Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, inequalities in access to treatment and survival of childhood cancer are observed across different geographic regions. In 2014, under the coordination of Hospital de Câncer Infantojuvenil de Barretos (Fundação Pio XII), six hospitals met weekly for case discussion. In 2019, the AMARTE (Apoio Maior Aumentando Recursos e Treinamentos Especializados) Alliance officially began with the aim to improve the quality of pediatric oncology care in Brazil and became a collaborative network of innovation, research, and learning with 31 member institutions in 2024. METHODS: AMARTE follows four strategic pillars: (1) equalize diagnostics, (2) homogenize treatment, (3) epidemiological and survival studies, and (4) scientific development and innovation. Fundação Pio XII and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provide infrastructure and human resources. Implementation resources are supported mainly by the member institution. The first strategic goal was to maintain sustainable member engagement. A semestral assessment (SCORE) monitors the progress and engagement level, based on defined indicators. RESULTS: Three engagement reports have been published, with an increase in members' scores: 17 hospitals increased their SCORE, 7 decreased, and 1 hospital did not change. Key achievements include a common data registry, diagnostic and treatment protocols, regular technical-scientific meetings, and the formation of a fundraising group to achieve financial sustainability. CONCLUSION: The first decade of the AMARTE Alliance highlights the relevance of collaboration in pediatric oncology. Challenges refer to the sustainable participation of specialists and heterogeneous governance structure across members, requiring flexibility in the implementation of shared initiatives. Outcome indicators are being developed to assess long-term impact.
Source: Pediatric Blood & Cancer
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.31986
Authors: Luiz Fernando Lopes, Patrícia Loggetto, André de Oliveira Junior, Bruna Farias, Carla Nunes, Aline Esmeraldo Andrade de Almeida, Anna Beatriz Costa Neves do Amaral, Anita Frisanco, Carmem Maria Costa Mendonça Fiori, Daniela Santana, Débora Garcia Gasperini, Eliane Francelino, Fabianne Carlesse, Fernanda Crizol Bazaglia, Flora Mitie Watanabe, Isis Quezado Magalhães, Joaquim Caetano de Aguirre Neto, Juliana Teixeira Costa, Karla Emilia de Sá Rodrigues, Mara A. D. Pianovski, Marcelo Milone, Maristella Bergamo Francisco dos Reis, Monnie Abraham, Rosemary Sanz, Seila Prado, Simone de Campos Viera Abib, Thelma Alves de Oliveira, Valdenize Tiziani, Viviany Oliveira Viana, Paola Friedrich, Monika L. Metzger, Carlos Rodriguez‐Galindo
Institutions: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Support group for adolescents and children with cancer, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Grupo Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Hospital Santa Izabel, Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto, Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, Médecins Sans Frontières
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,640
Award: G3690646728
OpenAlex ID: W4413998788