LOWLIGHT
  • Home
  • OVER ONS
  • THERAPIE
  • ONDERZOEK
  • TRAINING
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • THERAPY
  • RESEARCH
  • TRAINING
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT

About us

Wetenschap Uitgedokterd

The Limburg Oncologic Laser Institute (LOwLIght) is a structural collaboration in the field of low-level laser therapy and supportive cancer care. LOwLIght was founded in May 2019 via a collaboration between Hasselt University, the Limburg Oncologic Center, and the two largest hospitals of Limburg, Jessa ziekenhuis and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL), and is part of the Limburg Clinical Research Center (LCRC).

As a multidisciplinary team of professional caregivers and researchers we focus on the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the management of cancer therapy-related side effects. ​
Picture

How it started

Where are we now

The research group, led by Prof. Dr. Jeroen Mebis, is profoundly investigating the effectiveness of PBMT for two main side effects of chemo- and radiotherapy, oral mucositis (i.e. inflammation of the oral mucosal lining) and acute radiation dermatitis (i.e. inflammatory skin reaction) since 2007.  

PBMT is based on the application of visible and/or (near)-infrared light produced by laser diodes to stimulate wound healing and reduce inflammation, and pain. 

The use of PBMT in the prevention and management of oral mucositis has already been scientifically proven and taken up in the guidelines of several oncologic organizations (e.g. European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)). 

Our recent clinical studies demonstrated that PBMT also has beneficial effects for the prevention and management of acute radiodermatitis in both breast and head neck cancer patients. Moreover, it improves the patients' quality of life and general wellbeing significantly. ​
The results of our previous and ongoing clinical trials already resulted in several peer-reviewed publications. Moreover, dr. Robijns presented them at several national and international conferences. This has ultimately led to six scientific awards handed out by the ASLMS, MASCC, BSMO, WALT, and AGSMO. Also the press was impressed by the beneficial results, which gave rise to numerous newspaper reports, videos, online publications, and our research even was covered on the national television. ​​
Picture
Foto

MISSION

THERAPY
Picture
Research
Picture
TRAINING
Picture
LOwLIght will offer PBMT to oncologic patients undergoing chemo- and/or radiotherapy to diminsh the severity of oral mucositis and acute radiodermatitis. As such, we can improve the patients' quality of life. This will eventually results into an improved patient adherence and overall treatment outcome. 

We will further investigate the use of PBMT for other indications in the field of supportive cancer care within LOwLIght via scientific, clinical research. Recently a new pilot project was started in which we investigate the application of PBMT in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in breast cancer patients. 
​
LOwLIght will also offer up-to-date training sessions for healthcare professionals from other medical institutes to learn more about PBMT. Our research team has built up the necessary know how in the field of PBMT and supportive cancer care. Our goal is to share our knowledge in order to stimulate the implementation of PBMT at every (inter)national oncology-radiotherapy department. As such, every cancer patient can enjoy the advantages of this beneficial therapy. 

VISION

Picture
Our ultimate goal is to become a main player on (inter)national level in 3 domains: patient care, scientific research, and training. LOwLIght wants to be an important partner within the multidisciplinary treatment of the cancer patient. We want to become acknowledged as an innovative, high quality organization with an excellent reputation, a strong network, and a motivated team with an extensive expertise. The vision of LOwLIght to combine clinical research with patient care in order to make progress in the field of supportive cancer care.

​

OUR TEAM

Principal investigator

Picture

Prof. Dr. Jeroen Mebis
Head of  medical oncology department Jessa Hospital
Professor UHasselt 

Coordinator LOwLIght

Picture

Dr. Jolien Robijns
Postdoctoral researcher
​LCRC 

Scientific researcher

Picture

Joy Lodewijckx
PhD student
​LCRC

Laser and wound care nurse

Picture

Leen Van Bever
Wound care nurse radiotherapy
​ Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Picture

 Ruth Hilkens
Physician assistant oncology
​Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Picture

Hilde Lenders
Oncocoach
​​Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Picture

Sandra Bortels
Oncocoach
​​Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Picture

Ingrid Geuns
Physician assistant hematology
​ Jessa hospital

Wound care nurse

Picture

Stefan Claes
Radiotherapy nurse
​Jessa hospital

Medical coordinator LOC 

Picture

Dr. Paul Bulens
Radiotherapist
Jessa hospital

Nurse coordinator LOC

Picture

Luc Pannekoeke
Head nurse radiotherapy 
Jessa hospital

Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Annelies Maes
Jessa hospital - ZOL
​


Radiotherapeut LOC

Picture

Dr. Leen Noé
Jessa hospital


Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Marc Brosens
Jessa hospital

Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Laura Van den Bergh
Jessa hospital - ZOL
 

Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Kathleen Verboven
Jessa hospital

Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Evelyn Van de Werf
ZOL

Radiotherapist LOC

Picture

Dr. Mieke Govers
ZOL

Radiotherapist LOC

Laser nurse

Laser nurse

Foto
Foto
Foto

Dr. Yves Staelens
ZOL

Wendy Nassen 
Oncocoach
​Jessa hospital

Sylvana Snoekx
Nursing specialist in oncology
​Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Laser nurse

Laser nurse

Foto
Foto
Foto

Laura Dorissen 
Hematology nurse
​Jessa hospital

Sarah Leeten
​
Hematology nurse
​Jessa hospital

Tessy Herteweg
​
Hematology nurse
​Jessa hospital

Laser nurse

Laser nurse

Laser nurse

Foto

Liesbeth Raymakers
Study nurse
​Jessa hospital

Foto

Rita Coppers
​
Radiotherapy nurse
​Jessa hospital

Foto

Wendy Ruysen
Radiotherapy nurse
​Jessa hospital

  • Home
  • OVER ONS
  • THERAPIE
  • ONDERZOEK
  • TRAINING
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • THERAPY
  • RESEARCH
  • TRAINING
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT