The Research Group
In 2007, the tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) was discovered by dr. Wilma Mesker from the deptartment of Surgery of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Since then, a lot of research and validation studies into TSR has been done all over the world. The UNITED study was designed to review the reproducibility of the scoring method and implementation of the TSR in daily practice.
The daily research group of the study consists of Floor Heilijgers (PhD candidate), dr. Wilma Mesker (Principal Investigator) and dr. Koen Peeters (oncological surgeon). Within this research, there is a close collaboration with the departments of Pathology of the LUMC, of the University Hospital of Cologne and the NYU Grossman School of Medicine of New York, together with the department of Medical Oncology of the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU).
Collaborations
Thanks to all our participating centers, the UNITED study has been able to include patients worldwide.
Partners
Utrecht University Medical Center (UMCU)
In collaboration with UMC Utrecht (UMCU), we are taking the next step in evaluating the predictive value of the TSR and its implementation in clinical practice. By leveraging the expertise of oncologists, we aim to translate TSR from research into a practical tool for patient care. This partnership is a crucial step toward integrating TSR into routine oncology, improving personalized treatment strategies for colon cancer patients.
University Hospital of Cologne
To automate scoring TSR there is a collaboration with dr. Yuri Tolkach from the University Hospital in Cologne.
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
In partnership with Prof. Aristotelis Tsirigos, we are leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze the correlation between clinicopathological factors—including the TSR—to further validate their prognostic and predictive value. Our goal is to enhance the prediction of disease-free survival (DFS), paving the way for more precise and personalized treatment strategies in oncology.
Email: UNITED@lumc.nl
Visiting address
Albinusdreef 2
2333 ZA Leiden
The Netherlands
Postal address
LUMC Dept. of Surgery, Postzone K6-R
UNITED study
Attn. F. Heilijgers
P.O. Box 9600
2300 RC Leiden
The Netherlands
Telephone numbers
+ 31 71 526 5130 – Floor Heilijgers