27 March 2025 - Press notes
Previously unknown access points in cell membrane proteins have been discovered, enabling laboratory-developed drugs to modify cell function.
The discovery was made possible through computer simulations with an unprecedented level of detail. The results are available online to support the development of new, targeted drugs for a wide range of diseases.
Research centers from thirteen countries collaborated on the study, which has been published in Nature Communications.
March 24th, 2025 - Press notes
A new study led by researchers from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), the research centre of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, has made significant strides in the search for effective blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease early detection. The research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, provides a comprehensive comparison of various plasma biomarkers and their accuracy in detecting Alzheimer's disease in a memory clinic setting.
March 24th, 2025 - Press notes
The genetic modification of the Natural Killer (NK) cells, lymphocytes forming part of the body's immune system, would make it possible to retain their capacity of eliminating tumour cells in solid tumours.
Some types of tumours secrete two molecules, TGF-β and Activin A, which supress the capacity of NK cells to attack them.
A team of researchers from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Pompeu Fabra University has developed a new tool that allows modifying these NK cells to make them immune to the tumour's defense mechanism.
March 13, 2025 - Press notes
A study led by the Hospital del Mar Research Institute has established the importance of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that is part of the immune system, in generating a response to pneumonia vaccines.
Researchers have found that the absence of this antibody leads to an overgrowth of gut microbiota, triggering an excessive and sustained immune system response, which ultimately becomes exhausted and fails to respond effectively to vaccines.
The study, published in Science Advances, opens the door to exploring the possibility of early immunoglobulin therapy administration to prevent this process and reduce the risk of potentially dangerous infections, even in at-risk individuals without a diagnosed immunodeficiency.
March 6th, 2025 - Press notes
A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga has demonstrated how neurons in the human brain generate memories and establish narratives. The research is published in the journal Cell Reports.
For the first time, it has been confirmed that, contrary to previous beliefs, individual neurons represent the concepts we learn, regardless of the context in which we encounter them.
This allows humans, unlike other animals, to establish higher and more abstract relationships, which lays the foundation of human intelligence.
February 20th, 2025 - Press release
Researchers identify predictive markers of response to immunotherapy treatment in a study involving data from over 700 patients across six different cohorts, published in Nature Communications.
The study has significant relevance, impacting the management of bladder cancer patients. Machine learning tools enabled the identification of key variables for the success of immunotherapy treatment.
This innovative methodology has allowed researchers to pinpoint which tumor subtypes respond best to immunotherapy.
February 6th, 2025 - Press notes
The Micro Immune Response On chip (MIRO) allows tumours and their environment to be replicated in order to understand their response to treatment. The device, which has already been successfully tested on breast cancer samples, could be key to developing new treatments and determining the most appropriate therapy for each patient in a personalized way. The work, published in Nature Communications, is the result of a collaboration between the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and the Research Institute of the Hospital del Mar.
December 17th, 2024 - Press notes
Phase 1/2 of the clinical trial shows that the administration of the AEF0217 molecule developed by the biotech Aelis Farma, is safe and can improve key skills such as communication, social interactions and daily living for people with Down syndrome.
These results reinforce the start of the phase 2 clinical trial, through an international multicenter study with people with Down syndrome, focused on the dose necessary to achieve the treatment goal.
December 11th, 2024 - Press notes
Consuming 20-30% of daily energy intake in the morning influences key cardiovascular risk factors. People who consume the right amount of energy in the morning have 2-3.5% lower body mass index, less abdominal obesity (2-4% smaller waist circumference), 9-18% lower triglycerides, and 4-8.5% higher HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).
Additionally, having a high-quality breakfast with a balanced intake of proteins, high-value fats, fiber, calcium, and iron is associated with a 1.5% smaller waist circumference, 4% lower triglycerides, and 3% higher HDL cholesterol.
The study tracked nearly 400 participants of the PREDIMED-Plus study over three years, which analyzes the effects of the Mediterranean diet on participants' health.
November 18th, 2024 - Press notes
The p95HER2 protein is found expressed in one third of HER2+ tumors, which represent 4% of all tumors. Led by VHIO investigators, CAR T cells targeting p95HER2 have been engineered to secrete the TECH2Me bispecific antibody. Both therapies specifically and independently recognize tumor cells. In addition, the TECH2Me bispecific antibody activates immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
This dual mechanism of action has demonstrated safety and achieved complete and durable antitumor responses in patient-derived models of HER2+ p95HER2-expressing solid tumors.
Published in Nature Communications, results of this VHIO-led study have provided the rationale for the application of a phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial, currently in the approval process, to assess this novel therapeutic strategy in patients with HER2-driven solid tumors.
This study is mainly supported by the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) through AUSONIA and has also received funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), Fundación BBVA through the Comprehensive Program of Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunology (CAIMI), which is one of VHIO's Institutional Programs focused on developing new advanced therapies.
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