Knowledge exchange at SIOP 2026

From September 15 through 18, colleagues from the Princess Máxima Center will exchange their knowledge with international colleagues at SIOP 2026 in San Antonio. They will present new insights in pediatric oncology, ranging from treatments for leukemia and solid tumors, to surgery, hearing loss and quality of life. 

International collaboration 

At the international SIOP congress, professionals from around the world come together to share knowledge from care and research with the mission to cure every child with cancer, with an optimal quality of life. 

Since SIOP 2025, Chief Máxima International Rob Pieters started serving as President of SIOP, while Marry van den Heuvel-Eibrink started chairing SIOP’s Scientific Committee. Mary is particularly looking forward to strengthening international networks and collaborations. ‘The contributions from the Máxima Center show the breadth of our care and research.’ 

Martine Grotel is organizing a symposium on pulmonary complications in solid tumors.  There will also be a workshop by HARMONICA, an initiative in which researchers from North and South America, Asia and Europe share knowledge about kidney tumors in a multidisciplinary setting This transatlantic group has produced more than 50 international publications that contribute to better outcomes for children with kidney cancer. Co-chair Marry van den Heuvel-Eibrink: ‘HARMONICA opens the door to global collaboration.’ 

Other topics include lung toxicity and hearing loss caused by specific chemotherapy. During a lunch session, international colleagues will share experiences from a pilot on the implementation of sodium thiosulfate (STS). By sharing data internationally, researchers aim to improve prediction models and establish new collaborations. 

Treatment and diagnostics 

From pediatric oncology surgery, Lideke van der Steeg and Sheila Terwisscha van Scheltinga will share new insights into surgery for different tumors. 

During the President’s Lecture, Bastiaan Tops will discuss how nanopore sequencing, a technology that can read DNA directly, can help classify tumors in children. Read more about this application in brain tumors. 

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will also be addressed. Michel Zwaan will discuss the development of menin inhibitors for children with AML. Read more about the Zwaan group. 

SIOP-NEXT 

For SIOP-NEXT, Dennis Metselaar and Lot Sewing are organizing a full-day program at the children’s cancer research center in San Antonio (CCRI). They encourage young professionals at the postdoctoral level to use biology and translational research more strongly as a basis for clinical studies. Participants will also discuss different career perspectives. 

Young Investigator Award 

Two Máxima Center colleagues will receive a Young Investigator Award during SIOP. 

Lotte Koolen will receive the award for her research into families’ experiences with tumor donation after a child has died. Parents generally experience participation as positive and meaningful. The study also highlights the importance of good guidance and communication. Read more about the tumor donation study. 

Dario Valerio will receive a Young Investigator Award for research within the CHIP-AML22 study on quizartinib in combination with chemotherapy for children with a specific form of AML. Read more about CHIP-AML22. 

In addition, several PhD candidates will present their research during presentations and poster sessions. 

Quality of life 

Quality of life is also on the agenda. During the late-breaking abstract session, Nienke Streefkerk will show the impact of tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, on adults who had cancer as children. She advocates including tinnitus as a standard part of long-term follow-up care. Read more about the TRING-QS study. 

Gertjan Kaspers will speak about earlier recognition of childhood cancer and timely referral of children in low- and middle-income countries. SIOP also supports young professionals from these countries with scholarships. 

SIOP brings together colleagues and knowledge from around the world. The congress creates new connections to further improve care and outcomes for children with cancer.