University of Andorra Hosts Second Microbiome and Cancer Immunotherapy Days

The University of Andorra is hosting the second edition of the Microbiome and Cancer Immunotherapy Days from May 13 to 16, a specialised training programme for healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, biomedicine specialists, biologists, and biotechnologists.

The event provides an overview of the microbiota's composition and function in various body sites, its health effects, and its role as an immune modulator. Sessions cover clinical applications of cancer immunotherapy, including humoral and cellular approaches, CAR-T cell therapy, and faecal microbiota transplantation. Topics also include personalised medicine, translational research combining microbiota and immunotherapy, and ethical plus regulatory issues. The second day focuses on immunotherapy principles, featuring practical workshops with flow cytometry for immune cell analysis and bioinformatics tools for sequencing-based microbiota studies. Participants end by collaborating in teams to propose innovative research ideas.

Leading the programme are experts from Barcelona's Hospital Clínic: Manel Juan, head of immunology; Climent Casals, head of microbiology; and Antoni Martínez, head of pathology. Theoretical sessions take place in Sala Sergi Mas at Sant Julià de Lòria's community centre, bioinformatics in university computer rooms, and labs at University of Andorra facilities and Cellab in Sant Julià de Lòria.

Organisers are the University of Andorra, Clínic Barcelona - University of Barcelona, and Cellab labs, with support from Farmalider, Thytech, Biompred, Idea TX, Fundació Creand, Col·legi Oficial de Metges d’Andorra, Sant Julià de Lòria council, Andorra government, Servei Andorrà d’Atenció Sanitària, and Andorra Business.

Parallel to the training, the AMIC social agenda began on May 10 with a solidarity sports day at Plaça de la Germandat. More than 120 people participated, including a fully booked barre class led by EL RATO with 50 spots and a zumba session with instructors Tamara Martos and Sandrix that drew around 70 participants. Funds raised support Assandca, Andorra's cancer association.

Assandca president Josep Saravia highlighted cancer's status as a leading cause of death with rising cases annually. He warned that patient transfers abroad will soon become financially unsustainable without local radiotherapy, better registries, and self-sufficiency. Saravia praised recent hospital advances like oncology relocation, breast unit improvements, and robotics for cancer surgeries, but stressed the need for major steps. He called research the best tool against cancer, endorsing development at the former CATSA site to complement treatments, deeming it incoherent otherwise.

Sant Julià de Lòria culture councillor Teresa Areny echoed support for a technology and research hub at CATSA, as initially planned with the government, though she provided no updates on progress amid ongoing efforts. Areny noted the strong community response to the sports day, saying residents showed clear solidarity and eagerness to contribute.

The AMIC agenda continues with the public exhibition 'Nous enAMICS enfront del càncer' in Sala Sergi Mas, a roundtable titled “In cancer, you are part of the solution” featuring leading healthcare professionals, a gastronomic workshop, and a human chain on Thursday at Plaça de la Germandat. Nearly 200 have signed up for the chain, which requires white tops; a cheque presentation to Assandca and symbolic lighting of Centre Cultural Lauredià's facade follow the roundtable.