The Center for Oncological Research (CORE) at University of Antwerp, co-headed by prof. dr. Filip Lardon and prof. dr. Evelien Smits, is a multidisciplinary oncology research platform combining fundamental, translational and clinical cancer research across multiple complementary units. CORE’s laboratory and research activities are distributed across three key sites: University campus (Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk), the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), and the GZA Sint-Augustinus Hospital (Wilrijk).
Our mission is to advance cancer treatment and to improve patient quality of life through development of more efficient detection methods and new revolutionary therapies.
Research groups
Solid Tumor Immunology Group (STIG)
Headed by prof. dr. Evelien Smits
The STIG group investigates the immunobiology of solid tumours with a strong focus on developing next-generation immunotherapies. Key research themes include NK-cell–based strategies, immune checkpoint regulation, immunometabolic reprogramming, and mechanisms of tumour-induced immune suppression. The group aims to enhance immunotherapy efficacy by integrating in-vitro modelling, ex-vivo patient material, and translational clinical collaborations.
Targeted and Combination Therapy Team (TACTT)
Headed by prof. dr. An Wouters
TACTT develops and evaluates targeted and combination therapies with a focus on how microenvironmental factor, particularly tumour hypoxia, shape treatment response and resistance. Using molecular profiling and preclinical models, the group investigates mechanisms such as therapy-induced senescence and resistance pathways to identify strategies that enhance anti-tumour efficacy.
Tumoroid Screening Lab (TUSC)
Headed by prof. dr. Christophe Deben
TUSC develops and applies patient-derived tumour organoids as physiologically relevant 3D cancer models. These patient-derived 3D models enable high-throughput drug screening, biomarker discovery, and functional sensitivity testing for precision oncology. The lab integrates imaging, molecular analysis, and computational tools to bridge patient-specific tumour biology with therapeutic prediction.
Antwerp Research in Radiation Oncology (AReRO)
Headed by prof. dr. Pierre Montay-Gruel
AReRo advances radiotherapy research with a strong focus on the radiobiology and clinical translation of FLASH radiotherapy, an ultra-high dose-rate modality with the potential to spare normal tissues while maintaining tumour control. The group investigates cellular and molecular responses to FLASH dose rates, optimizes delivery parameters and treatment planning, and explores the mechanistic basis of the FLASH effect to support its integration into future radiotherapy protocols.
Pathology to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment (PATHiDT)
Headed by prof. dr. Senada Koljenović & prof. dr. Karen Zwaenepoel
PATHiDT integrates molecular pathology, digital pathology, and photonic technologies to refine cancer diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making. The group focuses on high-resolution tissue characterization, biomarker identification, and the development of diagnostic workflows that directly support precision oncology approaches in clinical practice.
Oncogenetics
Headed by prof. dr. Ken Op de Beeck
The Oncogenetics team develops genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for early cancer detection and treatment monitoring, with a focus on genome-wide methylation profiling and liquid biopsy–based assays. Their research spans multiple tumour types and is translated through advanced computational frameworks. Learn more about their research via their website.
University Center for Clinical Research Antwerp (UNICCRA)
Headed by prof. dr. Hans Prenen
UNICCRA is an interdisciplinary clinical trial unit embedded within UZA, conducting one of Belgium’s largest oncology trial programs with a strong focus on early-phase studies. Its mission is to ensure patient safety while providing access to innovative investigational therapies years before they reach the market. Learn more about via their website.
Clinicians
CORE is a research group that works closely together with the clinicians from different departments and hospitals (University Hospital of Antwerp, GZA Hospitals and AZ Maria Middelares Ghent). This is reflected in the large number of clinical oncologists, pathologists, surgeons and radiotherapy specialists within our department.