The Cancer Epigenomics group, led by Dr. Angel Díaz-Lagares, belongs to the Epigenomics Unit of the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) and to the Translational Medical Oncology Group (ONCOMET) of IDIS. In addition to his research activity, Dr. Angel Díaz-Lagares is a Clinical Biochemistry specialist in the Clinical Analysis Service of the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS). Our line of research is based on the identification of epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsy (circulating DNA, extracellular vesicles and circulating tumor cells) in order to develop non-invasive tools with clinical utility in precision oncology: early diagnosis, prognosis, minimal residual disease, and evaluation/monitoring of response to treatment. To carry out this line of research we have epigenomic methodologies for the study of the methylome based on EPIC microarrays (Illumina) and NGS (NextSeq 500), as well as highly sensitive techniques to study methylation in individual genes or GCs by pyrosequencing, MSP, qMSP, and digital PCR (ddPCR).

These capabilities allow us to address from the discovery of epigenetic alterations based on methylation with omics techniques to the validation of the identified alterations. This methodology allows the study of human or mouse samples from different sources: fresh and paraffin-embedded tissue, cells, liquid biopsy (leukocytes, plasma, saliva). In addition to studying biomarkers and therapeutic targets, this methodology allows us to study in depth the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the development and progression of tumor disease. Within our Hospital, we have access to samples from patients with pancreatic cancer (liquid biopsy). We are part of CIBERONC, belonging to the Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Program; the Digestive Tumors Program; and the Immuno-Oncology Work Module.