Escola i Ciència - Schools and Science Program

As part of our Escola i Ciència - Schools and Science Program, more than 520 children in the sixth grade of primary school have come to VHIO to learn about science and cancer. During 2023, 10 different schools from Barcelona and surrounding areas visited VHIO to meet our researchers, tour our laboratories, and discover more about cancer biology and research through dedicated scientific workshops.

VHIO Open Day

In April 2023, VHIO held its first open day with the mission of bringing cancer research closer to society. The 360 participants toured VHIO's facilities and laboratories, and listened to up to seven talks given by VHIO faculty on topics related to the latest advances in cancer research, including personalized medicine, clinical trials, and immunotherapy.

There were also workshops for the whole family where children could learn about genetics and use laboratory tools through a volume workshop. 

This wonderful initiative is part of VHIO’s PAtient and CiTIzen InvolvemENT Program (PATIENT) as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (2022-2026), and one that we are dedicated to organizing each year.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, VHIO organized the first #VHIOWomen to raise awareness of the importance of women in research and technology and encourage girls to pursue scientific careers.

Each year, VHIO researchers participate in the #100tífiques joint initiative of the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI) and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), in collaboration with the Departament d’Educació de la Generalitat de Catalunya. 

Organized annually, this project aims to increase the visibility and highlight the relevance and strategic role of women in science and technology, promoting joint actions between scientists from academia and enterprise. It also seeks to forge a more direct and reciprocal relationship between science and society.

European Night of Research

From 27 to 29 September 2023, VHIO investigators once again participated in the Nit Europea de la Recerca (European Night of Research) with several activities open to the public. 

On the afternoon of 28 September, VHIO took part in two of the activities included in the Vil-la Urània program. Silvia Martín Lluesma, Head of VHIO's Advanced Therapies Program, gave a talk with a lot of interaction with the public, followed by a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) organized by members of VHIO’s Radiomics Group.

Festa de la Ciència

The Ajuntament de Barcelona organized the 16^th annual Festa de la Ciència. One hundred and seventy activities were held during the event to bring scientific knowledge to the public and families. This event serves as an educational forum to learn about and update on the latest scientific advances.

Paolo Nuciforo, Head of our Molecular Oncology Group, participated with his micro-talk on: The Microbiome and cancer: what is the relationship between them?.

World Cancer Day 2023

The Vall d'Hebron University Hospital celebrated World Cancer Day on 03 February. VHIO’s participation included our Director Josep Tabernero, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Joan Seoane, co-Director of VHIO’s Preclinical and Translational Research Program and Head of VHIO’s Gene Expression and Cancer Group, and Eva Muñoz, Head of our Melanoma and Other Cutaneous Tumors Research Group in a round table discussion.

Science Week

During this year’s Science Week, Francisco Barriga, Head of VHIO’S Genomic Engineering Group, delivered an interesting lecture entitled: How do we know that cancer is a genetic disease?, where he explained interesting aspects of genetics, cancer development, and research carried out by his group.

One of our Patrons and Institutional Supporters, the FERO Foundation, presided by Sol Daurella, celebrated its Annual Award Ceremony and Fundraising Gala Dinner at the Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña (MNAC) in May 2023. These prestigious accolades include the FERO Award for Translational Research, FERO-ghd Award for Breast Cancer Research, and launched last year, the Dr. Baselga Award in honor of José Baselga, the Founder and late Honorary President of FERO and VHIO’s founder and first director, who passed away in 2021. 

Francisco Martínez Jiménez, who joined VHIO in 2023 as Head of our Computational Immunogenomics Group, received the XXIV FERO Award for Translational Research, supported by the Ramón Areces Foundation. By conducting comprehensive genome and tumor transcriptome sequencing, his research aims to identify novel biomarkers of up-front resistance to cancer immunotherapies. Specifically, he will investigate the landscape of genetic immune alterations linked with response to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in a cohort of over 600 cancer patients.

Marcos Malumbres, co-Director of our Preclinical and Translational Research Program, Head of VHIO’s Cell Cycle and Cancer Group and an ICREA Research Professor, received the V FERO-MANGO Award for Breast Cancer Research, sponsored by MANGO, for his project focused on unveiling resistance mechanisms to current treatments in breast cancer patients.

The project's objective is to overcome resistance to current treatments in progressing breast cancer. Advanced breast cancer with positive estrogen receptors (ER) and negative HER2 poses a particular challenge in oncology. Despite advances in treatments, resistance to current therapies is common in metastatic disease, complicating the outlook for many patients. Among the most advanced therapies for this type of cancer are CDK4 and CDK6 cell cycle regulator inhibitors, which have become the standard treatment along with hormone therapy for these tumors. 

Marcos Malumbres said, "These two molecules are essential for the multiplication of breast cancer cells, so blocking them seems like a logical strategy. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is usually transient. Over time, tumor cells develop mechanisms to evade these brakes and continue their proliferation. In many cases, the exact mechanisms behind this resistance are a mystery.”

The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation is committed to boosting the career development of young professionals in medical research and has actively collaborated with renowned hospitals and research institutes in Catalonia including the Germans Trias Hospital, Clínic Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital, and VHIO. The Foundation’s Talents Grants, which have received a total investment of 2 million euros since the program's inception 12 years ago, have already supported around 200 young talents.

Currently in their 12^th edition, these awards represent a successful model for promoting research among young specialist medical staff and other healthcare professionals. Driven by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation in collaboration with the Germans Trias Hospital, Clínic Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital, and VHIO, they provide post-residency support for young professionals in the healthcare sector to conduct research while remaining linked to their respective hospital centers. 

The following two VHIO projects were awarded with Talents Grants in 2023:

David García Illescas, a Medical Oncologist and Clinical Investigator of VHIO's Gynecological Malignancies Group, received a Talents Grant to develop his project focused on the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance by liquid biopsy in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer harbouring mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes (PiROva). This translational, academic and prospective study aims to advance insights into the molecular mechanisms of resistance to PARPi toward optimizing treatment for each individual patient.

Patricia Fernández, a Predoctoral Investigator of VHIO's Experimental Hematology Group, has received support from the Talents program for her project studying the mechanisms of immune evasion and disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) using genetically-engineered mouse models. By studying immune evasion mechanisms during CLL development, she aims to determine the role of immunomodulatory drugs in reversing disease progression.

During the Award Ceremony, four former awardees presented their projects in an elevator pitch format, including Natalia Tissera, a Medical Oncologist and Predoctoral Investigator of VHIO’s Upper Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Tumors Group translational research lab. Her project entitled: Toward next-generation immunotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma, focuses on the immune microenvironment of patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The analysis of transcriptomics and epigenomics data by single-cell sequencing, will guide the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Our Vall d’Hebron University Hospital received double recognition at this year’s 11^th edition of the ECO Foundation (Foundation for Excellence and Quality in Oncology). Awards. Celebrated in September 2023, it received the Award for the Best Quality Initiative in Oncology for its accredition as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) through its Accreditation and Designation (A&D) Programme. 

Officially announced in June of this year, this accreditation recognizes the multidisciplinary integrated cancer care, translational and clinical cancer research of excellence at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), and Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). Following an exhaustive external evaluation, having successfully complied with 85 standards and 343 sub-standards—both qualitative and quantitative—Vall d’Hebron is the first to receive this level of OECI accreditation in Spain. 

Thanks to this prestigious recognition, Vall d’Hebron joins OECI’s network of some fifty leading certified cancer centers in Europe and beyond, including the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm (Sweden), Instituto Nazionale del Tumor de Milan (Italy), Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam (The Netherlands), and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre (UK).

Additionally, Ana Oaknin, Head of VHIO’s Gynecological Malignancies Group and the Gynecologic Tumors Unit of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, was awarded with the ECO Extraordinary Prize for Research in Gynecological Cancer in recognition of her leadership in innovative studies and clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of these tumor types. As an example, Ana Oaknin leads the GARNET study that is evaluating novel immune-based therapy for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

In 2023, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) awarded 51 SEOM Fellowships totaling 1,241,000€ to medical oncologists and SEOM members, enabling their continued research and training toward improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. For the second consecutive year, this is the highest number of fellowships awarded by SEOM to date. 

This year’s award recipients included three VHIO investigators:

Oriol Mirallas, a Phase I Investigator at our Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) – CaixaResearch and a Medical Oncologist at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, received a We Are the Future Award, which is jointly supported by the SEOM Foundation and the pharmaceutical company MERCK to recognize the work of Medical Oncology Residents.

The SEOM Fellowship for Translational Research Projects in Immuno-Oncology was awarded to Elena Élez, Head of VHIO’s Colorectal Cancer Group and a Medical Oncologist at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, for a project entitled: Evaluation of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) as a Biomarker in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Immune Checkpoint Combinations.

Lastly, the SEOM Breast Cancer Research Fellowship supported by Samsung, was awarded to Cristina Saura, Head of VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group and the Breast Unit at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, for the project entitled: Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA in Breast Milk for Early Diagnosis of Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer (MMATERNA).

As highlighted by the Coordinator of the SEOM Fellowship Committee, Ramón Colomer, "Our Fellowships, Grants, Travel Grants, Projects, and Awards support one of SEOM’s priorities, namely, to promote training and research. We are therefore pleased with the interest that these opportunities generate each year." He also observed that this year’s edition once again celebrated a record number of fellowships granted with a total of 51, and the introduction of four new categories for projects on the application of artificial intelligence for early cancer diagnosis, new technologies for the study and care of long-term cancer survivors, innovative care and oncological management, and physical exercise and cancer.

SEOM President (2021-2023), Enriqueta Felip, co-Director of VHIO’s Clinical Research Program and Head of our Thoracic Tumors Group, emphasized that, "Each year we strive to obtain increased funding through our own resources and by collaborating with other entities. This support promotes clinical and translational research, trainings at reference centers in oncology, and the expansion of a knowledge network among Spanish medical oncologists, so that their work can continue to improve outcomes for cancer patients, advance healthcare, and benefit our society."

She added, "Research is essential for progress against cancer. Without it, there is no progress, and therefore, no advances in cancer treatment. Research continues to drive important advances in biomarker discovery and development, unveil mechanisms of cancer drug resistance, and accelerate the development of targeted therapies, among many other crucial areas of progress against cancer. Both clinical and preclinical research are essential, with the latter laying the foundation for the development of more effective treatment strategies."

One of the awardees pointed out, "Thanks to the support received from SEOM, we will continue to achieve a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cancer. These training and research opportunities not only enable us to work alongside global leaders in the field, but also strengthen the career development of young medical oncologists in Spain toward improving outcomes for patients with cancer."

The M. Chiara Giorgetti Award is organized annually by the Spanish Association for Metastatic Breast Cancer (AECMM) to help advance metastatic breast cancer research. In its fifth edition, this award has granted a total of 270,000€ this year. The winning projects were selected by an Evaluation Committee comprising esteemed experts in oncology and research. In 2023, two proposals from VHIO were awarded second and third prize.

Judith Balmaña, Head of VHIO’s Hereditary Cancer Genetics Group and the Familial Cancer Program of the Medical Oncology Department at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, and a Medical Oncologist of VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group, received the second prize of 70,000€ for research on: Clinical outcomes of CDK4/6 inhibitor + endocrine therapy as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer and carriers of a germline or somatic pathogenic variant in an HRR-related gene. 

The third prize of 50,000€, was awarded to Marcos Malumbres and Cristina Saura, Head of VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group at VHIO and the Breast Unit at Vall d'Hebron, for their joint project entitled: Predictive spatial transcriptomics to identify minimal residual disease in ER+ HER2- breast cancer. 

The AECMM, presided by Pilar Fernández Pascual, announced the winners of the M. Chiara Giorgetti Award for metastatic breast cancer research. This initiative supports projects with significant potential to advance the understanding and treatment of metastatic breast cancer toward the chronicity and eventual cure of this disease. To date, over 500,000€ has been awarded across 11 different research projects. Funding is sourced entirely from member contributions, association-led charitable activities, and donations from individuals and collaborating entities.

Researchers, patients, and other stakeholders dedicated to advancing metastatic breast cancer research gathered at this year’s award ceremony.

Pau Donés, the leader, singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Spanish rock band Jarabe de Palo, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2015. After several relapses, he passed away at the age of 53 in June 2020. Throughout his illness, the charismatic singer always sought to convey a message of optimism and hope, doing so through his songs and media appearances, where he consistently expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals treating him, particularly the oncology nurses at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital.

Ángeles Peñuelas, President of the Spanish Oncology Nursing Society (SEEO) and Director of Oncology Nursing at Vall d’Hebron, recalled Pau's affection and advocacy for the role of oncology nursing staff throughout his illness. Marc Donés expressed gratitude on behalf of his brother for SEEO's recognition: "It is an honor for the family to receive this award on behalf of Pau. I accompanied him many times during treatments, and I can assure you that everything Pau did to highlight the role of nursing staff, he did consciously and sincerely."

"As a family, we have few opportunities to publicly thank you for the care and attention you gave to Pau. We are committed to continuing Pau's legacy in his oncological research projects and, of course, to continue being a voice for the vital role of oncology nursing."

Josep Tabernero also received recognition from SEEO "for his unwavering support in raising awareness of the role of oncology nursing in patient care and clinical cancer research," said Ángeles Peñuelas.

Josep observed, "I firmly believe that the role of nursing is essential in the treatment of cancer patients. They are part of a multidisciplinary team, and their role is crucial both from a care and emotional perspective, as cancer patients are very vulnerable and depend on comprehensive care, health education, and above all, emotional support provided by oncology nurses." He added, “Furthermore, they are also a key part of cancer research. Currently, very complex clinical trials are being conducted, and nursing staff must know all the details of each study so that the research is successful," 

This year, the Enric Martínez i Julià Award, promoted by the Centre Sant Pere 1892 in Barcelona and supported by the Martínez-Castignani Family, recognized Vall d’Hebron for its contributions to society and the public health sector, a universal right of Catalonia's citizens. Pere Barba, Head of the Advanced Therapies Program of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital’s Hematology Service and a Clinical Investigator of VHIO’s Experimental Hematology Group, accepted the award. 

Also present at the award ceremony and preceding discussion was Josefina Cortés, Head of the Rheumatology Service at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and of the Lupus Unit of the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), and principal investigator of a CAR-T advanced therapy project in lupus.

The Vall d’Hebron University Hospital has one of the most comprehensive CAR-T cell therapy programs in Spain, having treated nearly 300 patients since 2019, particularly patients with refractory B-cell and T-cell lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is the only authorized center in Catalonia for treating both children and adults and is also researching to expand this treatment to patients with other oncological diseases and, now, to non-oncological conditions. This form of immunotherapy is carried out in collaboration between the Blood and Tissue Bank of Catalonia (BST) and VHIO. "It is an honor for the Vall d’Hebron CAR-T program team to receive this award, which aims to emphasize the need to defend and recognize the work of those individuals, institutions, and teams that actively and discreetly advocate for the most universal human and personal values in our society," expressed Pere Barba.

The pioneering study, carried out in collaboration with Josefina Cortés, is an international phase Ib/IIa clinical trial, sponsored by Novartis. Involving other investigators and healthcare professionals across the Vall d’Hebron Campus, including the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, VHIR, and VHIO in collaboration with the Blood and Tissue Bank of Catalonia, this study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of this type of immunotherapy in people with lupus.

The AstraZeneca Foundation awarded a total of one million euros to support the growth and consolidation of young research talent in Spain. Under the motto of "People who change lives", the Foundation’s Young Researchers Awards, now in their 7^th edition, fund collaborative research led by groups from different autonomous communities, structured as network research projects. 

This year, each of the four prized projects received a grant of 225,000€ to develop their innovative research aimed at improving the quality of life of patients. Awarded under the category of Oncology, Precision Medicine, and Immuno-Oncology, the project entitled: Deciphering the molecular and cellular bases of intercellular communication in lethal prostate cancer: LetalCHAT, is coordinated by Arkaitz Carracedo, Group Leader of the Cancer Cell Signalling and Metabolism Lab at CIC bioGUNE, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) in Derio (Vizcaya). Carried out in collaboration with Joaquin Mateo, Head of the Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group at VHIO, Nicolás Herranz, a Senior Investigator of Joaquin’s group, and María Casanova-Acebes, Head of the Cancer Immunity Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in Madrid, this project also has the support of the Basque Association Against Cancer.

This research aims to advance insights into the cross-talk between prostate cancer cells and their surrounding tumor environment, driving the metastatic seeding of cancer cells at distant sites. "Metastatic prostate cancer represents a significant clinical challenge because once metastases form, we know that the treatments we have will only work temporarily. Therefore, we want to understand what allows these metastases to form initially; we believe that by doing so, we can find new ways to prevent or reverse their formation," explained Joaquin Mateo.

Celebrated on October 27^th, the award ceremony was inaugurated by Raquel Yotti, former Secretary-General of Research of the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain, and Marta Moreno, Vice President of the AstraZeneca Foundation, and Director of Corporate Affairs and Market Access at AstraZeneca. Marta Moreno said, "This seventh edition of the Awards strengthens our commitment to young researchers and initiatives that enable us to support, promote, and raise awareness of science and those who bring it to life.” 

In 2023, the PharmaMar Foundation launched the first edition of its Argonauta Awards. These awards recognize and reward professionals and projects that have made a significant difference in the field of scientific research and healthcare. 

Convening some of the most relevant national and international leaders in science and medicine, the award ceremony highlighted the impact of science in improving the quality of daily life and underpinned the need to strengthen the dissemination and promotion of research. 

President of the PharmaMar Foundation and PharmaMar José María Fernández Sousa-Faro observed: "With this first edition of these awards, we are very proud to be able to bring together such distinguished individuals, whose work has significantly contributed to improving healthcare and patient outcomes. From all of us at the PharmaMar Foundation, we hope that these recognitions will further contribute to the advancement of scientific research and the treatment of disease." 

Josep Tabernero, VHIO’s Director and Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Clinical Research for his distinguished career in clinical research and medical oncology. This distinction recognizes his leadership in the development of molecular therapies against cancer, and his significant contributions to translational medicine, as reflected in his extensive scientific work and global impact on the oncological community.

Josep thanked the Foundation for this award, which he dedicated to the team of professionals at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and VHIO, "who work with the conviction that there is still a long way to go and that every single day counts. While survival rates have soared over recent decades, there are still many patients for whom we do not have effective therapeutic options. We must continue to work together in our determined efforts to win the war on cancer."

The latest edition of Gaceta Médica's Best in Class Awards (BIC) honored Vall d’Hebron across four different categories: Best Headache Unit, Best Care for Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Best Oncohematology Pharmacy Service, and the Oncology Research Award for Patient Care, along with an honorable mention for its CAR-T cell therapy program. At the awards ceremony, celebrated at Vall d’Hebron, Albert Salazar, General Manager of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, congratulated the awardees. Organized by Gaceta Médica in collaboration with the Chair of Innovation and Healthcare Management at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, the Best in Class Awards recognize leading public and private healthcare services and units in Spain, that strive for excellence in patient care. Winners are selected based on their score on the Patient Care Quality Index (IQAP), derived from questionnaires reviewed by scientific societies and completed by the centers, detailing their rigorous procedures.

Josep Tabernero, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and Director of VHIO, accepted this year’s Award alongside Alba Silverio Pons, an Operational Research Nurse Lead at VHIO. 

Other Units within the Vall d’Hebron Campus were also recognized: Xavier Montalbán, Head of the Neurology Service and director of CEMCAT (Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia), received the Best Multiple Sclerosis Unit Award; Patricia Pozo, Head of the Headache Unit at Vall d’Hebron, who also leads the Migraine Adaptive Brain Center and Headache and Neurological Pain Group at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), received the Best Headache Unit Award; and Maria Josep Carreras, who directs the Oncohematology Pharmacy Unit at Vall d’Hebron, received the Best Oncology Hospital Pharmacy Unit Award.

Lastly, Pere Barba received an honorable mention during these awards in recognition for this program, accompanied by nurse supervisor Mercedes Valentín.