Research Areas
The structure of the research training in Butterfly rests upon five research areas developing complete translation from bench to bedside: (1) Brain Tumours, (2) Haematology Malignancies, (3) Solid Tumours, (4) Quality of Life, and (5) New Technologies.
These research areas are based on the M4C structure (Máxima Comprehensive Childhood Cancer Center) of the Princess Máxima Center. The M4C forms the biotope for clinical scientists, pediatric oncologists and other clinical specialists who are engaged in research. These professionals work continually on new treatment protocols and methods based on the latest studies and techniques. The partnership between scientific researchers and clinical specialists will inspire progress in the domains of largest clinical need and will stimulate advances in translational research. Parallel to the four clinical departments of the Princess Máxima Center, the M4C has four main programs: hemato-oncology, neuro-oncology, solid tumors and quality of life. So-called “cross-cutting horizon themes” strengthen the connection between care and research. The goal of the M4C programs is to allow (pre)clinical researchers and care professionals – doctors, nurses, paramedics and psychosocial staff – to work together intensively, so that we shape the most important translational themes in the Princess Máxima Center. The M4C aims to simplify and accelerate the translation of fundamental, preclinical and clinical research, carried out by ourselves and by others, to clinical practice, while this research generates ideas from patient care.
The hemato-oncology program comprises five multidisciplinary programs:
- Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL)
- Lymphomas
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Myelodysplastic syndrome/bone marrow failure
- Allogeneic stem cell therapy (SCT)
The neuro-oncology program comprises three multidisciplinary programs:
- Gliomas
- Embryonal tumors
- Craniopharyngiomas
The solid tumor program comprises six multidisciplinary programs:
- Neuroblastomas
- Soft tissue and bone tumors
- Kidney tumors
- Germ cell tumors
- Liver tumors
- ‘Rare’ tumors
The quality of life program comprises three multidisciplinary programs:
- Supportive care
- Psychosocial care
- Late effects
The fifth research area: ‘New Technologies’ overlaps within the four multidisciplinary programs.