Five years Princess Máxima Center

Today marks exactly five years since the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology was officially opened by Queen Máxima. Since that day, all children with cancer in the Netherlands are treated at our center and research into childhood cancer has been concentrated in Utrecht. This creates better treatments and new perspectives on curing and quality of life for children with cancer. The anniversary is a time to reflect on the results of five years of innovation in care and research into childhood cancer at the Máxima Center.

Five years of milestones, including:

• Fewer complications during and after surgery in children with neuroblastoma

• Strongly improved survival rates for babies with leukemia through immunotherapy

• Intraoperative MRI (IO MRI) leading to fewer complications and repeat surgeries in children with brain tumors

• As the largest pediatric oncology center in Europe, an attractive partner for other centers and clinical trial networks worldwide

• A leading research environment with top talent from 40 different nationalities

Over the past five years, major steps have been taken to achieve the mission of the Princess Máxima Center: to cure every child with cancer, with optimal quality of life. Thanks to the concentration of care and research, the scale of operations, and international collaboration, the center has secured a leading position worldwide. This is paying off: 107 clinical studies have been opened, and new treatments such as various forms of immunotherapy and (research) technologies like intraoperative MRI, genome sequencing, precision medicine, a biobank, and data infrastructure have been developed at the research hospital built on the Utrecht Science Park.

The benefits of concentration

All treatments for children with cancer in the Netherlands are now concentrated in one center, whereas they were previously spread across seven hospitals. Prof. Dr. Rob Pieters, Chief Medical Officer, co-founder of the Princess Máxima Center, explains: “Concentration leads to super-specialization and greater expertise. Examples from our five years of operation include improvements in leukemia outcomes thanks to clinical studies with innovative treatments, and a significant reduction in complications during and after surgery in children with neuroblastoma.”

The Máxima has led studies such as the ALL-11 trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The five-year survival rate for children with this type of cancer has risen to 94%. The survival rate for babies with leukemia has also increased significantly, from 66% to 93%, by adding a specific form of immunotherapy to the treatment protocol.

Because all children with cancer are now treated at the Máxima Center, treatment with cellular immunotherapy (CAR T-cell therapy) has become available in the Netherlands. This innovative therapy has already cured a significant number of children with leukemia who did not respond to chemotherapy. Research and treatment using CAR T-cell therapy will soon get a boost with the construction of four cleanrooms on the new sixth and seventh floors of the Máxima building.

The introduction of intraoperative MRI (IO MRI) makes it possible to take new MRI scans during neurosurgery. This gives surgeons real-time insight into the size of the remaining brain tumor and its relation to surrounding brain tissue. The neurosurgeon can remove as much of the tumor as possible with greater precision, which is crucial for survival. It also reduces the need for repeat surgeries and helps prevent damage to healthy brain tissue.

Progress through integrated care and research

The Princess Máxima Center combines 87 parent–child rooms with a research institute. Children and parents see the researchers at work, and researchers see the children they are working for every day. Prof. Dr. Rob Pieters: “The integration of care and research at the Máxima creates a powerful synergy. Because all children with cancer are treated in one location, there’s a complete picture and, most importantly, more patient material and data available for research. Since all pediatric cancer research takes place here, children benefit more quickly from new findings.”

For every child treated at the Máxima since 2018, the available DNA and RNA — the genetic material from the tumor — has been analyzed through genome sequencing. For some children, this has already led to improved diagnoses and personalized treatment tailored to their specific cancer type. Tumor material remaining after diagnosis is stored in the Máxima’s biobank. Combined with the child’s data, it supports precision medicine and further scientific research, including the cultivation of organoids — 3D mini-tumors derived from rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive muscle tumor. More than 95% of children donate tumor tissue to the biobank. To date, samples from nearly 4,500 children — both survivors and those who have passed away — are stored there.

Innovative and international

Collaboration and innovation are at the heart of the Máxima Center. Drs. Gita Gallé, CFO/COO of the Princess Máxima Center: “In just five years, we have built a strong foundation in every area. Working closely with UMC Utrecht, other partners at Utrecht Science Park, and our 15 shared care centers, we’ve created a unique ecosystem. The Princess Máxima Center continues to grow — we are expanding our facilities to meet increasing demand. Our pharmacy, the first in Europe to use robots, has achieved major gains in quality and efficiency. The two robots prepare nearly 150,000 infusion bags and syringes annually with great precision.”

With its strong international position, the Máxima Center has increased access to clinical studies in the Netherlands. Collaborations with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States, the research center in Heidelberg, and the Twinning Program with Hopp-KiTZ and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) are key partnerships.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Eggermont, Chief Scientific Officer of the Princess Máxima Center: “Pediatric cancer is thankfully rare, so international collaboration is essential. As the largest pediatric oncology center in Europe, we are an attractive partner for other pediatric cancer centers and clinical trial networks worldwide. The Máxima Center is often the first to open for international treatment studies. Currently, 84% of children under treatment participate in one or more studies. These collaborations help accelerate the development of new and better treatment methods and attract top talent from around the world. With around 40 nationalities represented, and 37 research groups, our center offers an inspiring environment to work and learn. We ensure that the latest knowledge and treatment options reach children with cancer in the Netherlands as quickly as possible.”

Funding

The Princess Máxima Center was made possible thanks to the support of people throughout the Netherlands. Diagnosis and treatment are funded by health insurers and a contribution from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). However, the center depends entirely on donations and research funding from partners such as KiKa for its pioneering research. Donations to the Princess Máxima Center Foundation make innovative treatments possible and support special projects — from toys and children’s activities to advanced research equipment and cleanrooms, including those funded through the successful Missie 538 campaign.