We at GUTS believe that research is important, but translation is essential to make a difference for patients. In this part of our website you can find an overview of our efforts to improve patient diagnoses, treatment and outcomes. We are involved in national and international organisations to optimise care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
WHO Blue Books The WHO classification manuals describe the definition of cancer types, that form the basis of diagnostic workup. Both Chella van der Post and Iris Nagtegaal are involved in WHO Classification of Digestive System Tumors (5th and 6th edition) and Genetic Tumor Syndromes (5th edition) as authors and editor. https://www.iarc.who.int
International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting The ICCR is the global organisation that designs the datasets that form the basis of pathology reporting (www.iccr-cancer.org). Both Iris Nagtegaal (series champion GI datasets) and Chella van der Post (Gall bladder dataset and Gastric cancer datasets) are intensively involved with the ICCR. https://www.iccr-cancer.org/datasets/published-datasets/digestive-tract/
The national population screening program for bowel cancer started in 2013. From the start, Iris Nagtegaal has been involved as expert pathologist elected by the RIVM. We are proud to contribute to the National Expert Pathology Panel on Population Screening for Bowel Cancer. Chaired by Iris Nagtegaal, the pathology panel includes Dr. Chella van der Post as one of its dedicated panelists and is supported by secretary general Elisa Vink-Börger. In this panel, we meet weekly to discuss complex and challenging cases, providing expert guidance to support pathology laboratories across the country. Together, we strive to advance diagnostic excellence and promote national standards in colorectal pathology.
At GUTS, we believe that sharing our knowledge with the next generation of healthcare professionals is essential. That is why our scientific staff are committed to education and training, actively shaping future experts in biomedical sciences, medicine, and related fields. At Radboud University, Femke Doubrava-Simmer plays a key role in curriculum development as a member of the Research Committee for the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and as Vice Chair of the Electives Committee for the Bachelor programs in Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, and Medicine. In addition, Annemarie Boleij, Elisa Vink-Börger, Shannon van Lent-van Vliet, Natasja Rutgers, Iris Nagtegaal, and Chella van der Post contribute through lectures and hands-on support in laboratory practices at Radboud University and Twente University, ensuring students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
The Dutch Pathology Society (NVVP) is our national professional and scientific body (www.pathologie.nl). From 2024 Iris Nagtegaal is NVVP board member and chair of its Committee for Science, Innovation and Health evaluation (CWIZ).
The richtlijnendatabase (www.richtlijnendatabase.nl) is the collection for all guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in the Netherlands. Both Chella van der Post (Hereditary colorectal cancer; Gallbladder cancer) and Iris Nagtegaal (Colorectal cancer) are involved in guideline development.
The European Society of Pathology (www.esp-pathology.org) is the European professional body for pathologists. GUTS is one of the Advanced Training Centers of the ESP, with a focus on colorectal cancer screening.
The AJCC in collaboration with the UICC designs the staging methods for cancer. Iris Nagtegaal is member of the expert panel for lower gastrointestinal cancer.
The StOET (Foundation for diagnosing hereditary cancer: Stoet – Stichting Opsporing Erfelijke Tumoren (StOET)) is the national registry for patients with hereditary cancer. Chella van der Post is board member of this organisation.
ERN GENTURIS (European Reference Network on Genetic Tumour Risk Syndromes) is a European initiative dedicated to improving care for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Chella van der Post is Co-chair of ERN GENTURIS and is involved in research initiatives. https://www.genturis.eu/
Engaging with Patient Communities At GUTS, we are committed to ensuring that our research has a meaningful impact on patients and their families. Our team actively collaborates with patient organizations to share knowledge, raise awareness, and support informed decision-making. Chella van der Post engages closely with the Stichting CDH1 / Stamverwant patient foundation through: presentations at patient days, meetings with patient representatives, sharing lay summaries of research findings, with a focus on genetic counseling and surveillance, co-authoring the website www.erfelijkemaagkanker.nl, a resource for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. Iris Nagtegaal is a member of the Medical Science Advisory Board of the Global Colon Cancer Association, a worldwide patient advocacy group dedicated to improving outcomes for people affected by colorectal cancer. Annemarie Boleij contributes to public awareness and outreach through the development of promotional materials for the MDL Fonds, supporting digestive disease research and education. She organized a Health Social Laboratory for the EU project HEREDITARY to engage public stakeholders, including policy makers, patients and patient organizations in their research to create awareness and identify hurdles in bringing research findings to the public.
Members of GUTS are actively involved in shaping international clinical guidelines. We believe it is essential to translate our research insights into practice by contributing to the development of evidence-based recommendations. Our involvement is a recognition of the impact and quality of our scientific work. Chella van der Post is a member of the International Gastric Cancer Linkage Consortium (IGCLC), which regularly convenes to update the guidelines for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (2015/2020/2025). Iris Nagtegaal contributes to several international guidelines, including guidelines on T1 colorectal cancer (European Society of Coloproctology 2022); localized rectal cancer (EMSO guideline); colorectal liver metastasis (EORTC); adenomatous polyposis syndromes (EHTG-ESCP).
Former work
Palga – the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank is essential for the high quality of the Dutch diagnostic pathology and irreplacable for the national research infrastructure. Iris Nagtegaal was chair of the board from 2017 until 2023.
The Dutch Pathology Society (NVVP) is the national professional and scientific organization for pathologists in the Netherlands (www.pathology.nl). Dr. Chella van der Post was chair of the Expertisegroup for Gastrointestinal Pathology (EGIP) from its inception until 2024, strengthening collaboration among gastrointestinal pathologists. She also was as a member of the NVVP Scientific Committee from 2017 to 2024.
The UICC is the international organisation that defines the standard for cancer staging (www.uicc.org). From 2011 till 2019 Iris Nagtegaal was member of the expert board for lower gastrointestinal cancer. Currently, she is member of the TNM Global Advisory Group.
