VHIO’s Bioinformatics Unit (VHIOinformatics) provides research groups with cutting-edge computational resources for the analysis of cancer-related omics data. We support VHIO investigators through the implementation of state-of-the-art bioinformatic pipelines and the processing of multi-omics datasets.

Collaborating with researchers across multiple projects, we participate in different stages of research from conception or experimental design through to bioinformatic data analysis and final publication, with particular focus on visualization and functional interpretation. In 2023 we conducted forty omics data analyses in collaboration with fifteen VHIO research groups. These are mainly RNA-seq and genomics (targeted or WES) data sets.

In parallel with the incorporation of VHIO’s single-cell sequencing UNIQUE platform, we have continued to gain experience in the analysis of this type of data. Furthermore, we have reassessed several publicly available datasets to gain insights into the development and spread of cancer. Following the FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management, we have also uploaded some of our internal datasets to publicly accessible repositories.

Our computational procedures are based on open-source software developed in a safe and reproducible environment. Available to bioinformaticians in-house, we have continued to expand our cluster infrastructure, with the addition of two new computational and storage nodes. Thanks to the Excelencia Severo Ochoa accreditation that VHIO received in 2021 as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (2022-2026), we will continue to develop this infrastructure in 2024.

Our Bioinformatics Unit is a member of the Spanish translational bioinformatics network, TransBioNet, which is coordinated by the Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute (INB) and works in association with the European Life Science Infrastructure for Biological Information (ELIXIR). We also represent VHIO in various consortia and taskforces.

• Set up and manage an appropriate and scalable computational infrastructure for bioinformatics analyses.
• The implementation of state-of-the-art pipelines and tools for the analysis and visualization of different omics datasets, including publicly available datasets.
• Application of advanced bioinformatics techniques for the identification and validation of biomarkers for cancer research.
• Generation of computational models to integrate different types of omics data that foster personalized medicine using classical or cutting-edge machine learning techniques.
• Establish collaborative research with VHIO groups to promote the use of advanced computational methods for data analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
• Consolidate a group of skilled bioinformaticians who can support problem-solving in many omics data analysis scenarios.
• Coordinate an internal bioinformatics network aimed at sharing knowledge and optimizing resources. As an example, we organize a monthly Bioinformatics Journal Club to discuss hot topics in the field.
• Provide mentorship to bioinformaticians in-house on the use of VHIO’s computational cluster and the application of standard data analysis procedures.

• The setting up of VHIO’s computational cluster which operates with Slurm and Docker for task management. In addition, Nextflow facilitates the automation of bioinformatic pipelines.
• Recruitment of expert bioinformaticians to support VHIO’s pioneering cancer research.
• Establishment of standard pipelines for the processing and analysis of omics datasets, with particular focus on single cell and spatial transcriptomics data analysis.
• Collaboration with several groups for the analysis of omics data sets, ranging from raw sequencing data alignment to the development of functions for the appropriate visualization of assessment results. During 2023 we collaborated in the data analysis of forty translational projects of fifteen research groups at VHIO.
• Our group provides guidance to VHIO researchers on computational processes.
• We participate in various consortia, task forces and institutional projects.
• This year, we have organized courses for VHIO investigators on exploring public cancer data through web resources and are planning a new edition of this educational program in 2024. We also planning an updated edition of our course on functional analysis of omics data using public tools which first took place in 2022.
• We have launched the first edition of the Computational Oncology Master’s Thesis Award to recognize the best Master’s Thesis on Computational Life Sciences at the national level (Spain). This has been organized together with VHIO’s Cancer Computational Biology, Cancer Immunogenomics, and Radiomics Groups, in collaboration with the VHIO Academy. 

• Deploy the new Severo Ochoa Digital Oncology Unit (SOUND), together with other research groups and support units.
• Manage the bioinformaticians network at VHIO and define a standard procedure to compute omics data analysis on the computational cluster.
• Organize new internal courses on standard bioinformatic tasks such as functional enrichment analysis or extraction and visualization of public cancer repositories. 
• Support VHIO’s research groups to solve bioinformatics challenges.
• Assist VHIO's research groups in their data management practices and foster a collaborative journey towards open data sharing

• Pujals M, Mayans C, Bellio C, Méndez O, Greco E, Fasani R, Alemany-Chavarria M, Zamora E, Padilla L, Mitjans F, Nuciforo P, Canals F, Nonell L, Abad M, Saura C, Tabernero J, Villanueva J. RAGE/SNAIL1 signaling drives epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene. 2023 Aug;42(35):2610-2628. 
• Zacarías-Fluck MF, Massó-Vallés D, Giuntini F, González-Larreategui Í, Kaur J, Casacuberta-Serra S, Jauset T, Martínez-Martín S, Martín-Fernández G, Serrano Del Pozo E, Foradada L, Grueso J, Nonell L, Beaulieu ME, Whitfield JR, Soucek L. Reducing MYC's transcriptional footprint unveils a good prognostic gene signature in melanoma. Genes Dev. 2023 Apr 1;37(7-8):303-320. 

1. Pujals M, Mayans C, Bellio C, Méndez O, Greco E, Fasani R, Alemany-Chavarria M, Zamora E, Padilla L, Mitjans F, Nuciforo P, Canals F, Nonell L, Abad M, Saura C, Tabernero J, Villanueva J. RAGE/SNAIL1 signaling drives epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene. 2023 Aug;42(35):2610-2628. 
2. Zacarías-Fluck MF, Massó-Vallés D, Giuntini F, González-Larreategui Í, Kaur J, Casacuberta-Serra S, Jauset T, Martínez-Martín S, Martín-Fernández G, Serrano Del Pozo E, Foradada L, Grueso J, Nonell L, Beaulieu ME, Whitfield JR, Soucek L. Reducing MYC's transcriptional footprint unveils a good prognostic gene signature in melanoma. Genes Dev. 2023 Apr 1;37(7-8):303-320. 

VHIO’s Molecular Oncology Group applies state-of-the-art tissue-based technologies to basic, translational, and clinical research to develop and validate novel tumor biomarkers in precision oncology.

Together with VHIO’s Cancer Genomics Group led by Ana Vivancos, Oncology Data Science - ODysSey Group headed by Rodrigo Dienstmann, and our Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) – CaixaResearch, directed by Elena Garralda, we co-lead VHIO's Molecular Prescreening Program, supported by the FERO Foundation. Each year, we perform molecular profiling in over 1,100 patients who are candidates for enrolment in early phase clinical trials conducted at our UITM-CaixaResearch.

Our group also serves as one of VHIO’s core technology platforms, and our laboratory plays a central role in VHIO’s translational research lines and programs. We collaborate in all projects involving the use of human tissue collected from patients, including biomarker analyses for patient stratification and inclusion in clinical trials, digital pathology, tissue banking, and the development of primary patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Illustrative of our contributions, we have (co) authored several publications in high-impact factor journals in 2023.

Working independently and in partnership, we aim to unravel the role of the microbiome in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. We study tumor-associated microbiota at spatial resolution by developing bacteria-specific probes. This research is part of the OPTIMISTICC Grand Challenge project funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

Supported by the Fundación Mutua Madrileña and Instituto de Salud Carlos III - ISCIII (Institute of Health Carlos III), we lead the FUSOMAP 3-year project. We are developing microbiota-based diagnostic and prognostic models by mapping intratumoral Fusobacterium and associated gut microbiota in early-stage colorectal cancer. 

We are also studying the consequences of Sars-Cov-2 infection on the microbiome of cancer patients and how it impacts on clinical outcome. This project is funded by the Fundació La Marató de TV3.

As a core facility, we have provided support for more than 400 clinical studies conducted at Vall d’Hebron, representing approximately 70% of all currently open trials at our Institute. Our involvement includes the coordination of sample collection, storage and shipment, the development and running of multiple assays for the 'real-time' inclusion of patients in these studies, and pharmacodynamic monitoring and dose-finding.

In 2023, we performed approximately 4,000 molecular determinations on samples for patient inclusion in clinical trials, and over 20,000 tests to support basic and translation research. We have also served as the central laboratory of choice for several international studies, and successfully maintained the prestigious ISO15189 accreditation that endorses quality and competence.

As a core facility:

• Apply molecular pathology strategies to support early clinical drug development.
• Define target epidemiology to help develop personalized treatment strategies in oncology.
• Serve as a central and local academic laboratory in clinical trials and a core technology platform at VHIO.

As an independent group:

• Advance insights into the cancer microbiome by interrogating cancer-associated microbiota to identify diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers in colorectal cancer and other tumor types. 
• Explore the impact of tumor heterogeneity on the therapeutic response to anti-HER2 therapy in breast cancer by in situ single-cell analysis techniques developed in the lab.
• Investigate the value of immune contexture analysis of the tumor microenvironment as a biomarker of response to immunotherapy in different cancer types. 
• Investigate the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology to increase reproducibility in tumor cell content quantification and identify image patterns from H&E-stained slides slides to help guide patient stratification.

• We co-lead VHIO's Molecular Prescreening Program (supported by the FERO Foundation). Each year, we perform molecular profiling in over 1,100 patients who are candidates for enrolment in early phase clinical trials conducted at our Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) - CaixaResearch.
• We have provided support for over 70% of all clinical studies conducted at VHIO.
• We have performed more than 20,000 tests to support preclinical and translational research programs.
• The collection and analysis of samples from over 1,000 patients for translational microbiome research projects. 

• Contribute to advancing the cancer microbiome field by interrogating the cancer-associated microbiome in the search for diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers in colorectal cancer as well as other tumor types.
• Apply spatial analyses to precision medicine in oncology.
• Explore the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology.

• Nuciforo P, Townend J, Piccart MJ, Fielding S, Gkolfi P, El-Abed S, de Azambuja E, Werutsky G, Bliss J, Moebus V, Colleoni M, Aspitia AM, Gomez H, Gombos A, Coccia-Portugal MA, Tseng LM, Kunz G, Lerzo G, Sohn J, Semiglazov V, Saura C, Kroep J, Ferro A, Cameron D, Gelber R, Huober J, Di Cosimo S. Ten-year survival of neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Mar;181:92-101. 
• Cedres S, Serna G, Gonzalez-Medina A, Valdivia A, Assaf-Pastrana JD, Iranzo P, Callejo A, Pardo N, Navarro A, Martinez-Marti A, Priano I, Fasani R, Guardia X, Gonzalo J, Carbonell C, Frigola J, Amat R, Navarro V, Dienstmann R, Vivancos A, Nuciforo P, Felip E. Expression of TILs and Patterns of Gene Expression from Paired Samples of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) Patients. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jul 14;15(14):3611. 
• Hernando-Calvo A, Vila-Casadesús M, Bareche Y, Gonzalez-Medina A, Abbas-Aghababazadeh F, Lo Giacco D, Martin A, Saavedra O, Brana I, Vieito M, Fasani R, Stagg J, Mancuso F, Haibe-Kains B, Han M, Berche R, Pugh TJ, Mirallas O, Jimenez J, Gonzalez NS, Valverde C, Muñoz-Couselo E, Suarez C, Diez M, Élez E, Capdevila J, Oaknin A, Saura C, Macarulla T, Galceran JC, Felip E, Dienstmann R, Bedard PL, Nuciforo P, Seoane J, Tabernero J, Garralda E, Vivancos A. A pan-cancer clinical platform to predict immunotherapy outcomes and prioritize immuno-oncology combinations in early-phase trials. Med. 2023 Oct 13;4(10):710-727.e5.
• Saura C, Ortiz C, Matito J, Arenas EJ, Suñol A, Martín Á, Córdoba O, Martínez-Sabadell A, García-Ruiz I, Miranda I, Morales-Comas C, Carrasco E, Viaplana C, Peg V, Nuciforo P, Bayó-Puxan N, Gonzalez-Medina A, Miquel JM, Gómez-Rey M, Villacampa G, Arévalo S, Espinosa-Bravo M, Balmaña J, Dienstmann R, Arribas J, Tabernero J, Vivancos A, Sansó M. Early-Stage Breast Cancer Detection in Breast Milk. Cancer Discov. 2023 Oct 5;13(10):2180-2191. 

1. FUSOMAP: Development of microbiota-based diagnostic and prognostic models by mapping intratumoral Fusobacterium and associated gut microbiota in early-stage colorectal cancer - Mutua Madrileña and ISCIII. (2020-2023).
2. Advancing a Precision Medicine Paradigm in metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Systems based patient stratification solutions - COLOSSUS, H2020. (2018-2023).
3. Opportunity: To Investigate the Microbiome’s Impact on Science and Treatment In Colorectal Cancer - OPTIMISTICC, Grand Challenge, Cancer Research UK. (2018-2025).
4. Microbiota composition as risk predictor in cancer patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - La Marató TV3, (2021-2024).

• Ajuts d’Indústria del Coneixement (IdC) – AGAUR, Generalidad de Catalunya (Project: FUSOPREDICT).
• Miguel Servet 2023 – ISCIII (Artur Mezheyeuski)

1. Saura C, Ortiz C, Matito J, Arenas EJ, Suñol A, Martín Á, Córdoba O, Martínez-Sabadell A, García-Ruiz I, Miranda I, Morales-Comas C, Carrasco E, Viaplana C, Peg V, Nuciforo P, Bayó-Puxan N, Gonzalez-Medina A, Miquel JM, Gómez-Rey M, Villacampa G, Arévalo S, Espinosa-Bravo M, Balmaña J, Dienstmann R, Arribas J, Tabernero J, Vivancos A, Sansó M. Early-Stage Breast Cancer Detection in Breast Milk. Cancer Discov. 2023 Oct 5;13(10):2180-2191. 
2. Mosconi P, Colombo C, Paletta P, Gangeri L, Pellegrini C, Garralda E, Miceli R, Brunelli C; CEE_DART Consortium. Public and patient involvement: a survey on knowledge, experience and opinions among researchers within a precision oncology European project. BMC Cancer. 2023 Aug 30;23(1):814. 
3. Hernando-Calvo A, Vila-Casadesús M, Bareche Y, Gonzalez-Medina A, Abbas-Aghababazadeh F, Lo Giacco D, Martin A, Saavedra O, Brana I, Vieito M, Fasani R, Stagg J, Mancuso F, Haibe-Kains B, Han M, Berche R, Pugh TJ, Mirallas O, Jimenez J, Gonzalez NS, Valverde C, Muñoz-Couselo E, Suarez C, Diez M, Élez E, Capdevila J, Oaknin A, Saura C, Macarulla T, Galceran JC, Felip E, Dienstmann R, Bedard PL, Nuciforo P, Seoane J, Tabernero J, Garralda E, Vivancos A. A pan-cancer clinical platform to predict immunotherapy outcomes and prioritize immuno-oncology combinations in early-phase trials. Med. 2023 Oct 13;4(10):710-727.e5.
4. Cuesta-Borràs E, Salvans C, Arqués O, Chicote I, Ramírez L, Cabellos L, Martínez-Quintanilla J, Mur-Espinosa A, García-Álvarez A, Hernando J, Tejedor JR, Mirallas O, Élez E, Fraga MF, Tabernero J, Nuciforo P, Capdevila J, Palmer HG, Puig I. DPPA3-HIF1α axis controls colorectal cancer chemoresistance by imposing a slow cell-cycle phenotype. Cell Rep. 2023 Aug 29;42(8):112927. 
5. Cedres S, Serna G, Gonzalez-Medina A, Valdivia A, Assaf-Pastrana JD, Iranzo P, Callejo A, Pardo N, Navarro A, Martinez-Marti A, Priano I, Fasani R, Guardia X, Gonzalo J, Carbonell C, Frigola J, Amat R, Navarro V, Dienstmann R, Vivancos A, Nuciforo P, Felip E. Expression of TILs and Patterns of Gene Expression from Paired Samples of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) Patients. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jul 14;15(14):3611. 
6. Pujals M, Mayans C, Bellio C, Méndez O, Greco E, Fasani R, Alemany-Chavarria M, Zamora E, Padilla L, Mitjans F, Nuciforo P, Canals F, Nonell L, Abad M, Saura C, Tabernero J, Villanueva J. RAGE/SNAIL1 signaling drives epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene. 2023 Aug;42(35):2610-2628. 
7. Capdevila J, Hernando J, Teule A, Lopez C, Garcia-Carbonero R, Benavent M, Custodio A, Garcia-Alvarez A, Cubillo A, Alonso V, Carmona-Bayonas A, Alonso-Gordoa T, Crespo G, Jimenez-Fonseca P, Blanco M, Viudez A, La Casta A, Sevilla I, Segura A, Llanos M, Landolfi S, Nuciforo P, Manzano JL. Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin. Nat Commun. 2023 May 23;14(1):2973. 
8. Baraibar I, García A, Salvà F, Ros J, Saoudi N, Comas R, Castillo G, Sanchis M, García-Álvarez A, Hernando J, Capdevila J, Castells MR, Martí M, Landolfi S, Espín E, Navalpotro B, Guevara J, Dopazo C, Nuciforo P, Vivancos A, Tabernero J, Élez E. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the early-onset colorectal cancer. Transl Oncol. 2023 Jun;32:101668. 
9. Di Cosimo S, Ciniselli CM, Pizzamiglio S, Cappelletti V, Silvestri M, El-Abed S, Izquierdo M, Bajji M, Nuciforo P, Huober J, Cameron D, Chia S, Gomez HL, Iorio MV, Vingiani A, Pruneri G, Verderio P. End-of-neoadjuvant treatment circulating microRNAs and HER2-positive breast cancer patient prognosis: An exploratory analysis from NeoALTTO. Front Oncol. 2023 Jan 31;12:1028825. 
10. Nuciforo P, Townend J, Piccart MJ, Fielding S, Gkolfi P, El-Abed S, de Azambuja E, Werutsky G, Bliss J, Moebus V, Colleoni M, Aspitia AM, Gomez H, Gombos A, Coccia-Portugal MA, Tseng LM, Kunz G, Lerzo G, Sohn J, Semiglazov V, Saura C, Kroep J, Ferro A, Cameron D, Gelber R, Huober J, Di Cosimo S. Ten-year survival of neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2023 Mar;181:92-101
11. Lambertini M, Ceppi M, Anderson RA, Cameron DA, Bruzzone M, Franzoi MA, Massarotti C, El-Abed S, Wang Y, Lecocq C, Nuciforo P, Rolyance R, Pusztai L, Sohn J, Latocca MM, Arecco L, Pistilli B, Ruddy KJ, Ballestrero A, Del Mastro L, Peccatori FA, Partridge AH, Saura C, Untch M, Piccart M, Di Cosimo S, de Azambuja E, Demeestere I. Impact of Anti-HER2 Therapy Alone and With Weekly Paclitaxel on the Ovarian Reserve of Young Women With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023 Jan;21(1):33-41.e16. 
12. Fernandez-Martinez A, Pascual T, Singh B, Nuciforo P, Rashid NU, Ballman KV, Campbell JD, Hoadley KA, Spears PA, Pare L, Brasó-Maristany F, Chic N, Krop I, Partridge A, Cortés J, Llombart-Cussac A, Prat A, Perou CM, Carey LA. Prognostic and Predictive Value of Immune-Related Gene Expression Signatures vs Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Early-Stage ERBB2/HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Correlative Analysis of the CALGB 40601 and PAMELA Trials. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Apr 1;9(4):490-499. 
13. Serra-Camprubí Q, Verdaguer H, Oliveros W, Lupión-Garcia N, Llop-Guevara A, Molina C, Vila-Casadesús M, Turpin A, Neuzillet C, Frigola J, Querol J, Yáñez-Bartolomé M, Castet F, Fabregat-Franco C, Escudero-Iriarte C, Escorihuela M, Arenas EJ, Bernadó-Morales C, Haro N, Giles FJ, Pozo ÓJ, Miquel JM, Nuciforo PG, Vivancos A, Melé M, Serra V, Arribas J, Tabernero J, Peiró S, Macarulla T, Tian TV. Human Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patient-Derived Xenografts and Tumoroids for Preclinical Drug Evaluation. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 Jan 17;29(2):432-445. 

• Identification of New Patient Stratification Tools in Microsatellite Stable (MSS) RAS mt Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) – COLOSSUS. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03699111.
• A phase Ib study of Ipatasertib, an AKT inhibitor, in combination with Pertuzumab plus Trastuzumab in patients with PI3KCA-mutant, HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. (IPATHER). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04253561.
• A Phase 1/2a Open Label, Multicenter Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of AFM24 in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Selected Advanced/Metastatic EGFR-expressing Cancers (AFM24-102). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05109442.
• A Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Anti-Tumour Activity of the MYC Inhibitor OMO-103 Administered Intravenously in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumours. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04808362.
• A Phase 1b Study to Evaluate the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Anti-Tumour Activity of the Myc Inhibitor OMO-103 Administered Intravenously in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors (OMO-103-02). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06059001
• ANV419 Single Agent (Parts A-C) or Combination (Part D) First in Human Study Phase 1/2: Open-label, Dose Escalation and Expansion Study in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Advanced Solid Tumors and Multiple Myeloma. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04855929.
• Predicting olaparib sensitivity in patients with unresectable locally advanced/metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer with BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51C or RAD51D mutations or RAD51-foci low test: RADIOLA TRIAL. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05340413
• Pembrolizumab and Olaparib in Homologous-recombination Deficient (HRD) Advanced Colorectal Cancer (CRC). (PEMBROLA). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05201612
• A phase II, open-label, biomarker-guided study of Carboplatin efficacy in pretreated metastatic castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)-BioChiP. EudraCT Number: 2019-002104-40.
• Real World Clinical Practice Study to Assess the Feasibility and Impact of Liquid Biopsy-based Genomic Profiling on Treatment Decision Making for Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer in Spain (SOLTI-2102) (HOPE-PROSTATE). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05885009.
• Olaparib and durvalumab (MEDI4736) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and DNA Damage Repair genes alterations (TTD-20-04). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05659914

Our VHIOTECA Unit was established in 2021 to support researchers in obtaining, registering and preserving biosamples other than tumoral tissue, including plasma, feces and saliva. Donated by cancer patients, these samples are vital for cancer research.

The advent of liquid biopsy analysis for identifying novel biomarkers of response and resistance to cancer therapies—and its application in clinical research requiring plasma samples—has led to a significant increase in blood draws from cancer patients.

Blood-based liquid biopsy requires an optimal infrastructure, the dynamization of circuits and optimization of resources. We aim to consolidate existing circuits and processes to ensure the optimal use of samples in the best possible conditions. We are also committed to supporting VHIO investigators in setting up new projects using blood plasma samples. In 2023, as a result of teamwork, we collected 5,000 samples from almost 2,200 patients.

One area of growing interest in clinical oncology is the study of the microbiome in tumor development and progression, especially in colorectal cancer. These studies require the collection and molecular testing of stool samples, as well as the completion of patient questionnaires for subsequent epidemiological studies. We aim to set up a new circuit for sample and data collection to facilitate the development and execution of projects focused on the microbiome and cancer. 

This year, in collaboration with Paolo Nuciforo, Head of VHIO’s Molecular Oncology Group, we have continued to follow a sample and data collection circuit that we established in 2022. These processes also count on the expertise of one of our research support technicians who is exclusively dedicated to all related tasks. In 2023, we have collected and processed 258 samples and 146 patients have completed questionnaires.

Our team comprises clinical and translational research oncology nurses specialized in different tumor types, and a technical support team for sample processing and registration, logistics and management as well as database creation and maintenance.

VHIO’s Molecular Prescreening Program

Since 2017 our Head of Unit, Susana Aguilar, has coordinated molecular prescreening at VHIO. She collaborates closely with this program’s Research Support Technician, Jenifer González. This program is co-led by Ana Vivancos, Elena Garralda, Paolo Nuciforo, and Rodrigo Dienstmann, Group Leaders of our Cancer Genomics, Early Clinical Drug Development, Molecular Oncology, and Oncology Data Science – OdysSey teams, respectively.

Consolidation of existing circuits:

• Support researchers in the extraction, registration and storage of samples (mostly plasma), and database maintenance.
• Standardize protocols and establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Optimal registration and archiving of patient Informed Consent forms.
• Establish new circuits for the collection of different plasma and tumor samples (e.g. feces, saliva, breast milk, etc.), and patient and sample data that are tailored to the specific requirements of different research projects.

• Collaborate with our clinical and preclinical teams to help set up new projects and foster collaboration using existing or new samples.

• We collaborate in a national project led by Paolo Nuciforo, Head of VHIO's Molecular Oncology Group: Microbiota composition as risk predictor in cancer patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This project is funded by the Fundació La Marató de TV3.
• We coordinate the collection of fecal samples from patients with colorectal cancer for the study of tumor-associated microbiota.