Driving innovation in cancer care: how technology transforms the fight against metastatic cancer
The latest report from the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Metastatic Cancer 2025: Figures, Insights and Challenges (‘Uitgezaaide kanker 2025: Cijfers, inzichten en uitdagingen’), shows that survival rates for patients with primary metastatic cancer have slightly improved in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, 21% of these patients were still alive three years after diagnosis, compared to 17% in 2014–2018. This progress is mainly due to innovative treatments such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy. However, the challenge remains significant: half of all patients with metastatic cancer still die within seven months of diagnosis. Each year, around 22,000 people in the Netherlands learn at diagnosis that their cancer has already spread, and metastases are later discovered in another 18,000 patients.
Beyond longer survival, quality of life is a key concern. As the disease progresses, symptom burden increases and emotional well-being declines for both patients and their loved ones, especially in the last three months before death. The report therefore emphasizes the need for palliative care from the moment of diagnosis and calls for better monitoring and integrated data registration throughout the entire disease trajectory.
Connecting to technological innovation
The insights from the IKNL report highlight how crucial it is to invest not only in treatments but also in technologies that accelerate diagnostics, therapy development, and production processes. This is where High Tech NL Life Sciences, through its active role in the NXTGEN Hightech Biomedical Technologies projects (Biomed03, Biomed03, Biomed05), drives innovation and accelerates solutions for cancer care—specifically with initiatives like Lab-on-Chip for advanced diagnostics, Organ-on-Chip for testing of new therapies and Cell Production Technology for scalable cell-based therapies.
- Lab-on-Chip (Biomed02)
This project focuses on advanced miniature diagnostic systems capable of performing complex analyses directly on a chip. Lab-on-Chip technology enables faster and more accurate detection of cancer biomarkers, even from very small amounts of biological material. Many cancer-specific biomarkers are released in blood and urine, making this technology ideal for non-invasive testing. Its high sensitivity creates opportunities to detect cancer at an early stage, before metastasis occurs, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment. Furthermore, this approach paves the way for personalized therapies, as analyses can be performed close to the patient without relying on large laboratories. - Organ-on-Chip (Biomed03)
This project focuses on replicating human organ functions on a microfluidics chip to test the effectiveness of new cancer therapies in a more realistic way. By integrating patient-specific cells into a controlled environment, researchers can predict how tumors respond to drugs and immunotherapy without relying on animal testing. This technology accelerates the development of personalized treatments and increases the likelihood of successful therapies, especially in the early stages of drug development. - Cell Production Technology (Biomed05)
For innovative therapies such as immunotherapy and cell therapy, large-scale, standardized cell production is essential. The Biomed05 project develops technologies and processes to produce cells and cell-derived products on an industrial scale while maintaining quality and safety in a more automated and standardized way. This is key to making advanced treatments available to a broader group of patients.
All three projects are part of a larger ecosystem that connects biomedical science with high-tech manufacturing technologies. Through collaboration between companies, research institutions, and standardization bodies, an infrastructure is being created that positions the Netherlands as a leader in biomedical innovation.
Why technology and innovation Matter
The fight against metastatic cancer requires an integrated approach: better care, innovative therapies, and technological breakthroughs. By investing in projects such as Lab-on-Chip, Organ-on-Chip, and Cell Production Technology, we are building a future where diagnostics are faster, treatments more effective, and production processes scalable. This contributes to the goal of not only living longer but living better—even with a complex disease like metastatic cancer.