News

UZ Leuven expert teams granted renewal ERN-accreditation

19 September 2023

Earlier this year the UZ Leuven expert teams that joined the European Rare Disease Reference Networks (ERNs) in 2017 participated in an evaluation of their accreditation as centres of expertise. Following their evaluation, 18 teams can renew their accreditation for five years.

New drug against Crohn's disease available

1 September 2023

Good new for patients with Crohn's disease: the new, promising drug risankizumab is since recently being reimbursed. Another two drugs will come on the market soon: one for Crohn's disease and another for colitis ulcerosa, that other chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

New study maps which health factors influence male testosterone levels

31 August 2023

Ground-breaking international research that UZ Leuven participated in, provides important insights about the complex relationship between hormones and male health.

New figures on quality of care for breast cancer

30 August 2023

Anyone facing breast cancer, is in good hands in Flemish hospitals, as shown by recent figures from the Vlaams Instituut voor Kwaliteit van Zorg (VIKZ). However, breast cancer experts at UZ Leuven have some important reservations and urge caution when making conclusions and comparisons.

First treatment with reimbursed gene therapy Zolgensma at UZ Leuven

25 August 2023

At the end of 2021 the reimbursement of the gene therapy Zolgensma® for the treatment of the rare nerve disorder SMA was approved in Belgium. Recently, doctors at UZ Leuven were able to treat a first patient with the commercial product. In case of a timely diagnosis Zolgensma® can influence the severity of the disease.

UZ Leuven develops new classification model for congenital kidney disease in children

24 July 2023

Leuven doctors have developed a new model that can predict the growth of kidneys in children with the congenital kidney disease ADPKD based on 3D ultrasound images. By finding out in which children the disease will rapidly become serious, it is better to intervene in an early stage.

New preventive drug against CMV infection after kidney transplant has fewer side effects

11 July 2023

UZ Leuven doctors have collaborated on a large trial into preventive drugs against the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after a kidney transplant. They discovered that letermovir, a drug with a new operating mechanism, prevents infections just as well as the classic approach, but has less serious adverse effects.

Donations to UZ Leuven: all options listed

6 July 2023

All information about donations have been listed on the brand new website uzleuven.be/steun. Find out how you can support UZ Leuven and through which channels you can make a donation.

A step closer to an AI-assistant that can detect glaucoma

4 July 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help ophthalmologists recognise glaucoma, the main cause of blindness. Belgian researchers have developed a new AI model and trained it with eye images of patients at UZ Leuven. The algorithm was able to detect glaucoma in 13 external datasets.

Orientation and follow-up programme home care (OOTT)

3 July 2023

OOTT stands for Oriëntatie en OpvolgingsTraject Thuiszorg (orientation and follow-up programme) for vulnerable elderly people. This customised support ensure that you can continue to live at home under the best conditions for as long as possible.

Protecting transplant patients against COVID-19 requires customised approach

22 June 2023

Leuven doctors investigated in 1,878 transplant patients to what extent they were protected against COVID-19 after repeated vaccination. The study confirms the safety of vaccines, but found striking differences in antibody production and protection against severe COVID-19-infection.

Leuven to host the World Transplant Games in 2027

14 June 2023

The city of Leuven, UZ Leuven, Transplantoux – with the support of IM Associates -, KU Leuven and the Leuven Convention Bureau joined forces to bring the World Transplant Games to Leuven in in 2027.