At an event held on February 26th at the MGS Auditorium in Barcelona, ​​the Spanish Association Against Cancer announced the awarding of its research grants for the 2025 call in the Barcelona area. Of the 60 grants awarded, 7 were granted to the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in recognition of its work in improving the understanding and treatment of blood cancers.

Once again, the centre has received accreditation as a Centre of Excellence from the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, a recognition that strengthens its institutional management and the development of its strategic lines in the fight against blood cancers.

Regarding direct research grants, the Josep Carreras Institute has received a total of six, three of them for high-impact collaborative projects:

Overcoming the resistance of multiple myeloma

Dr. Sònia Guil will seek to identify and block molecules that help myeloma cells resist stress and extend their survival during therapy. This project aims to improve therapeutic efficiency and delay the onset of relapses.

Regulating B lymphocytes in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Dr. Alejandro Vaquero will analyse the functional relationship between SIRT7 and PAX5 proteins in the metabolic control of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, with the goal of improving its treatment and reducing relapses.

The Role of Blood Vessels in Tumor Development

Dr. Mariona Graupera will investigate how endothelial cells, present in blood vessels, create the conditions for tumour development in the initial phase. This research will allow for the development of strategies targeting the early stages of cancer.

In addition, two postdoctoral researchers at the centre have received funding in the AECC Talent 2025 category. Dr. Reid Blanchett, a researcher in the epigenetics and immune disease laboratory, will develop new knowledge on the role of the X chromosome in childhood leukemias, and Dr. Sandra Camargo, from the endothelial biology and microenvironment laboratory, will explore the role of blood vessels in tumour formation.

Thanks to the support of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute is gaining momentum in its strategic commitment to finding new ways to diagnose and treat blood cancers, creating new knowledge and new technological tools that will allow for the complete cure of blood cancers in the future.