Translational Immunomics in Hematological Neoplasms
"We are investigating how haematological cancer develops and how the immune system responds, in order to anticipate the disease and make progress towards a cure."
DR. BRUNO PAIVA RESEARCHER. TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOMICS IN HEMATOLOGICAL NEOPLASMS RESEARCH GROUP
Multiple myeloma develops over a period of years from precursor stages in which tumour and immunological abnormalities are already present. Understanding why some patients’ disease progresses whilst others remain stable is essential for preventing the disease. In active myeloma, relapses, infections and resistance to new immunotherapies continue to limit survival and quality of life.
At the Translational Immunomics in Haematological Neoplasms group at CIMA and the University of Navarra Clinic, we investigate the joint evolution of the tumour, the immune system and its microenvironment. We integrate advanced cytometry, single-cell molecular analysis and computational biology with longitudinal patient follow-up and clinical trials. This approach enables us to simultaneously study tumour burden, immune health and response to treatment. We are extending this knowledge to other monoclonal gammopathies and myeloid neoplasms.
We have demonstrated the prognostic value of circulating tumour cells, identified biomarkers of infection risk and contributed to the development of next-generation cytometry for detecting residual disease. Our work has helped to update international diagnostic and response criteria and to generate the evidence supporting the FDA’s use of residual disease as an early criterion for the accelerated approval of myeloma treatments. The NoMoreMGUS, iMMunocell and PETHEMA/GEM studies support the clinical validation of these advances.
Dr. Bruno Paiva
GROUP LEADER
| +34 948 194 700 | |
| bpaiva@unav.es | |
| Research profile |
Oncology research integrated in the
Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Objectives of the Research Group
in Translational Immunomics in Hematological Neoplasms
Our aim is to translate these findings into clinical decisions that improve patients’ lives.
To develop minimally invasive biomarkers that predict disease progression, infections and resistance.
To improve the detection and characterisation of residual disease.
To identify opportunities for prevention and early intervention.
To define the biological basis of durable response and functional cure following immunotherapy.
A journey that bridges discovery and clinical practice
Our contributions to the study of plasmacytoma, residual disease and drug development have led to new diagnostic and response criteria, the early assessment of therapeutic efficacy, and the first Phase I trial in humans. This impact stems from a programme that integrates tumour progression with immune health and transforms complex biological information into tools applicable to patients. Longitudinal cohorts and clinical collaborations enable us to build on our discoveries and assess their utility. We are driven by the desire to see this knowledge translate into fewer complications, better treatments and opportunities for prevention and cure.
Lines of research
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
We are studying the co-evolution of the tumour and the immune system in the precursor stages of myeloma to understand why some gammopathy cases remain stable whilst others progress or are accompanied by complications. NoMoreMGUS and iMMunocell integrate clinical monitoring with tumour, immunological and molecular biomarkers.
Objectives: To develop dynamic models of the risk of transformation and infection, and to identify candidates for prevention and early intervention.
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
We develop cytometric methods to quantify circulating tumour cells and residual disease in bone marrow and blood. NGF and BloodFlow enable tumour burden to be monitored with high sensitivity; the characterisation of persistent and resistant clones links the depth of response to the mechanisms of relapse.
Objectives: To improve the sensitivity and accessibility of monitoring and to generate evidence to tailor treatment to the course of the disease.
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
We investigate how ageing, tumours and therapies alter the composition and function of the immune system. We study the mechanisms of immunodeficiency, infection risk and variability in response to vaccination and immunotherapy, integrating clinical data with immunological and multi-omic profiles.
Objectives: To develop immunological health metrics and biomarkers of infection, disease progression and resistance that can guide preventive and therapeutic strategies.
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
We are investigating the determinants of primary resistance, non-sustained response and durable remission following CAR-T therapy. MyCAR-CURE integrates residual disease, monoclonal protein, imaging and immune recovery, alongside the study of toxicity and clonal haematopoiesis, to evaluate an operational definition of a functional cure.
Objectives: To define clinical and biological profiles of response and safety, and to assess their stability during long-term follow-up.
PI and coordination: Bruno Paiva
Colaboración con José Ángel Martínez-Climent, Felipe Prósper y sus equipos.
We are investigating the relationships between clonal haematopoiesis, inflammation, immunity and the progression of myeloma. MyCHIP aims to investigate whether alterations such as those in DNMT3A foster an environment conducive to disease progression and bone damage, using human cohorts and experimental models.
Objectives: To distinguish between associations and causal mechanisms, and to evaluate interventions capable of modifying these mechanisms prior to the onset of symptomatic disease.
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
We extend immunophenotypic and molecular characterisation to solitary plasmacytoma, light-chain amyloidosis, IgM gammopathies and Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia. We investigate the identity of tumour cells and the relationship between clonal burden, organ damage and response.
Objectives: To improve differential diagnosis, early detection and risk stratification using clinically applicable biomarkers.
PI and Co-ordinator: Bruno Paiva
Clinical collaboration with PETHEMA and Pau Montesinos.
We integrate single-cell protein and RNA analysis to distinguish normal progenitor cells from leukaemic cells and to identify markers for flow cytometry. The LMA-FLOW programme and the PI23/01331 project are investigating new panels and monitoring methods in bone marrow and peripheral blood.
Objectives: To improve the detection of residual disease in acute myeloid leukaemia and to develop less invasive methods for leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Meet the research team
Scientific activity of the Translational Immunomics in
Hematological Neoplasms a Research Group
Latest scientific publications
- MRD dynamics predicts progression and reveals a vulnerable state for immunotherapy interception in multiple myeloma Jul 24, 2026 | Magazine: Blood
- Stromal and endothelial transcriptional changes during progression from MGUS to myeloma and after treatment response Jun 23, 2026 | Magazine: Nature Communications
- Genetically driven immune microenvironment states associate with therapeutic responses in MYD88 mutant lymphomas Apr 20, 2026 | Magazine: Molecular Cancer
- Genetic evidence against clonotypic B-lymphocytes as reservoir of plasma-cell cancers Mar 11, 2026 | Magazine: Blood Cancer Discovery
Uniendo fenotipo y genotipo molecular al pronóstico en Amiloidosis Sistémica Primaria: Un registro Europeo y red de muestras para optimizar el diagnóstico y el manejo de la Amiloidosis Sistémica Primaria
Single-cell immunophenotypic and transcriptomic profiling for minimally-invasive detection of early multiple myeloma
Minimally-Invasive methods for differential diagnosis between monoclonl gammopathies with and without Clinical Significance
The group’s research is carried out in collaboration with the teams led by José Ángel Martínez-Climent on experimental models; Felipe Prósper on haematopoiesis and epigenetics; and Mikel Hernaez on computational biology. Paula Rodríguez-Otero and other haematologists provide clinical support. PETHEMA/GEM, iMMunocell, EUREKA and ELMUMY extend this work to national and European networks.