Our areas of research
Cellular effects of radionuclide in tumor cells
During targeted radionuclide therapy, radiolabeled compounds are targeted to the cancer cells via specific tumor binding (e.g. via receptors). Once bound to the tumor cells, the radionuclides will induce DNA damage leading to cancer cell death.
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In order to gain insight in the underlying radiobiological principle of this therapy, we are studying human tumor cell line and slices cultured and treated in vitro with targeted radionuclide therapy. We are investigating the internalisation of TRT, the subsequent induced DNA damage, regulation of RNA expression, survival of tumor cells, etc
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Current projects:
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Tumor radiobiology of NET TRT
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Tumor cell radiobiology of PCa TRT
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Pathway activation analysis of NET TRT
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Immune responses activated by TRT
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Radiobiological assessment of blood of NET TRT patients
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Novel TRT options for pediatric neuro oncology
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Radiobiology and dosimetry of different radiation qualities
Various radionuclides are being used in clinical practice or expected to be implemented in the future, including Auger, alpha and beta emitter. Different radionuclides have different cellular effects based mostly on the type of decay, half-life and range. In order to predict which radionuclide is suitable for which indication, we are investigating the difference between these radiation qualities using in vitro biological experiments en in silico dose simulations
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In addition, we are also focusing on development of detailed dosimetric modes. At the moment, there is no accurate method to determine the dose of TRT on various cellular targets and intratumoral heterogeneous regions. Therefore, it is essential to perform dosimetry to understand radiation dose-effects and integrate them into treatment planning systems for TRT.
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​Current projects:
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Live cell imaging of DNA repair dynamics by TRT Radiobiological comparison of lutetium-177 and actinium-225 for PCa TRT
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Radiobiological comparison of lutetium-177 and terbium-161
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Micro- and macrodosimetry of TRT
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Automated image analysis of TRT fluorescent images
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Radiobiological comparison of holmium-166 and yttrium-90 for radioembolization
Radiosensitization for improved radionuclide therapy outcome
Work by us and others has shown that TRT can be potentiated by combination with radiosensitizing compounds. Especially, various DDR inhibitors can function as radiosensitizers, and differentially impair DNA repair of TRT induced DNA damage and thereby vastly increase cell death, as we have shown in cells, tumor slices and xenografted tumors.
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On key example is radiosensitization of TRT for neuroendocrine tumors using the PARP-1 inhibitor olaparib. Our preclinical work has led to the start of various clinical trials worldwide and we are now also performing our own clinical phase 1 trial (collaboration with Dr. Hans Hofland). In addition to PARP-1 inhibitors, we are using drug screens to identify other potential synergistic combinatory regimens.
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Current projects:
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Radiosensitization to improve TRT outcome
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Clinical phase 1 trial of NET TRT in combination with PARP inhibitors
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For more details please contact:
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Current vacacancies and internship
We currently have no open positions, but if you're interested in joining our group, we encourage you to reach out via email.
Internship
We welcome all students for internship positions.
If you are interested in doing an internship with us, please contact us via email : j.nonnekens@erasmusmc.nl
Current fundings
Oncode Technology Development fund
Jop Kind and Julie Nonnekens,
2025-2026
Massive single-cell DNA damage profiling to uncover vulnerabilities of cells treated with alpha and beta radionuclide therapy
MSCA postdoctoral fellowship
Justine Perrin
2024-2026
Impact of BRCA2 deficiency on the DNA damage response and immunogenicity of prostate cancer after radioligand therapy.
NWO Perspectief consortium
Frank Nijsen, Julie Nonnekens, Sandra Heskamp, Antonia Denkova, consortium partners
2022-2027
Understanding the radiobiology of therapeutic medical radionuclides.
Research grant Cure Starts Now Foundation
Sophie Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Julie Nonnekens
2022-2026
Development and optimization of targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies for pediatric brain tumors; a world-first translational study.
ERC starting grant 2021
Julie Nonnekens
2022-2027
RADIOBIO: Deciphering the radiobiology of targeted radionuclide therapy: from subcellular to intra-tumoural analyses
Research collaboration with Quirem Medical, Terumo
Julie Nonnekens
2022-2024
Radiobiological effects of holmium-166 and yttrium-90
Research collaboration with POINT Biopharma
Julie Nonnekens
2022-2024
Radiobiology of alpha and beta-PSMA targeted radionuclide therapy
Oncode clinical proof of concept study
Roland Kanaar, Julie Nonnekens, Hans Hofland, Ferry Eskens, Wouter de Herder, Tessa Brabander, Astrid van der Veldt, Mark Konijnenberg, Stijn Koolen
2021-2024
Oncode clinical proof of concept study. “Improving Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy with PARP inhibitors: the PRRT-PARPi study”.
Erasmus MC Fellowship 2019
Julie Nonnekens
2020-2024
RADIANT: cellular RADIAtion exposure effects of molecular radioNuclide Therapies
