Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors
The interaction between scientists and physicians allows the development of new therapeutic strategies for childhood and adult brain tumors by modulating the immune system.
DR. MARTA ALONSO AND DR. ANA PATIÑO
RESEARCHERS IN PEDIATRIC SOLID TUMORS
The Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors Research Group at Cima is focused on developing new strategies for the therapeutic approach to the significant pediatric cancers: central nervous system and bone tumors (osteosarcoma).
High-grade central nervous system tumors are the most frequent malignant solid tumors during the pediatric age. Among them, primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), atypical rhabdoid/teratoid tumors, diffuse tumors of the trunk (DIPG), high-grade glioma (pHGG) and gliomatosis cerebri are a priority for our research group.
In turn, childhood bone sarcomas are a group of high-grade tumors with a great capacity to develop metastasis, very heterogeneous genetically, and which, together with brain tumors, lead to the causes of childhood cancer mortality. The management of these pathologies is suboptimal, and new targeted therapies are required.
Our group includes pediatric oncologists, neuro-oncologists, traumatologists, surgeons, and expert researchers with international prestige. The main objective of our group is the development of new therapeutic strategies for childhood brain tumors and sarcomas, exploiting the immune system by using tumor-specific oncolytic adenoviruses and combining them with other methods that can enhance this effect. We use novel and relevant models of childhood brain tumors both in vitro and in vivo, with the idea of eventually implementing these strategies in the clinic.
In addition, secondary objectives of our laboratory include the search for new markers and the understanding of the underlying biology of these tumors.

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Objectives of the Research Group in
Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors
We cover the study of childhood tumors through a cross-sectional investigation

Characterize the tumor microenvironment

Identify biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to treatment

Develop biological therapeutic tools, with special emphasis on oncolytic viruses
TRANSLATIONAL INNOVATION
Clinical trial with oncolytic viruses in pediatric brain tumors
Our research group participates in the clinical trial DNC-2401, promoted by the company DNAtrix. Preclinical data indicate that the oncolytic virus used in this trial induces a potent anti-tumor immune response in brain tumor models.
Meet the research team












Scientific activity of the Group in
Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors
Latest scientific publications
- Oncolytic DNX-2401 Virus for Pediatric Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Jun 30, 2022 | Magazine: New England of Medicine
- The Different Temozolomide Effects on Tumorigenesis Mechanisms of Pediatric Glioblastoma PBT24 and SF8628 Cell Tumor in CAM Model and on Cells In Vitro Feb 11, 2022 | Magazine: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Delta-24-RGD, an Oncolytic Adenovirus, Increases Survival and Promotes Proinflammatory Immune Landscape Remodeling in Models of AT/RT and CNS-PNET Dec 29, 2020 | Magazine: Clinical Cancer Research
- Somatic and germline analysis of a familial Rothmund-Thomson syndrome in two siblings with osteosarcoma Dec 4, 2020 | Magazine: NPJ Genomic Medicine