Prof. Dr. H.W. Kapiteijn (Ellen) has been a Professor at Leiden University since October 1, 2025, specializing in uveal and mucosal melanoma. She is affiliated with the Department of Medical Oncology at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Since 2010, she has been a staff member in the same department, combining clinical care with translational research into rare forms of melanoma. In January 2025, Prof. Kapiteijn was appointed as a member of the LUMC Diversity Council, where she is committed to promoting inclusion, equal opportunities, and a safe working environment within the institution. Prof. Kapiteijn earned her PhD cum laude in 2002 from Leiden University / LUMC with the dissertation “Advances in Treatment and New Insights in the Molecular Biology of Rectal Carcinoma,” supervised by Prof. Dr. C.J.H. van de Velde (surgeon, LUMC) and Prof. Dr. J.H.J.M. van Krieken (pathologist, UMCN, Nijmegen). In addition to her work at LUMC, Prof. Kapiteijn holds several national and international leadership positions. Since 2020, she has served as Chair of the national WIN-O Melanoma Group and is the initiator of the Dutch Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group (DMSCG). At the European level, she has chaired the EURACAN G9 group since 2018, focusing on rare skin tumors and non-cutaneous forms of melanoma. Prof. Kapiteijn’s research centers on improving the treatment of uveal and mucosal melanomas, with particular emphasis on building translational bridges between laboratory research and clinical practice.

More information about Ellen Kapiteijn

Prof. Dr. H.W. Kapiteijn (Ellen) has been a Professor at Leiden University since October 1, 2025, specializing in uveal and mucosal melanoma. She is affiliated with the Department of Medical Oncology at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Since 2010, she has been a staff member in the same department, combining clinical care with translational research into rare forms of melanoma.

In January 2025, Prof. Kapiteijn was appointed as a member of the LUMC Diversity Council, where she is committed to promoting inclusion, equal opportunities, and a safe working environment within the institution.

Prof. Kapiteijn earned her PhD cum laude in 2002 from Leiden University / LUMC with the dissertation “Advances in Treatment and New Insights in the Molecular Biology of Rectal Carcinoma,” supervised by Prof. Dr. C.J.H. van de Velde (surgeon, LUMC) and Prof. Dr. J.H.J.M. van Krieken (pathologist, UMCN, Nijmegen).

In addition to her work at LUMC, Prof. Kapiteijn holds several national and international leadership positions. Since 2020, she has served as Chair of the national WIN-O Melanoma Group and is the initiator of the Dutch Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group (DMSCG). At the European level, she has chaired the EURACAN G9 group since 2018, focusing on rare skin tumors and non-cutaneous forms of melanoma.

Prof. Kapiteijn’s research centers on improving the treatment of uveal and mucosal melanomas, with particular emphasis on building translational bridges between laboratory research and clinical practice.

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.