Cancer Biochemistry

The biochemistry of cancer research team is very experienced in researching the chemistry of proteins, enzymology, glycobiology, cellular cultures, and molecular biology. In addition the team works in collaboration with prominent national and international research teams. The team is attached to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology section of the Biology Department of the Science Faculty of the University of Girona.

Lines of research

Research is centred in the field of cancer therapy and diagnosis with the aim of developing anti-tumour molecules that act against specific targets in cancerous cells in addition to finding tumour markers that allow the cancer to be diagnosed in the early stages and action to be taken when the actual therapies are at their most effective. These markers could also be used to improve the prognosis and monitoring of the tumour. In addition to this the research is concerned with the study of the enzymes implicated in the processes of adhesion and metastasis, in order to be able to influence their effect.

A. Tumour markers: Glycosiliation anomalous to diverse serum proteins as possible tumour markers. Studies are at present being conducted on neoplasms of the pancreas and prostate, specifically on glycosiliation anomalous to the ribonuclease of the human pancreas and the PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen). These studies could be extended to other glycoproteins (proteomic and glycomic). These are being carried out in collaboration with a research group in digestive diseases; a research group in urology, that of clinical analysis at the Dr Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, and with the Oxford University group of Doctors R. Dwek and P. Rudd.

B. The PCI (Potato Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor) as an anti-tumour agent (cytostatic): studies are being carried out on the anti-tumour effects of the recombinant protease inhibitors. Work is also being done in obtaining more similar and cytotoxic derivitives and combinations with other therapeutic agents are being studied.

This line of research is being carried out in collaboration with the team directed by Dr F.X. Avilés and Dr E Querol of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and by Dr R Colomer of the Catalan Institute of Oncology.

C. Influence of the sialicotransferases in the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer of the pancreas: Studies of the expression of the sialicotransferases responsible for the biosynthesis of the sialico-Lewis and sialico-Lewis A glucoside antigens that are involved in the process of adhesion and metastasis of the tumour cells. A study of the factors that regulate the expression of the sialicotransferases as well as the inhibitors of the biosynthesis of the sialico-Lewis antigens. This line of research is being carried out in collaboration with the group of Dr. de Bolós of IMIM of Barcelona and Dr. Clapés of CSIC of Barcelona.