Two IIS Aragón projects receive support from AECC

More than 300.000 euros for three cancer projects being developed in Aragon. The association chose Teruel to present its new grants for cancer research.

La Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Aragon held, yesterday Wednesday 12, an event in Dinópolis (Teruel) for the presentation of the Three new AECC 2024 Grants, intended to promote cancer research in the autonomous community. During the event, a total of 305.000 Euros in aid to three researchers: one principal investigator, doctoral student and a University student who participates in the laboratory practice program.

Grants for cancer research in Aragon

• Dr. Mattia Guirardello, Institute of Biocomputing and Complex Systems Physics (BIFI) of the University of Zaragoza – AECC 2024 Research Grant of 200.000 euros.

His project 'Targeting Anomalous Glycosylation: New Approaches for Cancer Treatment' aims develop and test specific inhibitors for glycosyltransferase enzymes. These inhibitors can be used in new treatments targeting abnormal glycosylation to delay or even inhibit the progression of various types of cancer.

Guirardello explained that his goal over the next four years of his contract is to find a new type of drug that inhibits the function of these enzymes and slows the disease.

• Eduardo Aranda, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) – AECC Aragón 2024 Predoctoral Grant endowed with 100.600 euros.

He carried out his predoctoral stay in the research group 'Cancer Heterogeneity and Immunomics' (GIIS110) developing the project "Immunotherapy as a therapeutic opportunity for patients with metastatic cancer." The researcher seeks to understand how some metastatic cells evade the lung's immune system and attempts to find new treatments for these patients, using immunotherapy.

• Sandra Gómez, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) – AECC 2044 Academic Year Laboratory Practice Program Grant endowed with 3.872 euros.

The researcher is a student at San Jorge University and carries out her internship in the group 'Cancer Heterogeneity and Immunomics' (GIIS110) from the IIS Aragón. He carries out his laboratory practices in search of new tumor antigens in children, so that they can be treated with immunotherapy.

AECC's commitment to research

The AECC, with a firm commitment to oncological research, in 2024 allocated a total of 32 millones de euros to the funding of 257 research projects on different types of cancer. Of these, 2.396.732 Euros were allocated to oncological research in Aragon, a region that in 2024 recorded 8.602 new cases of cancer. The Association in Aragon attended in 2024 to 3.215 people through its free services by professionals.

The national president of the AECC, Ramon Reyes, highlighted during his speech at the event the importance of networked research to advance the fight against this disease. These grants are primarily intended to: increase cancer survival to exceed 70% by 2030. And, thus, improve the treatments that patients receive and improve their quality of life.

Source: Heraldo de Aragón, Echo of Teruel y Teruel Diary

Image: From left to right, Sandra Gómez, Mattía Ghirardello and Eduardo Aranda yesterday in Dinópolis, where the AECC awarded research grants. / Teruel Diary