthuis Moesel in Weert. Hosted by Toon Hermans Huis Weert, the event centers on the evolving role of immunotherapy—a strategy that helps the patient’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
The €800,000 Push for Personalized Protocols
While immunotherapy has become a significant part of the treatment for various cancers, its efficacy remains inconsistent. Dr. Kok is currently utilizing an €800,000 grant to investigate why the treatment works for some patients and not for others. Her research aims to better tailor treatments to the patient. The primary goal: to determine if smart combinations of drugs can eventually reduce the necessity for intensive chemotherapy in patients in the future.
Public Engagement in Weert
The session, titled “Samen op weg naar een betere behandeling van borstkanker” (Working together toward better breast cancer treatment), is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m. It offers the public a direct line to clinical developments from a researcher who grew up in Weert. Beyond this presentation, Toon Hermans Huis Weert provides ongoing support, including a contact group meeting on the last Tuesday morning of every month. The center will also host a free lunch buffet for people with breast cancer on Tuesday, October 27, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Register for October Events at Buurthuis Moesel
Those interested in attending the October 29 presentation, the monthly contact group, or the October 27 lunch buffet must register in advance via info@thhweert.nl or 0495 – 541 444. Events take place at Buurthuis Moesel, Christinelaan 25, 6006 CJ Weert.
The Gap Between Research and Standard Care
While the research into immunotherapy and drug combinations continues to evolve, the long-term impact on standard clinical practice remains a subject of ongoing investigation. Scientists hope to be able to deploy treatments more specifically by researching why the treatment works for some patients and not for others.
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