Translational Molecular Pathology

Our group aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis to identify new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. By combining the knowledge and availability of human tumors in the Pathology department with the expertise of the basic molecular cell biology research group, we focus on:

Understanding: the molecular mechanisms underlying clonal cooperation and intercellular communication in heterogeneous tumors.
The role of MNK kinases in cellular stress resistance.
The role of ITGB3 in intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles in cancer metastasis (Santiago Ramon y Cajal).
The role of direct cell-cell communication via gap junctions and intercellular protrusions in cancer (Trond Aasen)
The malignant transition of Plexiform Neurofibromas (Cleofe Romagosa).

Research lines

Soft tissue Regeneration

Orthopaedic surgeons treat diseases of the "Soft Tissues" including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and peripheral nerves.
Certain degenerative diseases can affect tendons and cartilage, altering their healing capabilities. Traumatic injuries of ligaments, muscles or peripheral nerves may have difficulty healing. These processes lead to dysfunctions and pain. Our working group aims to study the healing process of soft tissues, and propose and evaluate methods to improve tissue reparative processes from the biological standpoint. The ultimate goal is to provide solutions to clinical practice from translational research.

Current studies:

1. In vivo study of the tensile strength of a suture to flexor tendons fluted point compared with conventional yarn Kessler.

This paper studies the flexor tendon healing in rabbits, with different surgical strategies and materials.

2. Clinical prospective randomized study comparing subacromial injection of platelet-rich plasma bupivacaine with betamethasone and rotator cuff tendinosis.

This clinical trial is studying the healing of the rotator cuff tendons with symptomatic degenerative phase that does not respond to treatment through rehabilitation and oral anti-inflammatory. Compare functional outcomes and quality of life with two different treatments. Inflammatory and other biological one.

IP: Daniel Alejandro Pacha Vicente

Soft tissue Regeneration

Current studies:

1. In vivo study of the tensile strength of a suture to flexor tendons fluted point compared with conventional yarn Kessler.

This paper studies the flexor tendon healing in rabbits, with different surgical strategies and materials.

2. Clinical prospective randomized study comparing subacromial injection of platelet-rich plasma bupivacaine with betamethasone and rotator cuff tendinosis.

IP: Daniel Alejandro Pacha Vicente

Soft tissue Regeneration

Current studies:

1. In vivo study of the tensile strength of a suture to flexor tendons fluted point compared with conventional yarn Kessler.

This paper studies the flexor tendon healing in rabbits, with different surgical strategies and materials.

2. Clinical prospective randomized study comparing subacromial injection of platelet-rich plasma bupivacaine with betamethasone and rotator cuff tendinosis.

IP: Daniel Alejandro Pacha Vicente

Study of CAP-dependent and CAP-independent signalling pathways in breast carcinomas.

In previous works we studied several factors involved in cell signalling pathways that control cell growth. The found that the phosphorylated form of 4E-BP1 was the only factor that correlated with prognosis, and histologic aggressive features in several types of cancers. 4E-BP1 is a key regulator of CAP-dependent traslation and its main function is the inactivation of eIF4E. However, not all the aggressive tumors show activation of this factor. On the other hand, it has been shown that under hypoxia conditions cells the translation of some key factors can be regulated by CAP-independent pathways, mediated by factors known as ITAFs. The aim of our study is to find the CAP-depdendent/CAP-independent balance in tumors in relation to hypoxia, and evaluate its impact on prognosis.

IP: Josep Castellví Vives