Protein kinases in cancer research – VHIR Annual Report 2023

Our team is dedicated to unraveling novel cellular signaling pathways that govern cancer cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as to the development of targeted therapies to enhance the effectiveness of current anticancer treatments. Over the last year, our efforts have led to the identification of the protein kinase ERK5 as a promising target for augmenting the efficacy of standard chemotherapy and TRAIL-based treatments in endometrial cancer. Furthermore, we forged collaborations with Biopharma companies to advance the preclinical and clinical development of innovative anticancer compounds. Notably, we have continued to play a pivotal role in supporting the clinical advancement of ABTL0812, a pro-autophagy molecule currently undergoing Phase 2b Clinical Trials for patients with pancreatic cancer.

eCORE

Cancer

Team

Group Leader
Jose Miguel Lizcano De Vega

Researchers
Lorena Usero Ridruejo, Nora Diéguez Martínez

PhD Students
Sergio Espinosa Gil, Idoia Bolinaga Andrés, Maria Viñas Casas, Clàudia Faúndez Vidiella

Lab Technicians
Elisabet Megías Roda

Publications

100.0

%Q1

Impact Factor

Average Impact Factor

Espinosa-Gil S, Ivanova S, Alari-Pahissa E, Denizli M, Villafranca-Magdalena B, Viñas-Casas M, Bolinaga-Ayala I, Gámez-García A, Faundez-Vidiella C, Colas E, Lopez-Botet M, Zorzano A, Lizcano JM.
MAP kinase ERK5 modulates cancer cell sensitivity to extrinsic apoptosis induced by death-receptor agonists
Cell Death and Disease. 2023 Nov 2;14(11):715
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-06229-6.
IF: 9.00

Projects

New anticancer therapies based on pharmacologic inhibition of MAP Kinase ERK5
Principal Investigator: Jose M Lizcano
Agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). Programa Generaciónde Conocimiento 2019. Ref. PID2019-107561RB-I00
Funding: 133,100 €
Period: 2020-2023

Investigación de los efectos inmumoduladores de ABTL0812, un compuesto antitumoral activador de autofagia en fase clínica 2, e identificación de nuevos compuestos inmunoterapéuticos antitumorales basados en la autofagia
Principal Investigator: Jose M Lizcano
Agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). Proyectos en líneas estratégicas 2022. Ref. PLEC2022-009428
Funding: 451,150 €
Period: 2022-2025

Nuevas terapias antitumorales basadas en la propiedades inmunomoduladoras de los inhibidores de ERK5
Principal Investigator: Jose M Lizcano
Agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). Proyectos de Generaciñon de conocimiento 2022. Ref. PID2022-136391OB-I00 Lizcano
Funding: 162,500 €
Period: 2023-2026

Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders
Principal Investigator: Lucas Moreno Retortillo
Agency: AGAUR. Generalitat de Catalunya. SGR-Cat 2021. REf. 2021 SGR 00638
Funding: 60,000 €
Period: 2023-2025

Patents

A PHARMACEUTICAL COMBINATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF A CANCER
Priority Number: EP 3624786 B1
Priority Date: 05/07/2023
Applicants: Ability Pharma