Dolores Isla Casado: “Getting involved in health research is always worthwhile”

The IIS Aragón researcher talks in this interview about her work leading the 'Medical Oncology Hospital Clínico Lozano Blesa' group (GIIS025) and the profiles that make it up

Maria Dolores Isla Casado, graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Zaragoza, has 33 years dedicating his career to research. Specialized in Medical Oncology, she has held the position of Head of Medical Oncology Service at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza. She is also the president of the Association for Women's Lung Cancer Research (Icapem).

'Since the beginning of my professional career as a medical oncologist, I have always been convinced that it was essential to get involved, not being able to separate research from care. Trying to contribute to advancing the improvement of the prognosis of our patients is a main objective for me.

It has been part of the Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) since its inception, becoming the group's IP. 'Medical Oncology Lozano Blesa Clinical Hospital' (GIIS025) after reaching the position of Head of the Medical Oncology Service, acquiring greater responsibility.

'From the beginning, I have tried to contribute my grain of sand to health research in Aragon'

What lines of research are being worked on in your group?

We work fundamentally 4 lines of research:

– Hereditary cancer and genetic determination.

– Characterization of predictive biomarkers in different tumors.

– Psycho-oncology and research.

– Clinical research in cancer: evaluation of new drugs and strategies.

What is the main challenge your research group is currently facing?

Oncology is an area of ​​research that I would say is “infinite”, very dynamic and attractive, so there is no shortage of possible lines of work, but as clinicians, which most of us are, we find ourselves with a Very strong pressure on care that leaves us less time to get more involved in researchWe have recently managed to benefit from the formula of some mixed positions, which will surely be very fruitful.

Any ongoing projects that you would like to highlight?

Above all, I highlight the important work we are doing in the field of hereditary cancer, for many years, with several particularly interesting projects underway, such as reproductive genetic counselling or monitoring of high-risk, low-prevalence syndromes.

What profiles make up your research team?

We are fundamentally Medical oncologists with hospital care activity in cancer patients, and from which we develop our involvement in research. Thus, a truly gratifying situation of “fusion” of care with research is produced, and in many cases we can see the positive results of the research effort in patients.

But we also collaborate with other professionals related to the areas of knowledge that we address in the research, achieving a well-coordinated interdisciplinary work: biologists, immunologists, pathologists…

Why should companies bet on research, and specifically, on your group?

We believe that we propose attractive lines of research with clinical utility, in addition to our Very active participation in multiple clinical trials at the highest scientific level being a reference center for certain types of tumor, with the possibility of benefiting a very broad population of cancer patients with new drugs and strategies.

Advice for someone starting out in healthcare research?

I am convinced that getting involved in health research is always worthwhile, it has many advantages, it greatly enriches your professional and personal life, it greatly broadens your horizons, your vision of the world in general and your role in society. I encourage all healthcare workers to get involved because it is well worth it..