Learn More About Our Projects
Disrupting senescence-mediated survival pathways in primary lymphomas
While the R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen is effective in targeting proliferative lymphoma cells, a subset of tumor cells can enter a drug-persistent state, allowing them to survive initial treatment and later drive relapse. In this project, we aim to identify and target the vulnerabilities of these persistent cells at the primary tumor site. We hypothesize that senescent cells, induced by R-CHOP in the tumor microenvironment, contribute to the survival and awakening of drug-persistent cells through paracrine signals. Targeting these interactions may prevent reactivation of minimal residual disease. Our objectives are identifying senescence-associated surface biomarkers in NHL and developing membrane-targeted therapeutic strategies to prevent the awakening of persistent cells. We use molecular profiling and functional assays to explore the interactions between senescent and persistent tumor cells.
People involved: Joan Balibrea​, Cristina Guardia, David Olivares
Funding agencies: ASEICA +queuntrail​
Project Progression
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Therapy-induced senescence in NHL relapses
In the cancer context, senescence has been repeatedly considered as a tumor suppressor mechanism. However, accumulating evidence has indicated that senescent cells can also have a pro-tumorigenic role. Specifically, the inhibition of factors secreted by these cells resulted in reduced tumor growth, supporting the idea that senescent cells contribute to tumor progression in advanced stages of the disease. Importantly, several chemotherapies and radiotherapies, which are designed to specifically target proliferating cells, can induce senescence systemically. Our main objective is to generate in vitro and in vivo tools that allow us to know whether senescent cells could work as a therapeutic target against relapse in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
People involved: Cristina Guardia, Basseem Radwan, Joan Balibrea​, Mariia Sydorenko, David Olivares
Collaborators: Tomás Navarro, MD and Elisabetta Mereu, PhD
Funding agencies: Fundació Josep Carreras​
Project Progression
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Defining new biomarkers for breast cancer
A major challenge in breast cancer research is the disease's heterogeneity. Two patients with the same cancer type can have vastly different cellular compositions, making it impractical to select identical treatments for both. With this project, we aim to identify reliable human biomarkers for the three types of mammary epithelial cells, which allow us to subclassify tumors more precisely. Based on analysis of single cell RNA-sequencing combined with the use of human breast cancer samples, we will be able to refine the diagnosis of different breast cancer subtypes.
People involved: David Olivares​, Daniel Ortega, Elena Castillo, Eva Musulén
Collaborators: Joaquín Arribas
Funding agencies: Fundación FERO with the contribution of ghd​
Project Progression
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Tracing the cellular origin of breast tumors
Studies based on lineage tracing experiments have shown that the mammary gland epithelium is self-maintained by three independent cellular populations: luminal ER-negative, luminal ER-positive and basal cells. Interestingly, upon different stressful situations such as transplantation, oncogene activation or cellular ablation adult committed cells can de-differentiate acquiring multipotent capacity in vivo. ​This project aims to examine whether multipotent stem cells are present in breast tumors by monitoring the three different mammary cell compartments separately in different murine breast cancer models. We believe that elucidating the genetic signatures underlying cellular identity, lineage commitment, and cellular plasticity will enhance our understanding of breast cancer heterogeneity.
People involved: Elena Vinuesa, Daniel Ortega, David Olivares​, Lidia Soto
Funding agencies: RETOS I+D 2020; PIF-SALUT 2021-2024 (PERIS)
Project Progression
​Tumor heterogeneity comprehension for an improved diagnosis and treatment choice for TNBC
This project focuses on studying how to apply personalized medicine to breast cancer patients diagnosed with a triple negative subtype. Our main goal is identifying new biomarkers that allow us to further define which cells within a tumor respond better to current treatments, which are more prone to metastasize, etc. Moreover, the characterization of new therapeutic targets will permit the development of personalized strategies letting more breast cancer patients be considered 'suitable' for the administration of new targeted therapies. ​
People involved: Daniel Ortega, David Tébar, Cristina Guardia, Elena Castillo, David Olivares, Eva Musulen​
Collaborators: Mireia Margelí, MD; Pedro L. Fernández, MD; Elisabetta Mereu, PhD; Ginés Luengo, PhD; Eva M. Galan-Moya, PhD
Funding agencies: Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer AECC
Project Progress
Funding Agencies
