University of Leiden / LUMC: -Oct 2025: Professor at the University of Leiden in “Uveal and mucosal melanoma”, Medical Oncology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands -2025, Jan – now: member of the diversity board, LUMC -2010 - now: Staff member Medical Oncology LUMC -2002: PhD Degree, Cum Laude, University of Leiden/LUMC, Departments of Surgery and Pathology: Thesis on “ Advances in treatment and new insights in molecular biology of rectal cancer”. Promotores: Prof. dr. C.J.H. van de Velde (surgeon, LUMC), Prof dr. J.H.J.M. van Krieken (pathologist UMCN, Nijmegen) Other: -Chair of the national WIN-O Melanoma group and initiator of the Dutch Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group (DMSCG), 2020 - now -Chair of the European EURACAN G9 group for rare skin cancers/non-cutaneous melanoma, 2018 - now

More information about Ellen Kapiteijn

University of Leiden / LUMC:

-Oct 2025: Professor at the University of Leiden in “Uveal and mucosal melanoma”, Medical Oncology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands

-2025, Jan – now: member of the diversity board, LUMC

-2010 - now: Staff member Medical Oncology LUMC

-2002: PhD Degree, Cum Laude, University of Leiden/LUMC, Departments of Surgery and Pathology: Thesis on “ Advances in treatment and new insights in molecular biology of rectal cancer”.

Promotores: Prof. dr. C.J.H. van de Velde (surgeon, LUMC), Prof dr. J.H.J.M. van Krieken (pathologist UMCN, Nijmegen)

Other:

-Chair of the national WIN-O Melanoma group and initiator of the Dutch Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group (DMSCG), 2020 - now

-Chair of the European EURACAN G9 group for rare skin cancers/non-cutaneous melanoma, 2018 - now

Uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a rare disease. Many patients develop metastases at some time after the primary treatment, most commonly in the liver, and these patients have a poor prognosis. The LUMC is a major national and international center for the treatment of primary uveal melanoma, for specialized therapies such as percutaneous hepatic perfusion, and for studies investigating new (combination) treatments for metastatic uveal melanoma. Mucosal melanoma is an even rarer form of melanoma, and its prognosis is also poor. Even after extensive surgery—which can cause significant side effects—patients often develop recurrences or metastases. Treatment options in this setting remain limited.

For both of these rare melanomas, there is a clear need for better therapeutic approaches. In the coming years, I aim to focus on this by strengthening collaborations within the LUMC, initiating new studies, and working with international partners to gain new insights that can help improve outcomes for patients.

Academic career

After finishing my master Medicine in 1997, I started my PhD-trajectory on rectal cancer which resulted in a cum laude defence in 2002 on “Advances in treatment and new insights in molecular biology of rectal cancer”.

During my training as medical oncologist, I started new projects on melanoma as principal investigator. This expanded to research (inter)nationally with participation in therapeutic trials, population-based data research, preclinical and immunological projects, and studies in older patients. In addition, I started research on metastasized uveal melanoma as the leading center in the Netherlands and one of the largest in the world, with participation in international studies with targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and exploration of percutaneous hepatic perfusion as a new treatment.

With regard to other rare melanomas, research has extended to mucosal and familial melanoma.

Per 1 October 2025, I have been appointed as full professor at the University of Leiden on “Uveal and mucosal melanoma”. My inaugural lecture will be on 15 January 2027.