The Biomedical Research group in Gynecology at VHIR receives a grant from CaixaImpulse

The group of Biomedical Research in Gynecology of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), led by Dr. Antonio Gil, has received one of 20 grants from the 2nd edition of CaixaImpulse, awarded by the Obra Social 'la Caixa'. The project, led by Dr. Eva Colás, is a new molecular tool for diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

The current diagnosis of endometrial cancer is a "tedious and subjective process", as stated by Dr. Colás, since it fails in 22% of the cases to be diagnosed, and in up to 55% to stage the patient's cancer properly. The method is based on histopathological examination of a biopsy obtained by aspiration, and it is performed every year in approximately 2 million women from around the world who have abnormal vaginal bleeding. When the method does not work, t is necessary to do more invasive tests that are associated with complications for the patient and high health costs.

To improve the current system, researchers of the endometrial cancer laboratory of VHIR have designed CEMARK, a new minimally invasive diagnostic system, efficient, accurate, affordable and accessible to any hospital. The basis of this diagnosis lies in the detection of protein biomarkers in samples of uterine fluid, providing both diagnostic information and of the state in which is the tumor. According to Dr. Colás, "CEMARK will impact directly the management of patients with abnormal bleeding, facilitating their diagnosis; and improving the life expectancy of patients with endometrial cancer."

The project has received a financial aid of 50,000 euros, as well as a training facility and the provision of an expert panel of mentors that will help accelerate the transfer of the tool to the market. In this second edition of the program 73 projects were presented that have been evaluated by an expert committee. CaixaImpulse was born from the hand of "la Caixa" and Caixa Capital Risc, as the first state program to transfer research results to society.