Cancer research is one of the major research areas at our institution, with teams leading international studies, developing new therapeutic strategies, and helping to define the clinical standards that guide patient care worldwide. This research activity is key to advancing towards increasingly precise, personalized, and effective medicine.
A new dual-target CAR-T therapy improves follicular lymphoma control in preclinical models
A study led by the Microenvironment in lymphoma pathogenesis and therapy and Cellular immunotherapies for cancer research groups has identified CD70 as a marker present at diagnosis that can help identify patients with follicular lymphoma who are at greater risk of relapse. Based on this discovery, the team has developed a new dual CAR-T therapy targeting CD19 and CD70 that improves disease control in preclinical models. The results, published in Blood, represent a step towards more effective and personalized immunotherapies for these patients. This study is included at AECC-funded excellence programme.
An international study evaluates the impact of external beam radiotherapy in liver cancer
The Liver Oncology (BCLC) research group, in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, has led the largest study to date on the use of external beam radiotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. The results show that this treatment offers outcomes comparable to other established options, such as surgery, in patients with early-stage disease.
An international consensus article establishes clinical trial design in liver cancer
Researchers from the Translational Research in Liver Oncology group have led an international consensus paper published in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. The paper establishes 102 recommendations to harmonize clinical trial design and the definition of endpoints in phase II and III studies of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study is included at AECC-funded excellence programme.
Antitumor activity of RAS inhibitors described for the first time in preclinical models of cholangiocarcinoma
The Translational oncology in upper gastrointestinal cancers research group has participated in an international study that demonstrates, for the first time, the antitumour activity of a new generation of RAS inhibitors in preclinical models of cholangiocarcinoma. This bile duct cancer often has a poor prognosis and few effective treatment options. The results open the door to the development of new strategies targeting molecular alterations that have previously been difficult to treat.
Nanoparticles with DNA enhance the effect of immunotherapy against cancer
Researchers from the Cellular immunotherapies for cancer research group have demonstrated in several animal models that DNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles have potent antitumour activity. The study also shows that this approach can significantly enhance the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors, one of the main tools used in current immunotherapy. The finding could help improve treatment responses across different types of cancer. This study is included at AECC-funded excellence programme.
New advances in colorectal cancer prevention thanks to the COLONPREV project
Two studies conducted within the COLONPREV project have provided relevant information on the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening strategies. These multicentre studies, coordinated by the Gastrointestinal and pancreatic oncology research group and Hospital Universitario de Canarias, have been analysing the best tools for early detection of the disease for several years. The new results contribute to optimizing prevention programmes and improving risk stratification in the population.
Viro-immunotherapy combination shows promising results in breast cancer patients with poor initial chemotherapy response
A study coordinated by the Translational genomics and targeted therapies in solid tumours research group and the University of Barcelona, and promoted by the SOLTI group, has evaluated a new viroimmunotherapy strategy in patients with breast cancer. The results indicate that this approach could particularly benefit patients with residual disease following chemotherapy administered before surgery. The research points to a new way of increasing treatment effectiveness in a group of patients with unmet medical needs. This study is included at AECC-funded excellence programme.
CAR-T ARI-0001 shows high response rates in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A study coordinated by the Lymphoid neoplasms and Myeloid neoplasms research groups has published the results of the phase II ARI-0001 CAR-T study in The Lancet Haematology. This advanced therapy has shown high response rates in adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The BCLC 2025 guidelines introduce a new model for personalizing liver cancer treatment
The Hepatic oncology (BCLC) group has published an update to the internationally recognized guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. The new version incorporates the latest scientific advances and introduces the CUSE concept (Complexity, Uncertainty, Subjectivity and Emotions), a tool designed to support clinical teams in decision-making. This approach promotes more personalized medicine tailored to each patient's individual circumstances.
Liquid biopsy enables personalized treatment after surgery for bladder cancer
An international clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that liquid biopsy can identify which patients with bladder cancer are at greater risk of relapse after surgery. This information makes it possible to more accurately select patients who may benefit from additional immunotherapy while avoiding unnecessary treatment in other cases. The Translational genomics and targeted therapies in solid tumours research group participated in the study.
