Oncology

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Overview

The Oncology Research Area has been composed by nine groups addressing main unsolved issues in cancer. The research during this period covered the fields of child and adolescent cancer, melanoma, gynecology, urology, cancer stem cells and the molecular mechanisms of the tumor pathologies. There were also three groups from the CIBBIM-Nanomedicine. These groups studied the use of nanotechnology in biomedical applications to improve therapeutic strategies and diagnostics. During the last years the Area has been very active at shared activities such as the virtual AACR yearly meeting, the internal and external ONCO-VHIR seminars and the organization of other periodic topic-based workshops and leisure and team-building activities. This year the Area also organized a World Cancer Day event to get closer to the society. During the mentioned period most groups of the Area have participated in the In-Campus multidisciplinary Task Force Groups for different tumors (gastric, prostate, melanoma, ginecology etc. with the specialized pathologist also involved) that have been fueled by VHIR-VHIO-Hospital. It is also noteworthy the shared scientific production in terms of publications between different groups of the Area and the stable collaborations between groups that have consolidated during these period.

Publications

141
total
748
impact factor
5.30
average impact factor

Group Leader: Juan Angel Recio Conde

During 2019, the group have finished an investigation studying the role of somatic LKB1 mutations in cancer. This information will be important to understand the contribution/s of somatic mutation in tumor suppressor proteins, not leading to the loss of the protein. Particularly, in tumor genetic profiles associated to personalized medicine. Additionally, we have also obtained very interesting results combining targeted therapy and metabolic stress to treat NRAS mutated melanomas, lacking of a primary line of treatment.

In addition to this, the group has been awarded with the Ramon Areces Grant to study the role of p38a in melanoma development and progression and it contribution to modulate tumor microenvironment and the anti-tumor immune response.

VHIR Annual Report 2019