dr. Dennis Vriens MD, PhD

Over Dennis Vriens

I (1981) am an experienced allround academic nuclear medicine physician and researcher in molecular imaging.

My main clinical areas of special expertise are: thyroid cancer and other endocrine tumours (diagnostics, therapy using iodine-131), neuro-endocrine oncology (diagnostics), head & neck cancer (diagnostics) and prostate cancer (diagnostics including PSMA PET-CT, therapeutics including radium-223 [Xofigo], samarium-153 [Quadramet] and strontium-89 [Metastron]).

My main research areas of special expertise are: quantitative nuclear medicine (PET and SPECT), molecular imaging biomarkers, image processing and analysis, multimodality imaging of tumours, thyroid diseases, metabolic bone diseases, technological innovations. My PhD project’s topic was quantitative PET-CT in solid tumours.

I teach nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and related technologies (gamma camera, SPECT-CT, PET-CT) on a regular basis and am regular reviewer for Journals in my field.

I currently am actively involved in both the Board and Scientific Committee of the Dutch Thyroid Cancer Group (DTCG) and the Scientific Committee of the Dutch Adrenal Network (DAN). I chaired the Committee on Scientific Meetings of the Dutch Society of Nuclear Medicine (NVNG), organising one-day symposia for nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, residents, medical physicists, radiochemists and radiopharmacists twice a year.

Onder­scheidingen

• 2023: Bontius Fundraising Gala by the Lionsclub Nieuwkoop for ‘CD8-immunoPET guided Lesion selection to improve rEsponse to Cell Therapy (INTELLECT)’: co-beneficiary
• 2023: Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) ThemaCall Biomarkers Grant for ‘[18F]FAPI-PET/CT and LAparoscopy in STagIng advanced gastric Cancer: a multicenter prospective study (PLASTIC-3-study)’: co-applicant
• 2023: LUMC Themes for Innovation 2023 for ‘CD8-immunoPET guided Lesion selection to improve rEsponse to Cell Therapy (INTELLECT)’: main applicant
• 2020: Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) Project Grant for ‘Real-time in vivo dosimetry for proton therapy of eye, brain and head and neck cancer’: co-applicant
• 2013: Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) Clinical Fellowship Grant for residency training internship at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München: main applicant
• 2010: Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) stipends / Clinical Research Fellowship (AGIKO): main applicant

Nevenfuncties

• 2021-current: Co-chair of Scientific Committee, Dutch Thyroid Cancer Group
• 2021-current: Scientific Advisory Board, Dutch Adrenal Network;
• 2019-current: Board / member of Scientific Committee, Dutch Thyroid Cancer Group
• 2019-current: Scientific Editorial Board, European Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Section

Expertise

• Thyroid Cancer (molecular imaging, treatment)
• Endocrine Diseases (Molecular Imaging)
• Head & Neck Oncology (Molecular Imaging)
• Quantitative Molecular Imaging & Dosimetry
• Prostate Cancer (Molecular Diagnostics, Radionuclide Therapy)
• (applied) Health Technology Assessment