Molecular studies in cancer of the colon

According to Dr. Jesús García-Foncillas, Director of the Department of Oncology at the University Hospital (University of Navarra), molecular studies in cancer of the colon will contribute to the establishment of more efficient and less toxic treatments.

A deep understanding of the tumour process facilitates knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that need to be activated in order to reverse the cancerous process. The following step is to look for new therapeutic strategies based on molecular biology, as well as quimiotherapy, immunotherapy or genic therapy treatments that help to obtain enhanced results for this disease.

Lines of investigation

The Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) at the University of Navarra and the University Hospital are working together in a co-ordinated manner for the development of new cancer research projects with the view to their application in clinical practice. One of the most relevant lines of investigation involves the understanding of the bases for the development of lung cancer. There are very high hopes for positive results concerning the early stages in the development of this illness. This can open the doors to an early diagnosis and, thus, to efficacious treatment.

Biological treatments are the basis of the new strategy in cancer therapy. In fact, one of the aims of CIMA is directed to looking for therapeutic targets that are key moments in the development of cancer of the colon. The research specialist at the University hospital commented that being able to identify the aggressiveness of the cancer of the colon significantly changed the way of looking at the treatment for this carcinoma which, together with lung and breast cancer, are the most prevalent tumours. It should not be forgotten that the objective of our research is always the patient, and so our work should always be in defence of this.

Another line of research involves haemato-oncological illnesses, such as leukaemias and lymphomas.