Projects
One of Fero Foundation’s main lines of action is financing translational research projects. The Foundation provides donors with the possibility to choose on what project to apply their contribution along with a guarantee of correct development. The results of this research benefit patients directly.
Current research projects
Liquid biopsy in paediatric brain cancer
TEAM: Dr Joan Seoane, Director of Translational Research at Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) (Barcelona), Dr García Ariza, from Cruces Hospital (Bilbao) and Dr Alvaro Lassaletta, from Niño Jesús Hospital (Madrid).
The project studies circulating DNA in cerebrospinal fluid in paediatric patients with medulloblastoma in suspected relapse. This analysis could help in the early detection of relapse, to differentiate it from false progression, and in the design of more appropriate treatments to improve life expectancy.
Funded with thanks to:
Treatment of advanced breast cancer with adoptive transfer of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS project)
TEAM: Dr Aleix Prat and Dr Manuel Juan, researchers at Hospital Clínic (Barcelona).
This research studies the evolution of advanced breast cancer treatment, with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS). It is hoped that the introduction of treatment biomarkers will enable us to identify the patients for whom this specific therapy is appropriate.
Funded with thanks to:
Advanced molecular diagnosis program (DIAMAV)
TEAM: Dr. Josep Tabernero, Director of VHIO and Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Dr. Ana Vivancos, Head of the Cancer Genomics Group, Dr. Paolo G. Nuciforo, Head of the Molecular Oncology Group, Dr. Rodrigo Dienstmann, Head of the Oncology Data Science Group (ODysSey).
The DIAMAV program focuses on molecular characterisation of tumours from cancer patients, seeking to identify key molecular alterations in the development of different tumours that can be susceptible to treatment with targeted therapies.
IRONMAN: International Registry for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer
FFinanced in Spain by Movember Foundation and Fero Foundation. Coordinators: VHIO and CNIO.
The IRONMAN project seeks to create an international registry of men with advanced prostate cancer. This registry will gather information on the type of tumour, treatment received and possible secondary effects.
Precision medicine in oncology: Development of new technological approaches to personalised treatments in immunotherapy
Dr. Desamparados Roda and Dr. Sheila Zúñiga Trejos, researchers at the Health Research Institute - INCLIVA, Valencia.
The project focuses on technological innovation enabling the identification and characterisation of new therapeutic targets in cancer patients who are candidates to receive experimental immunotherapy in the first stages.
Completed Projects
Breast Cancer Centre
Fero Foundation has been behind the Breast Cancer Centre, a leading organisation focused on the diagnosis, treatment and research of this type of cancer.
Located at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, the centre was built thanks to the donation of Mª Àngels Sanahuja, former patient of Dr. José Baselga, in memory of her parents, Roman Sanahuja and Francisca Ponts.
The Centre was inaugurated in 2008, with the attendance of Queen Sofía and Health Regional Minister Marina Geli.
Development of new therapies for childhood sarcoma
José Sánchez Toledo. Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO).
The project aims to identify the molecules responsible for the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a type of childhood cancer which frequently originates in muscle tissue, in order to develop new therapies that can combat this disease more effectively.
