10/05/2025
New Publication: Our Team Uncovers Molecular Biomarkers of Tumour Response to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy in ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer
Our Breast Cancer Research Group at Biogipuzkoa has recently published a study in Translational Oncology titled:
“Molecular characterisation of the residual disease after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in ER+/HER2- breast cancer uncovers biomarkers of tumour response.”
DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102407
In this multicentre study, we analysed tumour samples from patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET), using the PAM50 gene expression panel and immunohistochemistry. Our findings show that changes in tumour subtype—from luminal A to normal-like—as well as decreases in ROR score and p53 expression, are associated with better response to NET.
This work was led by Joanna I. López-Velazco, Ander Urruticoechea, María M. Caffarel, Sara Manzano, and collaborators from various institutions. The results highlight promising biomarkers that could help personalise treatment and support wider use of NET in clinical practice.
Read the full notice from our institute here:
15/04/2025
Joanna López’s Thesis This tuesday was a truly special one for our lab, as our predoctoral researcher Joanna López succesfully defender her PhD thesis entitled “Uncovering Biomarkers of Response to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer”. Her work has been co-directed by Dr. María M. Caffarel and Dr. Ander Urruticoechea. We are thrilled to now call her Dr. Joanna López!
Congratulations on your excellent defense and all the dedication you’ve shown throughout these years. Your hard work has been inspiring, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes you next. After the defense, we had a wonderful time celebrating this important milestone together!
02/04/2025
Lab retreat 2025 Last week, we had a fantastic lab retreat filled with greast science and lots of fun. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead together!
01/04/2025
These past few days, the 2nd Symposium of Spanish-speaking Students in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology took place, where our bioinformatician Uxue Alvarez gave a short talk entitled “Perfil de citoquinas en cáncer de mama: Impacto en el microambiente tumoral y biomarcadores potenciales”. Throughout the symposium, she also had the opportunity to learn from various talks and the poster session.
We’re especially proud to congratulate her for winning the award for Best Short Talk—well done, Uxue!
05/12/2024
Last thursday, our lab member Dr. Irati Garmendia presented on the ONKOFRAIL clinical trial at the V. Jornada de Envejecimiento held at HRI Biogipuzkoa. As every year, researchers at HRI Biogipuzkoa showcased the results of both ongoing and completed projects in the field of aging research.
29/11/2024
Today, predoctoral researcher Paloma Petit has presented her thesis project at the weekly Friday seminar of HRI Biogipuzkoa. Her project, co-directed by Dr. María M. Caffarel and Dr. Irati Garmendia, focuses on targeting IL1RAP as a new therapeutic strategy for advanced triple negative breast cancer.
18/11/2024
Welcome Adrián! This monday, Adrián joined our lab as a predoctoral researcher in Dr. Irati Garmendia’s Lung Cancer Project.
17/11/2024
X. Marcha Solidaria Katxalin Thank you to Asociación Katxalin for inviting us once again to take part in their Marcha Solidaria and for your incredible support of breast cancer research. This event not only raises awareness about the disease but also highlights the importance of continuing research to improve treatments.
12-15/11/2024
19th ASEICA INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS It’s well-known that every lab team has its favorite congress they never miss, and for us, it’s the ASEICA Congress, without a doubt. This week, all our lab members attended the ASEICA Congress in Zaragoza.
On Tuesday, we participated in the ASEICA Joven Retreat, where Dr. Sara Manzano, Dr. Peio Azcoaga, and Joanna López served as chairs. We had the opportunity to learn about the incredible work being done by various research groups in the field of cancer research. In the evening, we had a great time at the networking session, where Paloma Petit and Dr. Sara Manzano spoke about the work being carried out by the ASEICA Predoc and ASEICA Postdoc communities, respectively.
During the following days, we immersed ourselves in outstanding science presented by amazing speakers and had the chance to discuss the posters our lab members brought with other scientists.
Finally, we want to congratulate Dr. Sara Manzano on starting an exciting new challenge as part of the Junta Directiva of ASEICA. Good luck!
19/10/2024
Granitos de harina solidarios 2024 Coinciding with World Breast Cancer Day, last Saturday, Aramendia Pastelería hosted the event Granitos de Harina Solidarios 2024, to which we were invited.
The solidarity event, filled with great music, humor, and delicious gastronomy, was organized in collaboration with Katxalin, the Gipuzkoa Association supporting women affected by breast and/or gynecological cancer. We had a wonderful time enjoying the performance of comedian Óscar Terol and the music of Nøgen, Esti Markez, and Amateur. The proceeds from this event will be entirely dedicated to breast cancer research.
In addition, we learned more about the important work carried out by the organizing entities through Iagoba Ezama, manager of Aramendia Pastelería, and Edurne Iruin from the Asociación Katxalin. Notably, Dr. Sara Manzano, postdoctoral researcher from our group, delivered an excellent talk about the work our lab is doing in breast cancer research. Her presentation was met with great enthusiasm and received many compliments from the attendees, who appreciated both the depth of her knowledge and the clarity of her explanations
We are deeply grateful for the continued collaboration with Aramendia Pastelería and Asociación Katxalin. Thank you!
30/09/2024
Peio Azcoaga’s Thesis This Monday was not an ordinary one; it was a very special day as our lab’s predoctoral researcher, Peio Azcoaga, defended his thesis entitled “Oncostatin M Signaling Orchestrates Immune Remodeling and Metabolism within the Breast Tumor Microenvironment” co-directed by Dr. María M. Caffarel and Dr. Jesús María Ruiz-Cabello. Now we can officially call him Dr. Peio Azcoaga!
Congratulations on the outstanding work you’ve done over these years and for an excellent thesis defense! We are all excited to see the amazing science you will achieve in the future. After the defense, we had a fantastic time celebrating together.
Caffarel Lab 