Fundación Pérez Scremini (Uruguay) and the Princess Máxima Center (The Netherlands) lead the LATAM MasterCourse 2026 to advance hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and pediatric CAR-T therapy across Latin America
Montevideo, Uruguay | March 3–7, 2026
The LATAM MasterCourse held its third edition in Montevideo, Uruguay, from March 3 to 7, 2026. This year’s program focused on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and CAR-T Cell Therapy, bringing together leading international experts and multidisciplinary teams from across Latin America and the Caribbean for an advanced training experience.
The LATAM MasterCourse was organized by Fundación Pérez Scremini (Uruguay) in close collaboration with the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (Netherlands) and with the support of Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR). The initiative reflected a shared commitment to strengthening regional capacity and fostering international cooperation in
pediatric oncology.
More than 60 healthcare professionals from 14 countries participated in this five-day intensive program, alongside 16 internationally recognized faculty members representing leading pediatric oncology institutions worldwide.
Participating faculty institutions included:
● Argentina — Hospital Universitario Austral; Fundación Natalí Dafne Flexer
● Brazil — Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão Preto
● Spain — Hospital Sant Joan de Déu
● United States — Lurie Children’s Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO); University of Miami
● Italy — Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori
● The Netherlands — Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital; Princess Máxima Center
The academic program engaged 48 specialists from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Through case-based discussions, workshops, and small-group sessions, participants addressed complex clinical scenarios and explored the adaptation of advanced therapies to diverse healthcare contexts across the region.
Building Sustainable Capacity in Advanced Pediatric Oncology
The MasterCourse focused on HSCT and CAR-T cell therapy, two of the most advanced and promising treatment strategies for children and adolescents with cancer. By prioritizing direct interaction between international faculty and regional teams, the program promoted knowledge exchange, clinical excellence, and sustainable implementation of high-complexity treatments.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supported participation from professionals in the Andean region within the framework of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), further reinforcing regional training and capacity-building efforts.
Strengthening International Collaboration
By hosting the third edition of the LATAM MasterCourse 2026 in Montevideo, Fundación Pérez Scremini and the Princess Máxima Center reaffirmed their joint commitment to advancing pediatric oncology care through education, partnership, and regional network development. The initiative contributed to positioning Latin America as an increasingly connected and collaborative region in the global pediatric oncology community.
About Fundación Pérez Scremini
Fundación Pérez Scremini is the only foundation in Uruguay exclusively dedicated to curing cancer in children and adolescents. The Foundation manages the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Service at the country’s public pediatric hospital, Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, providing comprehensive, free-of-charge and high-quality care. It treats approximately 70% of all pediatric cancer cases nationwide and performs 100% of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplants in the country. With an overall cure rate of 80%, the Foundation has become a national reference center for pediatric oncology, offering diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in a single, integrated facility.
MEDIA CONTACT: cfernandez@perezscremini.org