Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Centre becomes first in Sweden with renewed accreditation
The Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet has reached a significant milestone in being the first centre in Sweden to have its accreditation renewed. Karolinska CCC is the first accredited Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Sweden, with an accreditation that now lasts until 2030. This success marks an important step in the ever-closer partnership between Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, especially in the fields of diagnostics and research, and with other collaboration platforms.
The renewed accreditation means that the centre continues to meet the high international standards required for conducting pioneering cancer research and care and is recognition of the hard work and dedication that the team at Karolinska CCC have demonstrated in their efforts to improve cancer treatment and patient care.
One of the most important changes that Karolinska CCC has made this past year is the inclusion of childhood cancer. One consequence of this is that models focusing on smaller tumour groups with narrow, strict definitions can develop targeted therapeutic strategies for all patients, including adults. The accreditation of the centre’s childhood cancer activities also means a smoother transition for young patients as they enter adulthood.
“The re-accreditation is a great credit to our work and makes it possible for us to develop our research and treatments further,” says Eva Jolly, Chief Coordinating Officer at Karolinska CCC.
She continues:
“The inclusion of childhood cancer is a major step towards improving the care we provide to all our patients.”
World-leading cancer care and research
Karolinska CCC leads the world in cancer and care and research and gathers highly specialised expertise in the fields. The Karolinska CCC is run jointly by Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, the latter especially through Cancer Research KI (CRKI). The accreditation means that the centre carries a seal of excellence in accordance with criteria set by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), which promotes collaboration between European caregivers and research institutes in the field of cancer.
The CRKI is Karolinska Institutet’s umbrella organisation for cancer research and constitutes a governmental Strategic Research Area at Karolinska Institutet.
“Karolinska CCC gives us a very strong framework for combining clinical and academic activities in cancer, and the re-accreditation empowers us to further develop cancer research in conjunction with its clinical applications,” says Elias Arnér, chair of Cancer Research KI.
Vision and long-term strategy
Karolinska CCC is a regional hub in Stockholm for the development of cancer care, research and education. Its aim is to give patients access to the best international expertise by developing national and international networks, increasing knowledge and leading the development of the clinical application of person-centred care and precision-medicine diagnostics and therapies. Karolinska CCC also leads the development of evidence-based practice and guidelines and is developing more profiled research platforms in precision medicine and cell and gene therapy.
“The first five-year period has seen fantastic growth, and the coming period will continue to build on this success by gathering the hospital’s, KI’s and the region’s talent in new constellations,” says Patrik Rossi, head of Theme Cancer and chair of the Karolinska CCC steering committee.
He continues:
“Together with patient representatives, the new constellations will take place across organizational boundaries, to promote development and improve health outcomes in all stages and perspectives of cancer. A big thank you to everyone who is already on the journey, and a warm welcome to everyone who wants to do their bit, however big or small.”
The partnership between Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet is crucial to driving innovation and improving the care of cancer patients. By combining clinical expertise and academic research, Karolinska CCC will remain a leading force in cancer therapy and research, both nationally and internationally.
The renewed accreditation for Karolinska CCC is testimony to the hugely successful work being done at Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet. It is a significant milestone that will benefit patients and help to shape the future of cancer research and therapy in Sweden.