News

Scientists discover common genetic and immunological cause in life-threatening COVID-19 cases

25 September 2020

Leuven scientists collaborated on two new trials, published in Science, that offer an explanation for at least 13 procent of severe COVID-19 cases.

Human papillomavirus virus now also standard for boys in the battle against oropharyngeal cancer

20 September 2020

For more than 10 years, Flemish girls are being vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer. Recently it has been shown that boys can also benefit from the vaccine as the virus can also cause oropharyngeal cancer in them.

First patients receive radiation therapy in the Leuven proton therapy centre

16 September 2020

The first patients to receive radiation therapy in the brand new proton therapy centre in Leuven were treated over the summer of 2020. Proton therapy is an innovative form of radiotherapy which targets a tumour very precisely, causing minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.

Belgian COVID-19 patient re-infected only three months after first infection

2 September 2020

A Belgian woman was infected twice with COVID-19. 93 days after the first infection she was re-infected. The patient's virus samples were mapped in the coronavirus reference lab (UZ Leuven, KU Leuven).

New technology can examine thousands of leukemia cells individually

20 August 2020

VIB, KU Leuven and UZ Leuven researchers, under the supervision of prof. Jan Cools, used a new technology to examine genetic defects in individual leukemia cells of patients with T-cell leukemia. Their trial sheds a new light on the development of leukemia and on how cells react to chemotherapy.

UZ Leuven prepares for a potential second corona wave

22 July 2020

UZ Leuven is prepared for a potential second COVID-19-wave. There is plan that can be scaled up should a larger amount of patients need care. At this moment, there is one hospital ward that admits proven and non-proven COVID-19-patients.

Leuven researchers warn for high expectations in IVF-treatments

15 July 2020

Leuven researchers have questionned couple undergoing IVF-treatment about their expectations surrounding the result of the treatment. Both men and women often seem to overestimate their chances of succes.

Positive effect of immune reaction to hormone-negative breast cancer less strong in obese patients

10 July 2020

The body of patients with a hormone-negative breast cancer often develops a strong immune response, with a positive effect on the chemotherapy's efficacy. Recent KU Leuven and UZ Leuven research have shown that the degree in which this beneficial effect manifests itself, depends on the body mass index (BMI).

Research Foundation allocates 15 mandates to Leuven clinical researchers

3 July 2020

The Research Foundation announced the names of the researchers granted a basic clinical mandate. Both for the new mandates and the renewed mandates, the UZ Leuven/KU Leuven researchers scored well.

More than two times as many patients qualify for a wireless minipacemaker thanks to new type

15 June 2020

On Thursday 28 May UZ Leuven implanted a new type of wireless minipacemaker in a patient. This was a first in Europe. The new generation minipacemakers allows two times as many patients qualify for this, in comparison with the first generation.

Leuven research maps micro-organisms in our eye

5 June 2020

UZ Leuven is currently running one for the first European large-scale trials into the micro-organisms that live on our ocular surface. Researchers hope to get a better insight in specific eye disorders.

Early detection of ALS and frontotemporal dementia

3 June 2020

A PET-MR brain scan can detect early changes in people with an increased risk of developing ALS or frontotemporal dementia as a result of a genetic error, as discovered by VIB, KU Leuven and UZ Leuven researchers.