What we do
About our project
The EVICT program (Exploiting Vulnerabilities Intrinsic to Cancer Cells for Therapy) is a precision oncology program to enhance diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of (peri-)ocular cancers including Uveal Melanoma. By leveraging the latest advances in molecular profiling and cellular modeling, EVICT aims to deliver more accurate tumor classification and develop targeted therapies for rare eye cancers.
As part of the Rotterdam Ocular Melanoma Study Group, we focus on uveal melanoma and rare (peri-)ocular tumors. We develop innovative models and diagnostics to improve patient outcomes, including zebrafish xenografts, transgenic zebrafish, cellular models, and organoids. Our team has refined liquid biopsy techniques—such as circulating tumor DNA and metabolomics—for early detection and disease monitoring. Our research has led to the validation of biomarkers and molecular signatures that inform prognosis and treatment, directly influencing clinical decision-making in eye-sparing therapies and metastatic risk assessment.
By integrating molecular , experimental and clinical data, EVICT aims to improve the management of (peri-)ocular cancers—enabling earlier detection, more precise risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapies. Ultimately, our team seeks to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families affected by these rare malignancies.
As part of the Rotterdam Ocular Melanoma Study Group, we focus on uveal melanoma and rare (peri-)ocular tumors. We develop innovative models and diagnostics to improve patient outcomes, including zebrafish xenografts, transgenic zebrafish, cellular models, and organoids. Our team has refined liquid biopsy techniques—such as circulating tumor DNA and metabolomics—for early detection and disease monitoring. Our research has led to the validation of biomarkers and molecular signatures that inform prognosis and treatment, directly influencing clinical decision-making in eye-sparing therapies and metastatic risk assessment.
By integrating molecular , experimental and clinical data, EVICT aims to improve the management of (peri-)ocular cancers—enabling earlier detection, more precise risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapies. Ultimately, our team seeks to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families affected by these rare malignancies.
Our research focus
Our team is dedicated to improve our understanding, risk stratification and treatment of rare (peri-) ocular cancers by integrating genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling to uncover new biological mechanisms that drive tumor evolution. By merging molecular data with in-vitro and in-vivo modeling, as well as clinical records and tumor characteristics, this program EVICT aims to refine risk assessment models, improve early detection, and personalize patient care. The program focuses on rare (peri-) ocular cancers such as uveal melanoma, retinal hemangioblastoma, sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid, and conjunctival melanoma, which present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their rarity and complexity.
The main objectives of EVICT are to identify subclass-specific biomarkers and tumor vulnerabilities for refined tumor stratification and targeted therapies, discover novel mechanisms underlying tumor development and hereditary cancer syndromes, improve risk prediction models by integrating molecular and clinical data, and evaluate and refine surveillance protocols for early identification and prevention in at-risk individuals.
In the EVICT program advanced sequencing technologies (long- and short-read) targeted or whole genome and RNA sequencing, to identify disease-causing genetic variants and build a robust reference cohort. Using spatial omics, our team gains detailed insights into gene expression and protein distribution and cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Patient-specific cellular models are created by reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are then differentiated and genetically engineered to mimic early cancer development. Tumor cell lines are also established directly from patient biopsies and modified to retain key tumor features. Through cellular reprogramming and genome editing, including the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce specific oncogenic mutations, EVICT develops functional models that closely reflect patient tumors. Similarly, our team aims to generate transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models to study tumor evolution and evaluate the oncogenic relevance of biomarkers. These models allow researchers to study tumor evolution, validate biomarkers, and test targeted therapies in a controlled, patient-specific context, ultimately supporting the discovery of new treatment strategies.
All molecular and clinical data are systematically collected and integrated within the Rotterdam peri-Ocular Cancer Study (ROCS) registry, creating a unified data infrastructure that supports in-depth analyses aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for (peri-)ocular cancers.
Through this integrated and innovative approach, EVICT aims to revolutionize the management of rare (peri-)ocular cancers, enabling earlier detection, more precise risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for patients and their families.
The main objectives of EVICT are to identify subclass-specific biomarkers and tumor vulnerabilities for refined tumor stratification and targeted therapies, discover novel mechanisms underlying tumor development and hereditary cancer syndromes, improve risk prediction models by integrating molecular and clinical data, and evaluate and refine surveillance protocols for early identification and prevention in at-risk individuals.
In the EVICT program advanced sequencing technologies (long- and short-read) targeted or whole genome and RNA sequencing, to identify disease-causing genetic variants and build a robust reference cohort. Using spatial omics, our team gains detailed insights into gene expression and protein distribution and cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Patient-specific cellular models are created by reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are then differentiated and genetically engineered to mimic early cancer development. Tumor cell lines are also established directly from patient biopsies and modified to retain key tumor features. Through cellular reprogramming and genome editing, including the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce specific oncogenic mutations, EVICT develops functional models that closely reflect patient tumors. Similarly, our team aims to generate transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models to study tumor evolution and evaluate the oncogenic relevance of biomarkers. These models allow researchers to study tumor evolution, validate biomarkers, and test targeted therapies in a controlled, patient-specific context, ultimately supporting the discovery of new treatment strategies.
All molecular and clinical data are systematically collected and integrated within the Rotterdam peri-Ocular Cancer Study (ROCS) registry, creating a unified data infrastructure that supports in-depth analyses aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for (peri-)ocular cancers.
Through this integrated and innovative approach, EVICT aims to revolutionize the management of rare (peri-)ocular cancers, enabling earlier detection, more precise risk stratification, and the development of personalized therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for patients and their families.
Funds & Grants
UitZicht
Algemene Nederlandse Vereniging ter Voorkoming van Blindheid
Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden
Rotterdamse Stichting Blindenbelangen
Stichting Oogfonds Nederland
Combined Ophthalmic Research Rotterdam
Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Oogziekenhuis
Stichting Riemerfonds voor Ooglijders
Prof. Dr. Henkes stichting
Algemene Nederlandse Vereniging ter Voorkoming van Blindheid
Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden
Rotterdamse Stichting Blindenbelangen
Stichting Oogfonds Nederland
Combined Ophthalmic Research Rotterdam
Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Oogziekenhuis
Stichting Riemerfonds voor Ooglijders
Prof. Dr. Henkes stichting
Collaborations
Rotterdam ocular Melanoma Center
Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam
Department of pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics
Oncogenetic research – group
Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
Erasmus MC Rare Disease Center
Erasmus MC Center for Familial and Hereditary cancer
Rotterdam Ocular Melanoma Center
Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam
Publications
https://pure.eur.nl/en/persons/emine-kili%C3%A7/publications/ and https://pure.eur.nl/en/persons/erwin-brosens/publications/
Our team
Erwin Brosens, PhD, Molecular Geneticist, Program Manager
Emine Kilic, MD, PhD, Ophthalmologist, Ocular Oncologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Rob Verdijk, MD, PhD, Ophthalmic Pathologist
Natasha van Poppelen, MD, PhD, Ophthalmologist, Ocular Oncology
Serdar Yavuzyigitoglu, MD, PhD, Ophthalmologist, Ocular Oncology
Jolanda Vaarwater, Ing, Senior Technician
Mike Wu, MSc, PhD candidate
Fabiana Bassil, MD, MSc, PhD Candidate
Kiki Bals, MSc, PhD Candidate
Bianca de Graaf, Ing, Senior Technician
Anja Wager, MD, PhD, Clinical Geneticist
Barbara van Paassen, MD, PhD, Clinical Geneticist
Marieke van Dooren, MD, PhD, Clinical Geneticist
Frank Magielsen, Ing, Database Administrator
