A PHYSICIANS’ POINT OF VIEW

Many different disciplines work together at the Early Drug Development Center. The head of the department and an advanced practice nurse tell their stories.

NEELTJE STEEGHS

    ‘Working in Phase 1 and clinical pharmacology is truly inspiring. The innovations that come with new drugs, with new mechanisms of action, and the search for the right treatment dose and scheme keep me intrigued. It is a continuous balance between doing right for the individual patient that is there with me in my clinic and improving treatment options for future cancer patients. And it works. There are now more effective treatments than ever before, and they have come from such studies.’

    Marjolein van Mil

    MSc, Advanced Practice Nurse

    ‘I am the main contact person for patients who participate in phase 1 studies. We discuss patients in our multidisciplinary consultation every week. In addition to seeing patients by appointment, I can be reached by telephone for questions or physical complaints. I notice that patients appreciate our personal approach and oncological expertise. Each time, the relationship of trust we build with patients during the period that they participate in a trial is unique.’