The lab: Zwart group
Lab's research themes:
Hormonal therapies represent the first and most-successful targeted therapeutics in cancer. In most breast and prostate cancers, hormonal therapy forms the very backbone of systemic treatment, both in adjuvant and metastatic treatment. However, resistance to hormonal intervention is common, and many patients relapse despite treatment.
We study hormonal action in multiple tumor types; breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer and lung cancer. Our ultimate goal is to better understand hormonal signaling and elucidate therapy resistance in cancer, contributing to personalized clinical decision-making, optimized treatment selection, identification of novel therapeutic options and minimized over-treatment. By enhancing our knowledge on steroid hormone receptor function in cancer and elucidating mechanisms of treatment resistance, our research will be instrumental to fully tailor endocrine treatment selection in the future, selecting the most-suitable therapy for the individual patient.
Merits of the lab:
Our lab excels in translational cancer research, combining molecular biology with state-of-the-art genomic technologies to unravel the complexities of hormone-driven cancers. One of our key strengths is the ability to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications, providing insights that directly impact patient care. With a robust collaborative network, we actively engage with clinical oncologists and international research groups to ensure that our findings lead to real-world therapeutic advancements. Our pioneering work in understanding hormone receptor dynamics and resistance mechanisms has established us as leaders in the field of cancer endocrinology.
Why do we train medical doctors in our team?
Involving medical doctors in our research team is essential for advancing personalized cancer therapies. Their clinical expertise provides critical perspectives on how hormonal therapies are applied in real-world settings, enabling us to tailor our research to address clinical challenges. By training doctors in our lab, we foster a deep understanding of the molecular underpinnings of hormone-driven cancers, which enhances their ability to implement research findings into patient care. This integration of clinical knowledge with cutting-edge science accelerates the translation of our discoveries into more effective, personalized treatment strategies for patients.
The position
Meet Zhanna!
Biosketch
My academic journey commenced with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, equipping me with a profound understanding of modern biological research. Throughout my undergraduate years, I avidly engaged with various research groups, mastering wet laboratory techniques from cell culture to PCR, fortifying my passion for scientific exploration. This propelled me to pivot towards a career in Medicine, culminating in a Doctor of Medicine degree from Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, where I graduated first in my class of nineteen. As a part of my studies, under Professor Antonio Sarria-Santamera’s guidance, I meticulously analyzed data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2019, probing the complex interplay between depression and diabetes on patients’ quality of life and healthcare utilization, earning recognition for my thorough research. Post-graduation, I worked with Dr. Abduzhappar Gaipov, contributing to a groundbreaking Urine Proteomics study presented at the World Congress of Nephrology and published in Kidney International Reports. In 2022, I completed my Mediclinic Middle East Internship at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, gaining invaluable insights into medical practice and solidifying my commitment to advancing healthcare. And in March 2023 I joined Wilbert Zwart’s group as a PhD student in the Netherlands Cancer Institute in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. My journey reflects a relentless pursuit of knowledge, bridging science and medicine to improve patient well-being and push the boundaries of medical science.
University awarding the PhD
Zhanna is enrolled at the Graduate School of Oncology Amsterdam.
I decided to become a physician because…
Becoming a doctor has been a lifelong aspiration driven by my unwavering passion and fascination for the intricacies of the human body. What captivates me most is the opportunity to solve the unique puzzle presented by each patient, like a detective deciphering clues to unravel a mystery. This quest for knowledge and the thrill of discovery fuel my excitement for the medical field. Beyond the intellectual challenge, my deepest motivation lies in the profound satisfaction of helping others in their times of need. The genuine passion I possess for medicine ignites a relentless desire to contribute to the well-being of individuals and society as a whole, making the journey toward becoming a doctor an incredibly fulfilling one.
But also, I wanted to become a scientist because…
My aspiration to become a scientist stems from a deep-seated desire to unravel the complexities of diseases like breast cancer. I’m driven by an insatiable curiosity, a thirst for knowledge that propels me to delve deeper into the mechanisms of this disease. Being at the forefront of scientific research allows me to stay abreast of the latest treatment options, ensuring that I can contribute to the advancement of medical care.
What I am working on?
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women with an annual incidence of 17,000 cases diagnosed in the Netherlands only. Around 75% of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed with Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive disease. These patients are treated with different classes of ER-blocking therapeutics, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors (AI), and selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs). The use of endocrine therapy in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer caused a significant decrease in recurrence rates and cancer-related death. However, resistance to treatment commonly arises, leading to relapse and metastatic progressive disease. Once the disease progresses to the metastatic stage due to the acquired resistance, there are multiple rounds of toxic chemotherapeutic treatments without confirmed efficacy. Thus, creating an urgent need for safer, more affordable, and more effective patient-specific therapeutic strategies in metastatic settings for women with breast cancer. Our study aimed to investigate pharmacological agents with therapeutic potential in metastatic conditions in patients with ER + breast cancer using various scientific approaches: 1. Drug Repurposing Screen in tamoxifen-induced quiescent ER+ breast cancer cells 2. Tissue Microarray construction and analysis of Malignant Pleural effusion samples 3. Deep machine learning and “game theory” analysis of the previously received treatment regimens to develop a patient-specific optimized order of therapy in metastatic breast cancer.
Why is this important to me as a medical doctor?
I aspire to be the missing link between scientific research and healthcare, bridging the gap to translate cutting-edge discoveries into practical applications that can benefit patients. This journey as a scientist embodies my commitment to understanding, innovation, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those facing medical challenges.
Who am I besides a future physician-scientist?
Beyond my aspirations as a future physician-scientist, my life is colored by a vibrant array of hobbies and personal interests. I am a passionate practitioner of feminine-style dance, where each graceful movement becomes a form of self-expression. The arts and music serve as my creative outlets, igniting my imagination and fostering an appreciation for the beauty in the world. I take pride in being a devoted friend, a loving daughter, a supportive sister, and a caring partner, cherishing the relationships that anchor me. Additionally, I actively engage with society as an advocate for equality and women’s rights, working to empower others and drive positive change. These multifaceted aspects of my identity, from dancer to advocate, blend harmoniously, enriching my journey as I strive to become a physician-scientist with a deep understanding of the human body in health and disease.
