Holst Memorial Lecture 2017

The Holst Memorial Lecture and Symposium are organized by Philips Research and the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e).This year’s Holst Lecture, the 41st since 1977, will be given by prof. Caroline Robert MD, PhD. Caroline Robert is University Professor of Dermato-Oncology and head of the Dermatology Unit at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Villejuif-Paris, France.

The treatment of cancer over the past decade has seen considerable progress. Refined surgical techniques allow for more complex tumors to be operated on. Innovative radiation therapy technologies have been developed, which lead to more precise delivery of treatment. Chemotherapies have improved. Imaging plays an increasingly crucial role in oncological care in clinical practice. It is employed in screening to detect disease early. It is furthermore essential in determining the specific type of
disease as well as the outlook for the patient, which together largely define treatment choice. Furthermore, in recent years cancer immunology has come to the forefront and has produced several new methods of treating cancer that increase the strength of immune responses against tumors. Immunotherapy stimulates the activities of the patients own immune system or counteract signals produced by cancer cells that suppress immune responses. Four eminent scientists will share their views on developments in their specific field of research, focusing on aspects like imaging, pathology, therapeutic applications and immunology.

Interfering with the immune system in order to eliminate cancer cells was one of the most attractive and exciting goals in oncology. After decades of deceived efforts and disappointing clinical trials, this long lasting objective was finally reached in 2011 with the authorization of a new immunotherapy in patients suffering from metastatic melanoma, which is one of the most challenging situations in oncology. This innovative treatment, based on the blockade of a physiological brake of the immune system, was the first specimen of a new generation of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors that are now developed in various
tumor types. Along with this new concept, profound reevaluations of assessing the efficacy of the drugs, managing the new toxicity profiles and addressing the patient’s quality of life are emerging leading to a global revolution the field of cancer treatment.

10.30 hrs Registration, Coffee
11.00 hrs Word of Welcome Henk van Houten (CTO Royal Philips)
11.05 hrs Introduction Chair
11.15 hrs Lecture #1 Carl Figdor
12.00 hrs Lecture #2 Peter Luijten
12.45 hrs Lunch Break
13.45 hrs Lecture #3 Andrea van Elsas
14.30 hrs Lecture #4 Willem Mulder
15.15 hrs Concluding remarks Chair
15.30 hrs Coffee/Tea Break
16.00 hrs Word of Welcome Frank Baaijens, (Rector Magnificus Technische Universiteit Eindhoven)
16.05 hrs Holst Memorial Lecture by Caroline Robert (Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Villejuif-Paris, France)
 ‘Cancer Immunotherapy: Blazing the Trail with Melanoma’
17.00 hrs Award Ceremony  Henk van Houten (CTO Royal Philips)
17.15 hrs Reception