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Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells

The work of the Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cell group focuses mainly on senescence (replicative or stress-induced oncoge). In our laboratory, we carry out several genetic screens based on the detection of new genes / small interfering RNA (siRNA) / microRNAs related to cell proliferation, which have a role in cancer. Therefore, we use different cell models: murine cells, human primary cells or immortalized cells capable of entering senescence.

The objectives of the group are:

  • Identification and characterization of genes / microRNAs in mammary tumors associated with a more aggressive character (triple negative).
  • Identification and characterization of markers in lung, laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer with diagnostic and prognostic value that help to target a more specific chemotherapy treatment.
  • Identification and characterization of populations of cancer stem cells (CSC) in tumors resistant to conventional therapies.
  • Early detection of breast cancer before it manifests itself clinically.
  • Study of new genes involved in cancer from their identification in massive genetic scans at the basic level.

Team

Félix Pumarola Segura

Félix Pumarola Segura

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Javier Vila Martín

Javier Vila Martín

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Jessica  Aguilera  Garcia

Jessica Aguilera Garcia

Predoctoral researcher
Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Joan Piñas Massó

Joan Piñas Massó

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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José Salazar Clavijo

José Salazar Clavijo

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera

Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Félix Pumarola Segura

Félix Pumarola Segura

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Javier Vila Martín

Javier Vila Martín

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Jessica  Aguilera  Garcia

Jessica Aguilera Garcia

Predoctoral researcher
Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Joan Piñas Massó

Joan Piñas Massó

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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José Salazar Clavijo

José Salazar Clavijo

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera

Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera

Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells
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Research lines

Identificación y caracterización de poblaciones de CSCs ("cancer stem cells") en tumores

A partir de diversos tipos de cánceres que incluyen desde mama, pulmón, cabeza y cuello, en particular los más letales (faringe y laringe), aislamos poblaciones de CSCs para determinar su caracterización completa e implicación en la clínica.

IP: Matilde Lleonart Pajarin

Research group in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (osas).

Research group in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), using as animal model the brachiocephalic breed, Boxer (English and French) is constituted by Drs. Juan Lorente Guerrero (UAB Lecturer, Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron), Santiago Lavin González (Professor), Rafaela Cuenca Valera (Lecturer), Josep Pastor Milán (Lecturer), Roser Velarde Nieto (Specialized Technician in Research Support) and Marta Planellas Bachs (Associate
Professor at the Hospital Clínico Veterinario de la UAB.).


The main objective of this investigation is to define similarities and differences between human patients and animals regarding this particular disease  in order to, if that were the case, use brachiocephalic breed as animal models in the options of treatment for the human disease.


The specific objectives of this research line are the following ones:


1. Defining histopathological and immunohistochemical changes regarding myosin fiber distribution of type I and II,  that produce soft palate in brachiocephalic dogs affected by upper airway obstruction syndrome,  regarding dogs without this pathology which have been euthanize for different reasons.


2. Establishing existing similarities and differences between soft palates in brachiocephalic dogs affected by upper airway obstruction syndrome and uvula of human patients with OSAS.


3. Determining correlation between degree of injuries observed at histopathological and immunohistochemical level and the clinics presented in each patient, firstly in each specie alone and afterwards comparing them.


4. Determining levels of canine acute-phase proteins (C-reactive protein, haptoglobin), as inflation indicators, and levels of cardiac troponin I, as myocardial damage indicator, in animals affected by upper airway obstruction syndrome to compare them afterwards with those that present dogs that are not affected by this pathology.


5. Evaluating surgical treatment efficacy as therapeutic alternative, in dogs affected by upper airway obstruction syndromes, through a clinical monitoring, supported by complementary diagnostic tests.

IP: Juan Lorente Guerrero

Projects

New therapeutic approaches in head and neck cancer

IP: Matilde Lleonart Pajarin
Collaborators: Yoelsis Garcia Mayea, Jordi Temprana Salvador, Angel García Jiménez, Josep Castellví Vives, Laia Josa Culleré, Marina Bataller Fernández
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 183920
Reference: PI20/00556
Duration: 01/01/2021 - 30/06/2025

Novel terapéutic approaches against COVID-19

IP: Matilde Lleonart Pajarin
Collaborators: Marina Bataller Fernández, Almudena Sanchez Garcia, Yoelsis Garcia Mayea
Funding agency: Fundació La Marató de TV3
Funding: 161875
Reference: 202116
Duration: 23/09/2021 - 22/09/2024

Publications

Cold-inducible RNA binding protein promotes breast cancer cell malignancy by regulating Cystatin C levels.

PMID: 33172965
Journal: RNA
Year: 2021
Reference: RNA. 2021 Feb;27(2):190-201. doi: 10.1261/rna.076422.120. Epub 2020 Nov 10.
Impact factor: 4.942
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Indacochea, Alberto, Guerrero, Santiago, Ure Ntildea, Macarena, Araujo, Ferran, Coll, Olga, Gebauer, Fatima, LLeonart, Matilde E et al.
DOI: 10.1261/rna.076422.120

UNR/CDSE1 expression as prognosis biomarker in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients: A proof-of-concept.

PMID: 28763470
Journal: PLoS One
Year: 2017
Reference: PLoS One. 2017 Aug 1;12(8):e0182044. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182044. eCollection 2017.
Impact factor: 2.806
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Li, Weiyao, Cebrian, Arancha, Gomez Del Pulgar, Teresa, Puime-Otin, Alberto, Del Puerto-Nevado, Laura, Rodriguez-Remirez, Maria, Perez, Nuria, Celdran, Angel, Gebauer, Fatima, Garcia-Foncillas, Jesus et al.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182044

Mitochondrial dysfunction and potential anticancer therapy.

PMID: 28682452
Journal: MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
Year: 2017
Reference: Med Res Rev. 2017 Nov;37(6):1275-1298. doi: 10.1002/med.21459. Epub 2017 Jul 6.
Impact factor: 8.763
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Lleonart, Matilde E, Grodzicki, Robert, Graifer, Dmitri M, Lyakhovich, Alex et al.
DOI: 10.1002/med.21459

Etiology of Acute Otitis Media in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age: A Pooled Analysis of 10 Similarly Designed Observational Studies.

PMID: 27918383
Journal: PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
Year: 2017
Reference: Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017 Mar;36(3):274-281. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001420.
Impact factor: 2.486
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Van Dyke, Melissa K, Pircon, Jean-Yves, Cohen, Robert, Madhi, Shabir A, Macias Parra, Mercedes, Al-Mazrou, Khalid, Grevers, Gerhard, Lopez, Pio, Naranjo, Laura, Pumarola, Felix et al.
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001420

Blog

News

On World Cancer Research Day, we highlight the oncology research model of the Vall d'Hebron Campus that allows laboratory results to be transferred as quickly as possible to clinical practice.

Vall d’Hebron ha celebrat avui la Jornada del Dia Mundial contra el Càncer, una malaltia cada cop més freqüent que patiran al llarg de la vida un de cada dos homes i una de cada tres dones del nostre entorn.

The work has compared sensitive and resistant cells to cisplatin treatment to understand the mechanisms involved in resistance and to find new biomarkers and therapies.

Job offers

Clinical researcher
Start date:
10/11/2015
End date:
17/11/2015
Document: Download
Hospital Pharmacy Specialist
Start date:
19/10/2015
End date:
26/10/2015
Document: Download
Laboratory technician
Start date:
09/09/2015
End date:
16/09/2015
Document: Download