Personal profile
Research interests
My group is interested in deciphering the molecular response mechanisms to clinical schedules of fractionated radiotherapy. The overarching goal is to understand how tumor cells and the tumor micro-environment respond during longer periods of fractionated radiotherapy in order to optimize dose-scheduling of combination therapies.
Over the last decade, we have used different approaches to determine the role of the tumor microenvironment in the response to radiotherapy and to monitor the cellular response(s) of the tumor microenvironment to radiotherapy. This includes studies in cultured cell in vitro, in tumor models in vivo as well as in tumor tissues derived from cancer patients.
Regarding the modulation of the tumor micro-environment, we are particularly interested in the role of galectins, a family of carbohydrate (sugar) binding proteins that are linked to blood vessel growth as well as to regulation of the immune response. We study how galectins contribute to tumor progression and how targeting galectins can be exploited for cancer therapy.
Specialisation
Angiogenesis
Radiobiology
Molecular Cell Biology
Glycobiology
Related documents
External positions
Postdoc, Maastricht UMC
… → 2009
PhD student, Maastricht UMC
… → 2002
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Ligand-specific tuning of CLEC10A signalling strength and dendritic cell responses through engagement of different GalNAc-containing glycan structures
van der Meijs, N. L., Hatinguais, R., de Kok, M., Li, R. J. E., Godefa, T. M., Thijssen, V. L. J. L., van Kooyk, Y. & van Vliet, S. J., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: FEBS journal.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile26 Downloads (Pure) -
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors to Predict Target Site Penetration, with PET-Guided Verification
van der Gaag, S., Jordens, T., Yaqub, M., Grijseels, R., van Valkengoed, D. W., de Langen, E. N., van den Broek, R., Thijssen, V. L. J. L., de Langen, A. J., Kouwenhoven, M. C. M., Bahce, I., Westerman, B. A., Hendrikse, N. H. & Bartelink, I. H., May 2025, In: CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology. 14, 5, p. 918-928 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile49 Downloads (Pure) -
Preoperative partial breast reirradiation and repeat breast-conserving surgery in patients with recurrent breast cancer: The prospective single-arm REPEAT trial - A study protocol
Civil, Y., Wurfbain, L., Jonker, L., van der Sangen, M., Oei, A., Duvivier, K., Bijker, N., Meijnen, P., van Kesteren, Z., Palacios, M., Barbé, E., Menke-van der Houven van Oordt, W., Diepenhorst, G., Thijssen, V., Slotman, B., Verhoeff, J., Schipper, R.-J. & van den Bongard, D., 18 Jul 2025, In: BMJ open. 15, 7, e096510.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile40 Downloads (Pure) -
Prognostic Value of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review of Literature
Civil, Y. A., Purcell, N. D., de Vries, R., Oei, A. L., Thijssen, V. L. J. L., de Gruijl, T. D., Slotman, B. J., Schneiders, F. L. & van den Bongard, H. J. G. D., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Clinical breast cancer.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile24 Downloads (Pure) -
A Comparative Analysis of Local and Systemic Immunological Biomarkers in Females With Breast Implants and Capsular Contracture
Spit, K. A., Azahaf, S., de Blok, C. J. M., Bachour, Y., Castricum, K. C. M., Thijssen, V. L. J. L., Oudejans, M. A. H., Rustemeyer, T. & Nanayakkara, P. W. B., 2024, In: Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum. 6, p. ojae008Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile51 Downloads (Pure)
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Painting proteins to study cardiovascular pathology
Thijssen, V. (Examiner)
24 Feb 2022Activity: Examination › Educational
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Frontiers in Oncology (Journal)
Thijssen, V. (Member of editorial board)
2022 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › editorial_work
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Targeted chemoprevention of head and neck cancer
Thijssen, V. (Examiner)
25 Jan 2021Activity: Examination › Educational
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Amsterdam UMC (Organisational unit)
Thijssen, V. (Chair)
2020 → 2022Activity: Membership › Membership of board › Academic
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Tumor-associated glycan structures: friend or foe in immunity to cancer?
Thijssen, V. (Examiner)
2 Jul 2019Activity: Examination › Educational
Prizes
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Galectokines: Immunomodulation by galectin-cytokine interactions.
Thijssen, V. (Recipient) & Rory, K. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Other distinction