HUMANITAS WINS 2025 CRACKING CANCER AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE AML CARE MODEL
Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, in collaboration with Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Sant’Anna in Ferrara, has been honoured with the 2025 Cracking Cancer Award for their groundbreaking initiative, Project Lia – Value-Based Healthcare for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). This award recognises the development of an innovative care model that enhances patient outcomes while optimising healthcare resources.
AML is a rare and aggressive blood cancer affecting approximately 2,100 individuals annually in Italy, predominantly adults. The disease originates in the bone marrow, leading to the rapid proliferation of immature blood cells, which impedes the production of normal blood cells. Symptoms often present early and include fever, general fatigue, and increased susceptibility to bruising and bleeding. Given the swift progression of the disease, timely intervention is crucial to improve prognosis and prevent severe complications.
Project Lia, conducted between June and December 2024, involved 18 clinicians and over 100 patients and caregivers. The project employed a Value-Based Healthcare model, focusing on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services provided. Through semi-structured interviews, needs analyses, and co-design workshops, the team identified key areas for improvement in existing care pathways.
Key Achievements of Project Lia:
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50% reduction in day hospital costs and clinical complications.
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20% decrease in hospital bed occupancy.
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Estimated potential savings of €17.2 million annually for the National Health Service.
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Enhanced quality of life for patients and caregivers through more personalised and efficient care.
The success of Project Lia underscores the importance of integrating patient-centred approaches with cost-effective healthcare strategies. The next phase involves expanding this model nationally, adapting it to regional contexts to ensure consistent standards of care and continuity.
For Humanitas, the award was accepted by Professor Matteo Giovanni Della Porta, Head of Medical Oncology and Haematology at the IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano.
Why this matters for medical tourists:
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Innovative care model: Access to a cutting-edge, patient-centred approach in AML treatment.
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Cost-effective treatment: Potential for reduced treatment expenses without compromising quality.
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Expertise and excellence: Treatment at a leading institution recognised for its advancements in haematology.
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Personalised care pathways: Tailored treatment plans developed through patient and caregiver involvement.
Humanitas continues to lead in integrating innovative care models that prioritise patient outcomes and system efficiency. International patients seeking advanced treatment for AML can benefit from the expertise and personalised care offered through initiatives like Project Lia.
References: Humanitas News
Humanitas is a highly specialized teaching and research hospital.
It combines specialized centers for the treatment of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and orthopedic disorders, as well as an Ophthalmology Centre and a Fertility Center. 118 Operation Theatres, 110,000 Annual surgeries, 3,400 Physicians, 190,000 Annual Inpatient Admissions, 14,000,000 Annual Outpatient Visits.
Humanitas also operates a highly specialized Emergency Department.
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The International Department of Humanitas Research Hospital has helped over 20.000 people from over 150 nations to receive exceptional medical care, offered by world-level doctors that use state-of-the-art technology and follow the latest care protocols. The goal of the Department is to ensure that international patients have comfortable and stress-free stay at our Hospital. To this end, we offer continued organizational, language, and psychological support and provide interpreters, night nurses, remote 24h translation services, medical reports in patients’ native languages, and other services, which facilitate our patients’ treatment and recovery.
Note, that Humanitas Research Hospital holds contractual provider agreements with numerous international insurance companies. Therefore, if you have a medical plan with one of these insurers, you can receive medical care at Humanitas without bearing the cost, by letting your insurer cover the expenses.
Humanitas International Department is the reference point for non-Italian patients throughout the entire course of treatment, acting as your care tutor.
