Survival rates of children with cancer continue to increase
The survival rate of children with cancer continues to rise, according to figures published by IKNL. Healthcare professionals and scientists at the Princess Máxima Center remain committed to curing even more children with cancer and improving the quality of life of children and survivors.
Compared to the period 1990-1999, the survival rate of children diagnosed with cancer in 2010 through 2018 is markedly higher. For diagnoses during the latter period, the survival rate was 84 percent, up from 74 percent in the 1990s.
‘It is good to see that survival in childhood cancer has continued to increase,’ Prof. Dr. René Medema, Chief Scientific Officer, says of the new IKNL figures. ‘In several forms of leukemia, such as AML and ALL, we see the largest increase thanks to a sum of many different improvements. But across the board, there are still too many children with an extremely poor prognosis: the most difficult-to-treat tumors remain. That is why it is so important to continue to join forces of healthcare professionals and researchers within the Netherlands, within Europe and worldwide. Only together can we achieve the breakthroughs needed to cure all children with cancer, with optimal quality of life.’
Following the new figures, pediatric oncologist dr. Wouter Kollen and pediatric neurosurgeon prof. dr. Eelco Hoving gave an interview to the AD newspaper. Among other things, they talked about the strides being made with immunotherapy for treatment of leukemia, how new technology lets doctors operate better, and approaches to permanently improve the quality of life of children and survivors.
IKNL’s full press release can be found here. The AD interview is here.
Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.
UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).