Sant Julià de Lòria Launches Second Agenda Social AMIC with Microbiome and Cancer Immunotherapy Training

Sant Julià de Lòria has launched the second edition of the Agenda Social AMIC alongside the University of Andorra's Microbiome and Cancer Immunotherapy Days, running through May 16. The parallel events combine professional training on microbiota's immune role and advanced cancer therapies with public awareness activities to support Assandca, the Andorran cancer association.

The flagship training program, held primarily at the Sant Julià commune hall's Sala Sergi Mas, university informatics rooms, and Cellab labs, targets doctors, nurses, biomedicine specialists, biologists, and biotechnologists. Experts from Barcelona's Hospital Clínic—Manel Juan, immunology head; Climent Casals, microbiology head; and Antoni Martínez, anatomic pathology head—lead sessions on microbiota composition, its health effects, immune modulation, fecal transplants, personalized treatments, humoral and cellular immunotherapies, CAR-T cells, flow cytometry, bioinformatics, translational research, ethics, regulations, and research proposals.

The social agenda kicked off Sunday with a fundraising sports day in Plaça de la Germandat, drawing over 120 participants. Zumba sessions led by Tamara Martos, Sandrix, and EL RATO saw 70 sign-ups, doubling the initial 50 spots for barre classes. Proceeds go to Assandca.

Culture councillor Teresa Areny hailed the response as proof of community solidarity, reinforcing Sant Julià's ambitions to become a research and technology hub, including at the former CATSA site acquired with government support. She noted ongoing work but provided no project updates.

Assandca president Josep Saravia stressed research as the primary weapon against cancer, the leading cause of death with rising cases. He renewed demands for a local radiotherapy unit, cancer registry, and greater healthcare independence to avoid "unbearable" costs of sending patients abroad. While welcoming recent hospital advances like breast and oncology units plus robotics, he said they fall short of long-term needs. Saravia tied research to infrastructure, calling a CATSA centre essential to apply findings locally rather than relying on foreign treatment.

Upcoming AMIC events feature the 'Nous enAMICS enfront del càncer' exhibition in Sala Sergi Mas, a scientific roundtable 'En el càncer, tu ets part de la solució' with top health professionals, a cheque presentation to Assandca, Centre Cultural Lauredià lighting, and Thursday's human ribbon in Plaça de la Germandat. Nearing 200 registrants, it requires only white tops.

Organizers include the University of Andorra, Clínic Barcelona-University of Barcelona, Cellab, Farmalider, Thytech, Biompred, Idea TX, Fundació Creand, Col·legi Oficial de Metges d’Andorra, Sant Julià commune, Andorran government, Servei Andorrà d’Atenció Sanitària, and Andorra Business.