Our Friends support allow the CNIO to hire more scientists and open new research lines to understand cancer better, diagnose and treat it effectively… Here are some of them!
Carolina Maestre One of the beneficiaries is Carolina Mestre, who is looking closely at what could prove to be a new target for pharmacological-based cancer treatments. “We have identified a molecule involved in the survival of tumoral cells when they divide. Our working hypothesis is that if we can manage to inhibit the action of those molecules, it should keep the tumor from spreading.”
Elena Fueyo I study how tumour cells avoid the immune system attack. Understanding the biology of these mechanisms is essential for the development of effective immunotherapies against cancer.
María Moreno "I study the three-dimensional structure of CAD, a protein that is highly expressed in cancer." Understanding how genetic mutations affect its structure can help to develop novel therapies.
Moustafa Ahmed Shehata
Neibla Priego "I explore therapeutic and diagnostic options for brain metastasis." These metastases arise in 10-40 percent of all cancer cases originating from different organs. Neibla is the first author of a study that describes how a compound called silibinin can reduce them.
Rebeca Jimeno
Rubén Martínez "I investigate how RET oncogene activity is altered in certain cancer types, such as lung and breast cancer, as well as neuroblastoma." Rubén aims to find compounds capable of inhibiting this gene that could provide more effective treatments against these types of tumours.
Sarita Saraswati "I study the role of telomere dysfunction in the origin of kidney and liver fibrosis, which in its advances stages may lead to cancer in these organs." Her goal is to find new therapies for the treatment of these diseases.
Previous ‘CNIO Friends’ contracts
Irene Felipe (CNIO Friends/Play Therapy Foundation) has made a special study of the neuroblastoma, one of the tumors most frequently seen in children. “We hope that in the near future, breakthroughs on the molecular level will lead to new clinical applications” as will the translational aspects of our work, such as the identification of therapeutic strategies and development of biomarkers.
Miguel Jiménez Alcázar (CNIO Friends/Play Therapy Foundation) has undertaken a study focusing on gliomas, cerebral tumors common in children and adolescents. His goal is to see that “the results are transferred to the clinical sphere, where they can contribute to increasing patients’ survival rates and improving the quality of life.”
Sebastián Thompson Is examining the process by which nanoparticles can be used to transport medication to a specific location in the body, on account of their enhanced ability to reach the compromised cells. “We are searching for the best way to make certain that the greatest possible number of nanoparticles actually make it all the way to the tumor location,” he explains.