by Comite Web | Nov 16, 2022
The pancreatic cancer research group at IDIBAPS-Clinic Barcelona is a multidisciplinary group that brings together researchers with very complementary profiles and experiences ranging from clinical research, in its multiple specialties, to basic research.
The main lines of research of the group are focused on:
To deepen the pathophysiological knowledge of pancreatic cancer and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. We are interested in advancing our understanding of the involvement of the pancreatic stroma in carcinogenesis and especially in the cross-talk between neoplastic cell and tumor fibroblasts.
2. Discovery of new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and predictive of survival or response to treatment.
3. Development of organoid models from surgical specimens and endoscopically guided biopsy. Establishment of more complex 3D culture models including tumor organoids and stromal cells.
4. Development of experimental therapies and preclinical studies in ex vivo and animal models. Therapies based on oncolytic virotherapy or nano-immunomedicines.
5. Innovation in endoscopic and surgical techniques to advance diagnosis and treatment.
https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/idibaps/areas-y-programas/higado-sistema-digestivo-y-metabolismo/terapia-genica-y-cancer
https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/idibaps/areas-y-programas/higado-sistema-digestivo-y-metabolismo/oncologia-gastrointestinal-y-pancreatica
by Comite Web | Nov 16, 2022
The IRYCIS Pancreatic Cancer Biomarkers and Personalized Approach Research group at ALIPANC will be led by Dr. Julie Earl, PI of the Biomarkers and Personalized Approach to Cancer Group (BIOPAC), a consolidated group in Area 3 of IRYCIS.
The main lines of research of the group include cancer genetics and diagnostic and predictive tumor biomarkers in pancreatic cancer, as well as response to treatments, using liquid biopsy and primary tumor models, as well as the identification of possible new therapeutic targets for intervention, using in vitro experimental models (2D and 3D) and in vivo experimental models.
The following is a list of the group’s main study contexts:
- Genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer:
Coordination of a national registry of familial pancreatic cancer and biobank of samples and clinical data of PDAC cases, high-risk individuals and individuals with non-PDAC pancreatic lesions (IPMN, cysts, pNET, pancreatitis, etc.). Profiling of somatic and germline alterations by next-generation sequencing, as well as epigenetic alterations, including non-coding RNA. - The development of tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment in liquid biopsy:
Identification and validation of biomarkers for early detection and patient management strategies, particularly for progression and response to treatment, such as circulating free DNA, non-coding RNA, circulating tumor cells and circulating soluble factors. Radiomics and other imaging techniques combined with molecular markers also contribute to the precision and personalization of medicine in gastrointestinal tumors and our group includes the use and analysis of these approaches…. - The development of in vitro and in vivo tumor models and new treatment strategies for PDAC:
Development and characterization of organoid digestive tumor models from primary tumors and PDX. The effects of low level ultrasound (LIUS) as an adjunctive treatment strategy in PDAC. Drug repositioning in the treatment and adjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer.
Resources and data generated.
Spanish National Registry of Familial Pancreatic Cancer:
The registry currently includes 120 families with more than 250 people currently registered. There is a collection of clinical samples and data from all these individuals and clinical data.
Collection of sporadic pancreatic cancer:
Currently, the registry includes more than 120 diagnosed PDAC cases and individuals with non-PDAC pancreatic lesions (IPMN, cysts, pNET, pancreatitis, etc.), with corresponding diagnostic and follow-up samples and clinical data.
Biobanking and biomodelling in pancreatic cancer: Platform biobanks and biomodels – Units of the ISCIII Platforms to support R+D+i in Biomedicine and Health Sciences. ISCIII (PT23/00098). PDX and organoid models of gastrointestinal tumors.
by Comite Web | Nov 16, 2022
The IdiPAZ Translational Oncology group, headed by Dr. Jaime Feliu, aims to conduct applied research, so that basic research can be translated quickly to the clinic. The group’s studies are aimed at deepening knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer, identifying biomarkers that help to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of neoplastic patients, studying the mechanisms of resistance and working on the development of new therapeutic strategies, in order to develop precision medicine that contributes to increasing the survival of cancer patients and improving their quality of life.
The main lines of work propose a series of fundamental objectives, which can be summarized as early diagnosis, molecular classification for therapeutic purposes and the development of personalized therapies. Most of the projects set as their main objective the identification of factors predicting sensitivity or resistance to antitumor agents and the search for prognostic factors related to tumor progression.
In the field of pancreatic cancer, there are several lines of work among which we can highlight:
- The dynamic study of chromatin structure throughout disease.
- Optimization of adjuvant treatment based on the molecular subtype of the tumor as determined by immunohistochemical biomarkers.
- The evolutionary study of tumor-stromal cell interactions in pancreatic adenocarcinoma during tumor development.
- The study of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and their relationship to molecular subtype, symptoms and prognosis.
- The evaluation of noninvasive markers of thermogenesis as predictors of the development of cachexia in oncology patients.
by Comite Web | Nov 16, 2022
The POL is a multidisciplinary research group working on the identification and application of personalized molecular strategies to improve the response to cancer treatments and the quality of life of cancer patients.
The group’s scope of action ranges from the study and identification of molecular and metabolic alterations in cancer patients, and the in vitro analysis of mechanisms of action, to the application of personalized strategies, including clinical trials, both in healthy volunteers and in cancer patients.
Main capacities/infrastructure
-Medical Oncology Unit. It serves a local population of 312,000 inhabitants. It has oncologists, nutritional therapists, onco-psychology, a network of nurse managers specialized in cancer, onco-geriatrics, cardio-oncology consultations, palliative medicine specialists, a biologist, a research data manager, electronic medical records and multidisciplinary tumor boards for all areas.
-Precision Oncology Laboratory of the Hospital’s Oncology Service, specialized in the development of translational studies that evaluate molecular profiles to predict prognosis and response to cancer treatment.
-ENETs (European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society) certification as a Center of Excellence for gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) and pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors.
-Stable collaboration agreements and implementation of programs on:
*Physical activity for cancer patients and survivors. Agreement with the regional mayor’s office and public and private sports associations.
*Personalized nutrition. Collaboration with IMDEA-Alimentación (Instituto Madrileño de Investigación Avanzada en Alimentación), within the framework of a program of activities financed with public funds.
*Tele-Medicine. Collaboration with the School of Telecommunications and Biomedicine of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Academic cooperation for the development of projects, with visiting engineers and students.
Lines of research
– Analysis of prognostic and predictive factors involved in cancer development.
– Personalized nutrition: In this line of research, the group works on the identification and application of personalized molecular nutrition strategies to improve response to cancer treatment. The goal of this line is to effectively use knowledge of cellular, molecular, physiological, biological, chemical and/or genetic processes to identify metabolic biomarkers of relapse, and to apply effective molecular nutrition approaches to improve cancer treatments and the quality of life of cancer patients. Several clinical trials are underway.
– Telemedicine: An m-Health platform has been developed, including an application for the patient and a module for professionals, with special capabilities for e-PROMs, alerts, reminders, recommendations, linked wearables, patient response and education, nutrigenetics, microbiota and physical activity. Our main medium-term objective is to design and implement a digital health model in the clinical routine, for which we have clinical trials underway.
– Backend technological infrastructure: We are developing a service-based infrastructure to support the operation of the system.
– Autofluorescent cancer stem cells. Collaboration with CSIC-UAM for tumor characterization, prognosis and identification of new targets.
– Physical activity for cancer patients and survivors. An agreement with regional institutions and local sports and physical training institutions, with specialists in sports medicine and specialized psychologists, allows groups of patients to enter a three-month supervised physical activity program with the aim of improving and introducing new lifestyle habits and investigating the biological effects of physical activity on different clinical outcomes, such as metabolic syndrome, physical and psychological well-being, etc.
by Comite Web | Nov 16, 2022
The Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases designs and carries out clinical and translational research projects in the area of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Our interests are focused on diseases of the pancreas, mainly chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and gastric cancer. Part of the group is focused on liver diseases, mainly liver cancer. The main areas of research are:
- Pancreas:
- Impact of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in subjects with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: survival and clinical consequences.
- Identification of specific molecular biomarkers of chronic pancreatitis.
- Identification of biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer in asymptomatic high-risk individuals.
- New therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer: role of the obestatin/GPR39 system.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
- Role of microbiota and intestinal bacterial profiles in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Molecular basis of IBD-associated arthritis.
- Characterization of the inflammatory response and its etiopathogenic role in IBD.
- Personalized medicine based on activation of four inflammatory pathways to predict response to treatment of ulcerative colitis.
- Gastric Cancer:
- Biofluid metabolomic studies of patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia.
- Identification of endogenous systems involved in the mitogenesis of gastric cancer cells.
- Hepatology:
- Viral hepatitis
- Factors associated with the progression of fatty liver disease.
- Impact of hepatocellular carcinoma and its local percutaneous treatment on the survival of patients on waiting lists for liver transplantation.
