The Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC) has awarded 13 cancer research grants totalling 5.2 million Euros, including two for IIS Biodonostia researchers, Marta Fernández-Mercado and Paula Aldaz.
Paula Aldaz, researcher for the IIS Biodonostia Neuro-Oncology Group, has received funding totalling 75,000 Euros to develop her doctoral thesis “SOX9 function in glioblastoma.” Her aim is to find new molecular targets in treating glioblastoma, one of the most malign brain tumours.
Dr Marta Fernández-Mercado, researcher in the Hemato-Oncology Group at IIS Biodonostia, has been awarded 135,000 Euros to study the usefulness of microRNAs in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, the most frequent type of lymphoma (representing 40% of lymphomas, found in 3 out of every 100,000 people).
Both highlighted the importance of this funding to provide stability to projects aiming to improve quality of life for cancer patients, increasing their chances of getting over this disease.
The award ceremony took place in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in San Sebastián on 17th September 2014 and was presided over by Queen Letizia; the Spanish Minister for Health, Social Services and Equality, Ana Mato; the Basque Government Health Minister, Jon Darpón; the association president, Isabel Oriol and the association president in the Basque Country, Fernando Pesquera, among others.
Fernando Pesquera highlighted the “need to continue research, as this is the only way of finding a possible remedy or solution to cancer.” In this respect, he highlighted the importance of IIS Biodonostia, that “in its short lifespan has managed to become a benchmark Research Centre internationally and the main Research Institute in the Basque Country, thanks to its researchers’ work and enthusiasm.”
In turn, Queen Letizia congratulated the winners and praised the AECC’s work over these last 61 years as they have managed not only to support and advise cancer patients and their families but also promote scientific and research activity in this field.
