Genomics and Therapy In Prostate Cancer
Description
GROUP DESCRIPTION
Our research group focuses on the molecular stratification of prostate cancer, particularly the identification of genomic factors or alterations that can be used as diagnostic, taxonomic, prognostic, or predictive biomarkers, or as therapeutic targets. Over the past decade, the application of high-throughput “omics” technologies—such as next-generation sequencing—has revealed the multiple layers of complexity and heterogeneity of this disease, although it is globally characterized by a predominance of structural alterations and a low mutation rate per megabase. Despite the identification of early and common events such as PTEN loss, ERG rearrangements, or AR alterations, the prognostic—and potentially predictive—utility of these changes has mainly been explored in the lethal, castration-resistant phase of the disease. Beyond the work of our group and others identifying the relevance of germline and/or somatic mutations in DNA repair genes such as BRCA2 in prostate cancer, few advances have been made in uncovering the determinants of metastasis or the development of extremely aggressive phenotypes such as neuroendocrine or anaplastic transformation.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- Identify new mechanisms of progression and metastasis that can be targeted therapeutically.
- Preclinically model prostate cancer subtypes to uncover vulnerabilities and novel treatment strategies.
- Characterize new targets and biomarkers associated with the neuroendocrine or dedifferentiated phenotype.
- Contribute to the development of new prostate cancer taxonomies based on the integration of omics, biological, and clinical data.
RESEARCH LINES
- Study the biological, clinical, and therapeutic implications of genomic alterations associated with chromosomal instability and DNA repair deficiencies in prostate cancer.
- Characterize genomic events linked to metastasis and lethality in prostate cancer by combining animal models, human samples, and genetic screening.
- Identify and model new therapeutic targets in advanced, androgen-independent prostate cancer.
- Establish an in vivo preclinical model bank for prostate cancer (xenografts, allografts, syngeneic, and genetically modified models) to study and intervene in metastasis.
- Conduct genomic epidemiology studies to assess the clinical utility of potential taxonomies for localized and advanced prostate cancer.
- Develop clinical trials based on biological hypotheses and biomarkers emerging from the group’s translational projects and collaborations.