GIUV2016-291

For almost a decade now, there has been a significant increase in studies related to digestive tract cancer and its treatment, as shown by the different clinical guidelines disseminated at European and global level. For this reason, the development of new drugs and their testing in clinical trials is one of our main lines of research. We also focus on the study and identification of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers of response through the use of liquid biopsy with special interest in the analysis of circulating free tumour DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumour cells (CTC) for the characterisation of minimal residual disease. We also studied the prognostic and predictive value of using an artificial intelligence-based radiomic model in this group of patients. Finally, the use of organoid models generated from the patient's own tumour cells (or normal tissue) for molecular characterisation of the disease and drug testing is another of our priorities.

http://indest.uv.es/

• Our group aims to develop new therapeutic interventions to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of patients suffering from digestive system-related cancer, mainly based on (1) the identification of molecular and imaging biomarkers and (2) a better understanding of the carcinogenesis of these tumors.
• At the clinical research level, we conduct clinical trials in order to: i) validate new drugs or repurpose others, ii) demonstrate the predictive value of biomarkers, and iii) determine the recommended dose for treatment.
• At the level of translational research, we study not only carcinogenesis but also the mechanisms of resistance to treatments and the identification of new biomarkers using cutting-edge techniques such as liquid biopsy (ctDNA, microRNAs or CTCs), high-throughput platforms such as next-generation massive sequencing, radionics, or the development of preclinical models such as organoids for early diagnosis, monitoring and characterization of the disease and prediction of prognosis and therapeutic responses in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms.

• Colorectal cancer and new therapeutic developments in solid tumours.Molecular characterisation of colorectal cancer by liquid biopsy based on the analysis of ctDNA and CTCs. Application of radiomics in prognostic assessment. Study of the mechanisms of resistance to standard and targeted therapy and identification of new therapeutic targets. Development of clinical trials with drugs directed against potentially targetable alterations.
• Multiparametric approach for rectal cancer patients: a new step towards personalized medicine.Neoadjuvant therapy with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LAR). However, despite new advances in local therapy, up to a third of patients will die within five years of diagnosis. Our aim is to identify and characterise new prognostic biomarkers of response to classic treatments in patients diagnosed with LAR to adapt therapy for this population. In addition, we will use a rectal mucosa organoid model as a potential platform for personalised cancer therapy in LAR. Phase I trials.
• Decoding GC microenvironment: a new step towards precision immunotherapy.The gastric cancer (GC) microenvironment is a relevant factor that determines chemoresistance and sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitors. The combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy primarily improves the clinical outcome in those with MSI-H, EBV + and a combined PDL1 score greater than 5%. However, there is an urgent need for new biomarkers beyond PD-L1. Our hypothesis is that cellular and functional evaluation of the infiltrate will improve patient selection for immunotherapy. To this end, the composition and function of the tumor microenvironment in patients with advanced CG before and after receiving first-line treatment based on the combination of (CT + BIC) is studied to identify a better biomarker of response to immunotherapy. In addition, IHC and transcriptomics analyses will be performed. Finally, organoids derived from patients and animal models will be used as a validation platform and to better understand tumor cells and their communication with the microenvironment.

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• Medicine

• COLORECTAL CANCER
• LIQUID BIOPSIES
• MUTATION DETECTION SOLID TUMOURS
• PHASE I TRIALS
• ONCOLOGY
• CANDIDATE GENE SEQUENCING
• ORGANOIDS
• BIOMARKERS
• RECTAL CANCER
• PRECISION MEDICINE
• RADIOMICS
• STOMACH CANCER
• GASTRIC CANCER
• IMMUNOTHERAPY