These appointments are part of the center’s strategy to reinforce multidisciplinary working models and the connection between clinical activity, research, and teaching in cancer care.
Dr. Teresa Macarulla is a medical oncologist and translational researcher with extensive experience in the study and treatment of upper gastrointestinal tumors. She currently leads the Upper Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Tumor Group at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) and works as a medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. She earned her medical degree with cum laude honors from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and trained as a specialist at Hospital de Sant Pau.
Throughout her career, Dr. Macarulla has participated in clinical and translational research projects focusing on pancreatic, biliary (including cholangiocarcinoma), gastric, and neuroendocrine tumors. She has led several international clinical trials with practical impact, contributing to changes in treatment standards for tumors with poor prognosis. Her research includes biomarker studies, liquid biopsy, and preclinical models to understand resistance mechanisms. She actively participates in international cooperative groups and scientific committees, and her leadership strengthens 4CB’s position as a reference in drug development and precision oncology.
Dr. Carlos Fernández de Larrea is a hematologist and translational researcher specializing in hematologic neoplasms and cellular therapies. He trained at the Clínic and obtained his doctorate with Extraordinary Award from the University of Barcelona. He has completed postdoctoral fellowships at leading centers such as the Amyloidosis Centre of Pavia, the US National Cancer Institute (Bethesda), and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, focusing on CAR‑T therapies for multiple myeloma.
He currently serves as a consultant for the Department of Hematology at the Clínic (Amyloidosis and Myeloma Unit), leads the Myeloma, Amyloidosis, Macroglobulinemia, and Other Gammapathies group at IDIBAPS, and is an associate professor at the University of Barcelona. Dr. Fernández de Larrea has led the development and implementation of the academic CAR‑T therapy ARI0002h, targeting BCMA, showing high response rates in patients with multiple myeloma. This achievement positions 4CB as a European leader in academically originated cellular and gene therapies.
“We enter a new stage at Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center. The incorporation of Dr. Macarulla and Dr. Fernández de Larrea brings energy, talent, and leadership to two key areas of the center. They will be essential in accelerating our clinical and scientific transformation and fulfilling our mission to provide personalized, high-level oncological care,” said Dr. Aleix Prat, director of 4CB and of the Institute of Cancer and Blood Diseases.
“These appointments represent a firm step towards the multidisciplinary and translational model that is central to 4CB. We are confident their arrival will expand access to innovative treatments and clinical trials, further improving the experience and outcomes for people with cancer,” added Dr. Meritxell Mollà, clinical director of 4CB and head of the Radiation Oncology Department at the hospital.
