Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells

Drug discovery for use in cancer treatment is of vital importance for several reasons, in particular, to overcome the growing resistance of cancer cells to currently available treatments. We have identified new commercially available drugs able to inhibit cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) model. Firstly, we focused in new commercially available drugs targeting proteins involved in chemoresistance and found that one of them, was able to inhibit significantly tumor growth in immunocompromised mice. Secondly, we designed novel drug variants in order to increase its potency under the Markus formula. Interestingly, one of the variants showed increased potency as the proliferative index of HNSCC tumors (measured by Ki-67 marker) was lower than the original drug. Importantly, the new improved variant is able to show synergy with conventional chemotherapy, suggesting a potential novel therapy for resistant tumors.

eCORE

Cancer
Global Health

Team

Group Leader
Matilde Esther LLeonart Pajarín

Principal Investigator (PI)
Matilde E. LLeonart

Researchers
Yoelsis García-Mayea

PhD Students
Cristina Mir Pérez, ALmudena Sánchez García, Marina Bataller Fernández

Publications

50.0

%Q1

31.30

Impact Factor

7.83

Average Impact Factor

Projects

Definition of key mechanisms of multiresistance of head and neck tumors to chemo- and radiotherapeutic treatments. Identification of new individualized antitumor drugs
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart
Agency: AECC (Fundación Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer)
Funding: 380,000 €
Period: 2016-2023

New therapeutic approaches for HNSCC cancer
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 183,920 €
Period: 2021-2023

New therapeutic approaches against COVID-19
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart
Agency: La Marató TV3
Funding: 161,875 €
Period: 2021-2024

Patents

COMPOUNDS FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCERS THAT OVEREXPRESS TSPAN1
Priority Number: EP23383269.0
Priority Date: 11/12/2023
Applicants: VHIR (60%), IAQC-CSIC (20%) and URiV (20%)