In the frame of World Cancer Day, held on 4th February, various research projects at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) stand out for their efforts to find new therapeutic solutions for treating aggressive tumours. The project ReachGlio, led by researchers Ibane Abasolo and Miriam Royo, focuses on using nanotechnologies to enhance the effectiveness of treatments for glioblastomas, one of the most aggressive brain tumours. The key to their research lies in the use of nanoparticles, which, when combined with peptides, facilitate the passage of drugs through the blood-brain barrier, improving their distribution within the brain.
Meanwhile, Laia Josa-Culleré leads an innovative project aimed at developing light-activated drugs to target cancer stem cells in head and neck cancers. These drugs, which are activated only in the tumour area, offer a less toxic alternative to conventional chemotherapy by reducing side effects and improving treatment precision.
Lastly, Pablo Scodeller is working on a compound similar to MACTIDE-V, a promising treatment previously used for triple-negative breast cancer, in a project aimed at tackling glioblastoma. This chemical compound was successful in the results obtained since it reduced the breast tumor and eliminated almost all the metastasis produced. While no concrete results are available yet, the project is expected to conclude in 2026 with new advancements in the treatment of this type of cancer.
These research efforts represent a significant step towards the development of more specific and less invasive therapies for various types of cancer, demonstrating the IQAC-CSIC’s commitment to the fight against this disease.