About our research group/lab
The Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Group (IntraOptix Research Group) brings together researchers and clinicians working in the field of intraoperative optical imaging across eight surgical specialties within Erasmus MC. Through close multidisciplinary collaboration, we accelerate the development, evaluation, and clinical implementation of novel imaging technologies that support surgical decision-making.
Our integrated approach has enabled the successful execution of numerous clinical trials, improved coordination and utilization of imaging facilities, and facilitated joint investments in innovative imaging systems and research infrastructure. In addition, we serve as a central point of coordination for collaborations with key institutional partners, including the hospital pharmacy, the Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC), and the Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
A unique strength of our group is the close integration of imaging research with pathology. Since pathological validation is essential for the evaluation of intraoperative imaging technologies, we have established a robust and clinically standardized workflow for pathological analysis that is among the most comprehensive worldwide. Furthermore, through a shared postdoctoral appointment in Imaging Physics with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), we remain closely connected to the latest technological innovations, fostering new collaborations and research initiatives.
Our impact extends beyond Erasmus MC. As co-founders and board members of the Dutch Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Group, we actively promote national and international collaborations, educational initiatives, and scientific conferences. In addition, members of our group serve on international advisory and leadership committees, including the Global Advisory Board of the International Society for Fluorescence Guided Surgery (ISFGS), contributing to the advancement and standardization of fluorescence-guided surgery worldwide. This network continues to grow through close partnerships with leading researchers at Leiden University Medical Centre and other institutions.
Over the past decade, the group has evolved into one of the leading centers in the rapidly expanding field of intraoperative optical imaging. As one of the largest oncological centers in the Netherlands, with particular expertise in cancers such as head and neck cancer, Erasmus MC offers a unique environment for conducting large-scale translational and clinical studies that drive innovation in image-guided surgery.
Our research portfolio spans the full spectrum of translational and clinical intraoperative optical imaging, from first-in-human studies and multicentre clinical trials to technology development and image-analysis innovation. Many of our projects are conducted in close collaboration with national and international partners, particularly Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). By combining clinical expertise with advances in imaging physics, engineering, pathology, and data science, we aim to accelerate the development and implementation of next-generation image-guided surgery.
- Intraoperative tumor-specific fluorescence imaging of oral cancer (“Guided by Light” trial, “SURF” trial); laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer (“STELLAR” trial)
- Intraoperative ex-vivo tumor-specific fluorescence imaging of cancer (“RESIDUAL trial”)
- Fluorescence imaging of recurrent and locally advanced rectal cancer using SGM-101 (“SGM-LARRC trial”)
- Vascular perfusion of anastomosis and reconstructive surgery
- IMPACT trial: perfusion imaging in trauma surgery
- RULER project: perfusion imaging in vascular surgery
- FAFI trial: perfusion imaging of DIEP flaps
- Quantification studies in colorectal surgery
- Ureter visualization using fluorescence imaging (“TRIPHASE trial”)
- Sentinel lymph node imaging using fluorescence imaging during oncological surgery (melanoma and breast cancer)
- Fluorescence-guided surgery in benign pediatric head and neck lesions (“GLOW-KIDS” trial)
- Complementary use of fluorescence-guided surgery and various spectroscopic techniques
- ICG Fluorescence Lifetime and Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Detection of Occult Lymph Node Metastasis (FLARE project)
- Combining Optoacoustic imaging with fluorescence-guided surgery (PREDAPT project)
- Cancer tissue analysis using Computational Scattered Light Imaging (ComSLI)
2026
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging-guided surgery using cRGD-ZW800 to improve surgical resection margins in oral cancer: a phase I/II feasibility trial.Zweedijk BE, Lauwerends LJ, Galema HA, Robinson DJ, de Bruijn HS, Abbasi H, March TL, Valentijn ARPM, Pool M, Mast H, Jonker BP, Hardillo JAU, Monserez D, Sewnaik A, Koljenovic S, Verhoef C, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Frangioni JV, Koppes SA, Hilling DE, Vahrmeijer AL, Keereweer S.
Nature Commun. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73554-7. PMID: 42173866
Evaluating the utility of ICG-based NIR imaging for small intestine neuroendocrine tumors: Challenges and the need for tumor-specific tracers.Dalmeijer SWR, Zweedijk BE, Boldewijn DF, Galema HA, van Ginhoven TM, Franssen GJH, van Velthuysen ML, Grünhagen DJ, Verhoef C, Vahrmeijer AL, Hilling DE, Keereweer S.
Surg Oncol. 2026 May 12;66:102443. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2026.102443.PMID: 42150271
Whole-slide mapping of tumor tissue fiber architecture via computational scattered light imaging.Abbasi H, Ettema L, van Elk R, Eskes M, Doukas M, Koppes SA, Keereweer S, Menzel M.
Biomed Opt Express. 2026 Apr 29;17(5):2675-2691. doi: 10.1364/BOE.595972. eCollection 2026 May 1.PMID: 42145674
Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging for Intraoperative Perfusion Assessment of the Bone During Elective Non-union Surgery: A Feasibility Study.Koning S, Boldewijn DF, Dalmeijer SWR, Zweedijk BE, Kruiswijk MW, Peul RC, van der Aa LE, Planting I, Tange FP, Hoven van den P, Hilling DE, Keereweer S, Vahrmeijer AL, Verhofstad MHJ, Hamming JF, Schipper IB, Wijffels MME, van der Vorst JR.
JB JS Open Access. 2026 Apr 7;11(2):e25.00177. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.25.00177. eCollection 2026 Apr-Jun.PMID: 41938048
2025
Molecular-Targeted Fluorescence Lymph Node Imaging Could Play a Clinical Role in the Surgical Setting: A Systematic Review.Zweedijk BE, Dalmeijer SWR, van Manen L, Galema HA, Lauwerends LJ, Abbasi H, Kremer B, Verhoef C, Robinson DJ, Koppes SA, Vahrmeijer AL, van der Vorst JR, Hilling DE, Keereweer S.
Cancers (Basel). 2025 Apr 17;17(8):1352. doi: 10.3390/cancers17081352.PMID: 40282528
Establishing reference curves for vital tissue perfusion using quantitative near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green.Tange FP, Peul RC, van den Hoven P, Koning S, Kruiswijk MW, Faber RA, Verduijn PS, van Rijswijk CSP, Galema HA, Hilling DE, van Dijk SPJ, van Ginhoven TM, Keereweer S, Mureau MAM, Feitsma EA, Noltes ME, Kruijff S, Driessen C, Achiam MP, Schepers A, van Schaik J, Mieog JSD, Vahrmeijer AL, Hamming JF, van der Vorst JR.
Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2025 Jan 8;410(1):28. doi: 10.1007/s00423-024-03589-1.PMID: 39777554
2024
Effects of Neoadjuvant Therapy on Tumour Target Expression of Oesophageal Cancer Tissue for NIR Fluorescence ImagingGalema HA, Neijenhuis LKA, Lauwerends LJ, Dekker-Ensink NG, Verhoef C, Vahrmeijer AL, Bhairosingh SS, Kuppen PJK, Rogalla S, Burggraaf J, Lagarde SM, Wijnhoven BPL, Hutteman M, Doukas M, Keereweer S, Hilling DE.
Mol Imaging Biol. 2024 Dec;26(6):955-964. doi: 10.1007/s11307-024-01962-6. Epub 2024 Nov 19.PMID: 39562416
Why and how optical molecular imaging should further be catalyzed by nuclear medicine and molecular imaging: report from the EANM piloting group.
Vonk J, Dierckx RAJO, Keereweer S, Vahrmeijer AL, Verburg FA, Kruijff S.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2024 Oct;51(12):3501-3504. doi: 10.1007/s00259-024-06729-3.PMID: 38787394
Fiat lux: the dawn of fluorescence in molecular imaging of differentiated thyroid cancer.
Verburg FA, Keereweer S.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2024 Jul;51(8):2382-2383. doi: 10.1007/s00259-023-06549-x.PMID: 38040930
Intraoperative molecular imaging of colorectal lung metastases with SGM-101: a feasibility study.
Meijer RPJ, Galema HA, Faber RA, Bijlstra OD, Maat APWM, Cailler F, Braun J, Keereweer S, Hilling DE, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M; SGM-CLM study group.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2024 Aug;51(10):2970-2979. doi: 10.1007/s00259-023-06365-3. Epub 2023 Aug 8.PMID: 37552367
Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence bowel perfusion assessment to prevent anastomotic leakage in minimally invasive colorectal surgery (AVOID): a multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial
Robin A Faber, Ruben P J Meijer, Daphne H M Droogh, Jasmijn J Jongbloed, Okker D Bijlstra, Fran Boersma, Jeffrey P B M Braak, Elma Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg, Hein Putter, Fabian A Holman, J Sven D Mieog, Peter A Neijenhuis, Esther van Staveren, Johanne G Bloemen, Jacobus W A Burger, Tjeerd S Aukema, Mark A M Brouwers, Andreas W K S Marinelli, Marinke Westerterp, Pascal G Doornebosch, Annelies van der Weijde, Koop Bosscha, Henricus J M Handgraaf, Esther C J Consten, Daan J Sikkenk, Jacobus Burggraaf, Stijn Keereweer, Joost R van der Vorst, Merlijn Hutteman, Koen C M J Peeters, Alexander L Vahrmeijer, Denise E Hilling
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Oct;9(10):924-934. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00198-5. Epub 2024 Aug 13.PMID: 39151436
Tumour Marker Expression in Head and Neck Malignancies to Identify Potential Targets for Intraoperative Molecular Near-Infrared Imaging.
Lauwerends LJ, Zweedijk BE, Galema HA, Neijenhuis LKA, Dekker-Ensink NG, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Verhoef C, Bhairosingh SS, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, van Ginhoven TM, Koljenović S, Koppes SA, Hilling DE, Keereweer S.
Mol Diagn Ther. 2024 Nov;28(6):811-820. doi: 10.1007/s40291-024-00742-w. Epub 2024 Sep 9.PMID: 39251469
Transcutaneous sentinel lymph node detection in skin melanoma with near-infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green.
Zweedijk BE, Schurink AW, van Dalen T, van Ginhoven TM, Verhoef C, Kremer B, Hilling DE, Keereweer S, Grünhagen DJ.
Melanoma Res. 2024 Dec 1;34(6):504-509. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000994. Epub 2024 Aug 2.PMID: 39088239
2023:
Intraoperative molecular imaging of colorectal lung metastases with SGM-101: a feasibility study.
Meijer RPJ, Galema HA, Faber RA, Bijlstra OD, Maat APWM, Cailler F, Braun J, Keereweer S, Hilling DE, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M; SGM-CLM study group.Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2023 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s00259-023-06365-3. Online ahead of print.PMID: 37552367
Quantification of indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence bowel perfusion assessment in colorectal surgery.
Faber RA, Tange FP, Galema HA, Zwaan TC, Holman FA, Peeters KCMJ, Tanis PJ, Verhoef C, Burggraaf J, Mieog JSD, Hutteman M, Keereweer S, Vahrmeijer AL, van der Vorst JR, Hilling DE.
Surg Endosc. 2023 Sep;37(9):6824-6833. doi: 10.1007/s00464-023-10140-8. Epub 2023 Jun 7.PMID: 37286750
A quantitative assessment of perfusion of the gastric conduit after oesophagectomy using near-infrared fluorescence with indocyanine green.
Galema HA, Faber RA, Tange FP, Hilling DE, van der Vorst JR; Upper-GI ICG quantification study group.
Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023 May;49(5):990-995. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.02.017. Epub 2023 Mar 2.PMID: 36914531
Fluorescence-guided surgery using methylene blue to improve identification of metastatic small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours.
Galema HA, van Ginhoven TM, Franssen GJH, Hofland J, Bouman CGOT, Verhoef C, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M, Hilling DE, Keereweer S.
Br J Surg. 2023 Apr 12;110(5):541-544. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znad043.
Development of a near-infrared Raman spectroscopy setup compatible with fluorescence-guided surgery.
Abbasi H, Lauwerends LJ, Bakker Schut TC, Santos IP, Caspers PJ, Hardillo JAU, Koljenović S, Vahrmeijer AL, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Keereweer S, Puppels GJ.
Analyst. 2023 Jun 12;148(12):2676-2682. doi: 10.1039/d3an00077j.
2022:
The complementary value of intraoperative fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy for cancer surgery: combining the incompatibles.
Lauwerends LJ, Abbasi H, Bakker Schut TC, Van Driel PBAA, Hardillo JAU, Santos IP, Barroso EM, Koljenović S, Vahrmeijer AL, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Puppels GJ, Keereweer S.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2022 Jun;49(7):2364-2376. doi: 10.1007/s00259-022-05705-z. Epub 2022 Feb 1.
Fluorescence-guided surgery in colorectal cancer; A review on clinical results and future perspectives.
Galema HA, Meijer RPJ, Lauwerends LJ, Verhoef C, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M, Keereweer S, Hilling DE.
Eur J Surg Oncol. 2022 Apr;48(4):810-821. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.10.005. Epub 2021 Oct 9.
Real-time fluorescence imaging in intraoperative decision making for cancer surgery
Lorraine J Lauwerends, Pieter B A A van Driel, Robert J Baatenburg de Jong,
José A U Hardillo, Senada Koljenovic, Gerwin Puppels, Laura Mezzanotte, Clemens W G M Löwik, Eben L Rosenthal, Alexander L Vahrmeijer, Stijn Keereweer.
The Lancet Oncology Published online March 22, 2021 doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30600-8.
Fluorescence-guided surgery in colorectal cancer; A review on clinical results and future perspectives.
Galema HA, Meijer RPJ, Lauwerends LJ, Verhoef C, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M, Keereweer S & Hilling DE.
Eur J Surg Oncol. 2021 Oct 9:S0748-7983(21)00755-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.10.005.
Current Intraoperative Imaging Techniques to Improve Surgical Resection of Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review.
Lauwerends LJ, Galema HA, Hardillo JAU, Sewnaik A, Monserez D, van Driel PBAA, Verhoef C,
Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Hilling DE, Keereweer S.
Cancers (Basel). 2021 Apr 15;13(8):1895. doi: 10.3390/cancers13081895.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Department of Surgical Oncology and Gastrointestinal Surgery
Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
Department of Molecular Genetics
Department of Surgical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center
Imaging Physics Department - Technical University Delft, The Netherlands
2026: NWO ENW-XS
PIs: Hamed Abbasi, Stijn Keereweer
Title: Spray-On DNA Repair Marker Imaging for Tumor Margin Detection in Head and Neck Cancer
Funding: € 49.503,00
2025: NWO ENW-XS
PIs: Hamed Abbasi, Stijn Keereweer
Title: Identifying prognostic markers of oral cancer using a novel computational microscopy technique
Funding: € 50.000,00
2025: Erasmus MC-TKI-LSH Match Call II for PPP Allowance
PIs: Hamed Abbasi, Dominic Robinson, Stijn Keereweer
Consortium partner: Single Quantum B.V.
Title: “ICG Fluorescence Lifetime and Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Detection of Occult Lymph Node Metastasis”
Funding: € 606.770,00
2024: Erasmus MC-TKI-LSH
PIs: Francis Kalloor, Gijs van Soest, Dominic Robinson, Stijn Keereweer
Title: Precision Tumor Resection with Deformable and Targeted Photoacoustic Imaging (PREDAPT)
Funding: € 776.632,00
2024: Michel Keijzer Fonds - Patiëntenvereniging Hoofd-Hals
PI: Stijn Keereweer, Denise Hilling
Title: “Ex-vivo topicale fluorescente beeldvorming: een unieke nieuwe techniek om tijdens de operatie te controleren of strottenhoofdkanker volledig is verwijderd.”
Funding: € 100.000,00
2023: Team Westland
PI: Stijn Keereweer, Denise Hilling
Title: “Gebruik van fluorescent licht om strottenhoofdkanker nauwkeuriger te kunnen verwijderen.”
Funding: € 161.000,00
2020: Maurits en Anna de Kock Stichting
PI: Stijn Keereweer, Tessa van Ginhoven
Title: “Improving surgical removal of oral cancer using fluorescence-guided surgery.”
Funding: € 40.000,00
2019: Daniel den Hoed Award / Erasmus MC Fund
PI: Stijn Keereweer (Personal Grant)
Post-doc: Hamed Abbasi
Title: “Improving surgical removal of oral cancer using a unique, innovative combination of fluorescence-guided surgery and Raman spectroscopy”
Funding: € 250.000,00
2019: Young Investigator Grant from the Dutch Cancer Society
PI: Stijn Keereweer (Personal Grant)
PhD student: L. Lauwerends
Title: “Guided by light: Optimizing surgical excision of oral cancer using real-time fluorescence imaging”
Funding: € 497.935,00
2019: Applied Efficiency Grant / Erasmus MC
PI: Dirk Grunhagen, Stijn Keereweer
PhD Student: E. Mulder
Title: “MOTOR pilot study - Ex Vivo Application of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography & Reflectance Spectroscopy in Lymph Nodes and Pigmented Tissue”
Funding: € 86.108,00
2019: Maurits en Anna de Kock Stichting
PI: Stijn Keereweer, Elisa Barroso
Title: “Improving surgical removal of oral cancer using an innovative combination of fluorescence-guided surgery and Raman spectroscopy.”
Funding: € 36.370,00
2018: Dutch Cancer Society Consortium Grant
PI: Denise Hilling, Kees Verhoef, Alexander Vahrmeijer (LUMC), Harm Rutten (CZE)
PhD student: Job van Kooten, Hidde Galema, Jan van Rees
Title: Tumour-specific near-infrared fluorescence imaging in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer
Funding: € 1.071.553,00
Department of Otorhinolaryngology:
- Stijn Keereweer (principal investigator)
- Bernd Kremer
- Hamed Abbasi
- Lorraine Lauwerends (PhD candidate)
- Hidde Galema (PhD)
- Bo Zweedijk (PhD candidate)
- Bas Dalmeijer (PhD candidate)
- Danielle Boldewijn (PhD candidate)
- Jochem van den Biggelaar (PhD candidate)
- Isabel de Bruijn (PhD candidate)
Department of Surgical Oncology:
- Prof. Kees Verhoef
- Tessa van Ginhoven
- Dirk Grunhagen
- Hidde Galema
- Pierre Ambrosini (PhD candidate)
- Bo Zweedijk (PhD candicate)
- Bas Dalmeijer (PhD candidate)
- Danielle Boldewijn (PhD candidate)
Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine:
Prof. F.A. Verburg
Department of Plastic Surgery:
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery:
- Lex Maat
- Edris Mahtab
Department of Gynaecological Oncology:
- Lena van Doorn
- Heleen van Beekhuizen
- Gatske Nieuwenhuyzen-De Boer
- Nick van de Berg
- Prof. Clemens Dirven
- Arnaud Vincent
- Rutger Balvers
Departement of Cardiology:
- Prof. Gijs van Soest
- Francis Kalloor (post-doc)
- Anjali Thomas (post-doc)
Department of Molecular Genetics and Radiation Oncology:
- Jeroen Essers
- Kranthi Panth
- Sharline Perez (PhD candidate)
- Prof. Joost Boormans
- Sytse van Beek
Department of Vascular Surgery:
- Jorg de Bruin
Department of Surgical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center
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