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23 January 2025In this interview, the IIS Aragón researcher talks about her work leading the emerging group 'Cancer Heterogeneity and Immunomics' (GIIS110) and what her lines of research are.
Rebeca Sanz Pamplona, PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and current Principal investigator of the 'Cancer Heterogeneity and Immunomics' group (GIIS110), She started in the world of research out of curiosity. Since she was little, she has always liked to understand natural processes and do experiments. Now, she has a degree in Biology with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a Master's degree in Biotechnology, a Master's degree in Bioinformatics and a Postgraduate degree in Biostatistics; she has 20 years of research.
Rebeca Sanz focused on research on the cancer to better understand the underlying molecular and cellular biology of the disease: "Specifically, I use bioinformatics tools and systems biology because it allows me to analyse many variables and many patients at the same time, studying the tumour cell as a “whole”. It allows me to reuse data from some experiments to analyse other variables, or from another perspective, and this allows us to be in contact with scientists from all over the world.”
Rebeca Sanz investigates in the IIS Aragon from 2022 thanks to a competitive grant from the foundation ARAID (Government of Aragon), to hire research staff. The researcher reflects on her arrival at the foundation: “Thanks to the help of other researchers at the centre who encouraged me to apply for the call and also to settle here. In fact, we maintain very fruitful collaborations.”
What lines of research are being worked on in your group?
The group's interest is focused on grasp, at a molecular and cellular level, the progression of cancer from its onset to metastatic spread, always taking into account both tumor heterogeneity and the interaction between malignant cells and the microenvironment where they grow. And in this way, look for useful biomarkers to stratify patients and be able to treat them in a more personalized way. To do this, it mainly uses techniques of immunogenomics, defined as the application of computer tools to the study of the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and the malignant cell.
The group is expert in omics analysis, and is specializing in techniques such as Spatial transcriptomics and single cell sequencing. We have two main lines. In the first, We study metastases, which are responsible for most deaths due to cancer. Specifically, we study the influence of the immune system on the development of different metastases, and the similarities in the microenvironment of metastases that grow in the same organ, but have a different origin. For example, an interesting result derived from this line indicates that NK cells resident in the lungs could be protective against the invasion of cancer cells. And furthermore, they could be used as a treatment.
A new line of research has recently been opened, focused on the analysis of tumor neoantigens.s as potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in pediatric solid tumors, funded by the Association of Parents of Children with Cancer of Aragon (ASPANOA). Neoantigens are defined as antigens that are expressed in the tumor cell and are capable of activating an immune response in the patient. They are generated from the degradation product of tumor proteins. These proteins contain peptide sequences that are different from those of non-tumor proteins. This means that when they are presented on the surface via HLA, the immune system recognizes them as a foreign element and reacts by attacking the tumor cell with T lymphocytes. Their greatest interest lies in the fact that they can be used as cancer therapy, for example, to synthesize vaccines. We have already identified a number of neoantigens in a number of patients using our methodology. Furthermore, when looking for correlations with clinical data, we found that there was a significant difference between the number of neoantigens in patients who survived and those who did not. This seems to indicate that neoantigens play a relevant role in this type of tumor.
What is the main challenge your research group is currently facing?
Being an emerging group, we have several challenges. On the one hand, for all Economic commitment ; since it is necessary to obtain funding both to consolidate staff and to continue advancing with the different lines of research. On the other hand, being a group that manages large volumes of omics data, we need an increasingly high computing infrastructure. Finally, I would like to focus on a problem that is rarely talked about but that I believe affects all research groups, and that is the large amount of time spent on bureaucracy.
Any ongoing projects that you would like to highlight?
The project funded by ASPANOA, which is focused on tpediatric solid tumors. Although it is very premature to talk about a possible translation to the clinic, the Preliminary results are promising (in fact, we received an award at a conference for presenting them).It is an honour for us that an association like ASPANOA has chosen us., and it would be very gratifying to be able to contribute our grain of sand to the fight against cancer, especially by increasing the quality and life expectancy of these children and their families.
What profiles make up your research team?
One of the main characteristics of the group is that it is highly multidisciplinary. Includes profiles experimental and computational, which allows us to cover projects in a comprehensive manner, from analyzing human samples and performing experiments on preclinical models, to performing complex analyses with the data generated, and validating our results with public data. We also cover a range of degrees, from biology, biotechnology, veterinary sciences, pharmacy, biomedical engineering…

Why should companies bet on research, and specifically, on your group?
Well, I think I'm not the most suitable person to answer that question since I don't know the business world. Obviously, I think that Not only companies but also public bodies and society in general should invest in science and research. not only as an element that generates wealth (which it also does) but as knowledge generator (for me, more important). Specifically, our group tries to find Useful biomarkers for managing patients in a more personalized way; and also new therapeutic targetsIf successful, I think it would be very beneficial for companies to market a product that measures this biomarker. In fact, there are many current examples in the field of molecular oncology.
Advice for someone starting out in healthcare research?
I'm not much of a giver of advice, but I think it's important do things right, be honest with your own results and above all choose a research topic that really interests you. motivates. And also, dedicate part of your free time to family, friends and other hobbies.