Drs. Maite Álvarez and Teresa Ezponda, researchers at Cima University of Navarra, have received two scientific grants from the association Española contra el Cáncer in the call "researcher AECC 2019". The act of submission was held this morning at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, as part of the events organized by the AECC on the occasion of the World Cancer Day (WCRD) research .

The work of Dr. Maite Álvarez (Ermua, 1982) focuses on a new intratumoral immunotherapy approach. "It consists of combining two immune system cells (cDC1 and NK cells) and injecting them directly into the tumor. The aim is, on the one hand, to shrink the tumor and, on the other, to orchestrate a better antitumor response," says Dr. Alvarez.

On the other hand, Dr. Teresa Ezponda (Pamplona, 1981) will study gene regulatory pathways in myelodysplastic syndromes. These are age-associated pathologies in which there is an abnormal training of blood cells. As Dr. Ezponda explains, "in the first part of this project we will study the genes that are active, as well as the regulatory pathways that control this activation. This information will allow us to identify factors that can be core topic in the progression of these diseases. In the second part of the study we will look for prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets for the treatment of these pathologies". 

The scientific financial aid of each project of research awarded to Cima has an endowment of 200,000 euros.

National Cancer Plan research

During the ceremony of submission of the grants, Ignacio Muñoz Pidal, President of the AECC and the AECC Scientific Foundation, asked the Spanish Government for a National Cancer Plan research and that "our country should take seriously the research in cancer, something that can only be achieved with a State pact where all the actors are coordinated to obtain a medium-term vision deadline and set priorities".

This Plan of research in Cancer must contemplate five fundamental points to reach the objectives in 2030:

• At least double the investment that has been made in the last 10 years, which has been 1.55 billion euros, to 3 billion euros by 2030.

• Promote talent researcher through specific support for young researchers.

• To adjust the research site in Spain to the epidemiological reality of the country.

• Boosting innovation in cancer by reducing the desert crossing that is experienced in the last stages of the research.

• Promote non-commercial clinical trials.