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Patients – and research partners

(Photo: Rolf Adlercreutz)

Professor Tak, who heads a department with around 70 employées at the Academic Medical Centre is himself a typical example of the translational work that is the signum of the AutoCure project.
— I am very happy to be both a clinician and a researcher, he says. Translational research has a long tradition here in Holland and I am convinced that this is the fastest and most efficient way to obtain research results that will lead to benefits for the patients.
Every year the Rheumatology unit at AMC receives about 1 300 new patients from all over the country.

AMC has a leading role in Europe in the field of arthroscopy. More than 800 biopsies are done here every year and for the moment the department runs 15 clinical trials in different phases.

— We screen all patients at an early stage and do thorough follow ups to learn as much as possible about the effects of treatments. At AMC we have the advantages of a very stable population, a good infrastructure, a solid financial base and a strong support from the Dutch Arthritis Association. All necessary factors for successful research, he stresses.
Early and personalised treatment are important goals, and patient collaboration has always been a natural part of the work at the department, where no one, clinician or researcher, is allowed to forget that they are working for the benefit of the patients.

— A good way to get new ideas is to have regular meetings, not only with the staff but also with the patients. Every second month we organise gatherings where we explain to those who participate in our clinical trials what we are doing. To live up to our motto ”Best care today- better care tomorrow” we must listen carefully to the patients. These meetings are mutually educational.

Clinical work, research and commercialisation go hand in hand at AMC. The successful research has lead to several spin off companies, for example Arthrogen B.V, one of the SMEs (small/medium entreprises) in AutoCure.
— We have a very close cooperation with Arthrogen. Their research is in part based on our tissue samples and they have the expertise and resources to bring new therapies into the clinic, continues Paul Peter Tak.