The SEHOP-PENCIL project has created the first national network for personalized medicine for children and adolescents with cancer in Spain. This initiative, coordinated by the Childhood Cancer and Hematological Diseases group at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), has already facilitated access to genomic studies for over 900 pediatric patients.
Personalized medicine is key to improving outcomes for pediatric cancer patients, as it allows for the study of each tumor's unique characteristics. The SEHOP-PENCIL project, launched in 2022, emerged to address existing inequalities in access to these technologies across different Spanish hospitals.
The initiative connects over 100 professionals from various disciplines in specialized hospitals and genomic centers nationwide, forming a network of 10 specialized genomic centers coordinated to cover 45 hospitals. This collaboration has enabled the harmonization of procedures and the sharing of specialized knowledge.
SEHOP-PENCIL has also promoted the coordination of hereditary cancer predisposition studies in children and the creation of multidisciplinary committees to analyze complex genomic results. The ultimate goal is the implementation of precision medicine within the National Health System.
Although initial funding has concluded, the consortium remains active thanks to the commitment of professionals and institutions. Efforts are underway to consolidate this collaborative structure and find new funding avenues to ensure continuity.
The project was funded with 2 million euros by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, under the Ministry of Science and Innovation, with European funds from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
