Arquivo de Grupos de Investigação

Clinical Oncology Research Group

The Clinical Oncology Research Group (GOC) was created in 2021.
Its main mission is to create a group of scientifically robust and capable elements among different health professionals.
GOC projects seek to answer clinical questions resulting from real needs, by analyzing real-life data, to continuously improve the quality of treatment offered to patients.
Although recent, the GOC team has been expanding, integrating elements that have invested in their academic progression and elements that have completed clinical internships at internationally renowned oncology centers, such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Gustave Roussy.
The multidisciplinary nature of its elements is a differentiating characteristic and promotes stimulating, fruitful and advantageous discussions for scientific research. Its members are committed to the group’s mission.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Ana Espírito Santo, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4840-590X/ DA1B-35B9-E2D4
Consultant Clinical Hematologist
Email: ana.esanto@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM
Senior Researchers

Cláudia Vieira, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5396-9753/ 641E-265C-9730
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Email: claudia.vieira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Magda Andrea Silva Oliveira, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-0653-341X/ E614-C685-6817
Psychologist
Email: magda.oliveira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Maria Deolinda Pereira, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-2367-1299/ 991B-E677-158E
Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist
Email: dpereira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mavilde Rodrigues Arantes da Silva Longarito, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-0297-2247/ 6E17-7D72-53E7
Consultant Neuroradiologist
Email: i11815@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Miguel Henriques Abreu, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-3940-0688/ F61D-1E69-3148
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Email: antonio.m.abreu@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Joaquim Castro Silva, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3934-9950/ B418-68AE-3A6A
Consultant Otorrinolaringologist
Email: joaquim.castro@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Jorge Serafim Sobrado Marinho, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-1222-627X/ 311C-6EF7-EB13
Consultant Otorrinolaringologist
Email: jmarinho@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Guest Researchers

Rita Ribeiro Silva, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID:
Attending Clinical Hematologist @
Email: rita.rbsilva@gmail.com

PhD Students

Daniela Rocha-Santos, MSc (with ETPG)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-1081-5142/ 4617-DBEA-8AE6
Email: daniela.r.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

José Manuel Ferrer Martinez, BSN, MSc; Specialist nurse
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-7909-7938/ DF1B-A0A1-2302
Email: jmmartinez@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Pedro Miguel dos Reis Cruz, MD, MSc Resident in Medical Oncology (with ETPG)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8813-0632/ 0610-621F-B88A
Email: pedro.reis.cruz@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Valéria Delgado Tavares, MSc (with MOVPG)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-3680-7757/ B715-3863-A1DA
Email: valeria.tavares@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Other collaborators

Alina Rosinha, MD, MSc, Attending Medical Oncologist
Ana Alexandra Ferreira, MD, BSc, Consultant Medical Oncologist
Ana Filipa Carneiro, MD, BSc Attending Medical Oncologist
Ana Isabel Vaz Ferreira MD, MSc, Resident in Medical Oncology
Ana Maria Meireles MD, MSc,Resident in Clinical Hematology
Ana Raquel Teixeira MD, MSc, Resident in Medical Oncology
Ana Rita Lopes MD, MSc; Attending Medical Oncologist
Ana Sofia Jardim Patrão MD, MSc; Attending Medical Oncologist
Andreia Guimarães da Cruz, MD, MSc, Attending Medical Oncologist
Cátia Faustino, MD, BSc, Consultant Medical Oncologist
Cláudia Melissa de Paiva Agostinho MD, MSc, Resident in Medical Oncology
Cláudia Sílvia da Rocha Moreira, MD, BSc, Attending Clinical Hematologist
Dânia Sofia Marques Santos, MD, MSc Consultant Medical Oncologist
Dulcineia José Nunes de Alves Pereira, MD, BSc Attending Hemato-oncologist
Hugo André do Nascimento Ferreira, MD, MSc; Attending Nefrologist
Inês Baptista Freitas, MD, MSc, Resident in Medical Oncology
Joana Savva Bordalo e Sa, MD, MSc Consultant Medical Oncologist
João Pedro Gouveia da Fonseca, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
José Brito da Silva, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
Maria Cândida Silva, MD, MSc; Attending General and Family Medicine
Maria Gabriela Martins, MD, BSc; Consultant Medical Oncologist
Maria Isabel Vilas-Boas, MD, MSc; Attending Medical Oncologist
Maria Joaquina Maurício, MD, MSc; Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist
Maria Cassiano Neves, MD, BSc; Consultant Medical Oncologist
Marta Soares, MD, BSc, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist
Marta Isabel Ribeiro Ferreira, MD, MSc; Consultant Medical Oncologist
Michael Sapateiro Luís, MD, MSc; Consultant Medical Oncologist
Nuno Duarte Gonçalves, MD, BSc; Senior Consult Clinical Patologist
Olga Dulce Sousa de Meneses, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
Paula Cristina da Silva Ferreira, MD, BSc; Consultant Medical Oncologist
Rita Amorim e Costa, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
Rute Fernandes, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
Sara Cristina Neves de Carvalho, MD, MSc; Resident in Medical Oncology
Sara Marina Carneiro Pinto Coelho, MD, MSc Attending Medical Oncologist
Susana Sousa Almeida, MD, MSc; Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
Vítor Costa, MD, BSc Attending Pediatrician

Aims

The main objective of the GOC is to establish bridges between clinical practice and translational research, in order to allow patients access to more efficient and innovative treatments.
The GOC encourages clinical studies of research initiative and promotes collaborative efforts both internally, with other groups at the Research Center, but also externally through partnerships with national and international organizations.
A cornerstone of the GOC is encouraging the continuous training of health professionals, with a focus on improving the quality of care provided to cancer patients.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

Epidemiological characterization of the population of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated at the Porto IPO – Portuguese Association Against Leukemia, Portuguese Society of Hematology and Novartis; 15 000 € (2023); Dr. Ana Meireles (PI)

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) was revolutionary in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The focus changed from delaying the progression of the disease to more advanced stages, to obtaining a survival similar to the general population, achieving a profound molecular response and discontinuing therapy while maintaining remission. Furthermore, it is increasingly important to consider the effects of TKIs on patients’ quality of life and patient-reported outcomes in the therapeutic approach. There are several studies on responses and adverse effects in patients with CML. However, the characterization of these patients in Portugal is not yet known. This project’s main objective is to describe the population of patients with CML treated at IPOP and, in parallel, to describe adverse effects of TKIs documented in these patients and which patients are candidates for TKI suspension and whether there was a need to resume TKIs.

FAROL – Implementation of a financing model based on the measurement of clinical and non-clinical outcomes and integrated disease management in lung cancer at IPO Porto; (2018-2023); Dr. Marta Soares (PI)

The FAROL pilot project, focusing on Health Results and Integrated Disease Management, consists of developing a financing model focused on measuring results with incentives associated with quality.

CHIP-AML22 – Improved diagnostics and survival for all children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia treated within the NOPHO-DB- SHIP consortium; a cross-European collaboration;193 481,68€ (2022-2025); Dr. Vítor Costa (PI @ IPO Porto)

The CHIP-AML22 project seeks to implement new diagnostic techniques for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) to improve the treatment of patients with these diseases. This consortium seeks to:

– Perform the genetic profile of AML cells to better stratify the risk group of patients.

-WGS and RNA seq analysis to incorporate and improve patient treatment;

– The implementation and evaluation of the response to treatment of both methods during and after treatment, across the consortium.

HENKO NET – Innovation and Digital Technologies for Social and Health Palliative Care at home; 157 886,96€ (2024-2026); Dr. Maria Paula Silva (PI @ IPO Porto)

In several European countries such as Spain, France and Portugal, only a portion of people in need of palliative care (PC) actually receive it.

However, PC are essential in controlling symptoms, providing relief, and respecting people’s dignity and as such are an ethical obligation. The significant number of patients needing PC would like to receive them at home, which constitutes an increase in well-being.

HENKO means in Japanese a profound and transformative change. Thus, this project seeks to establish a community of knowledge to strengthen CP systems and lead to organizational change. HENKO NET aims to promote innovation and the adoption of innovative digital technologies so that continuous care is possible at patients’ homes and in rural areas.

The partners in this project will seek a joint strategy to promote innovative advanced training and exchange of best practices in new care models and the adoption of effective digital technologies among healthcare professionals.

The most innovative result expected from this project will be the development of the HENKO platform based on artificial intelligence for the early detection of the need for CP and the anticipation of unwanted events (medical or social). This is expected to significantly improve the organization of care with more effective monitoring at home and a reduction in hospitalizations.

Patients, families and professionals will be actively involved in this development and will be piloted with 100 patients to determine its effectiveness and efficiency. Cooperation between beneficiaries from the three countries (SP, FR and PT) is essential, since innovation in this area is very scarce, so expanding the work scenario at a transnational level will provide sufficient knowledge to develop solutions.

Selected publications (up to five)

Almeida, S. N., Elliott, R., Silva, E. R., & Sales, C. M. D. (2019). Fear of cancer recurrence: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis of patients’ experiences. Clinical psychology review, 68, 13–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.12.001
Moreira, I., Ferreira, M., Garcia, S., Novais, P., Gama, J., Ferro, B., Leite-Silva, P., Frutuoso, C., Pires, M., Barbosa, A., Pinto, C., Teixeira, M. R., Pereira, D., & Bartosch, C. (2023). Practical lessons learned from real-world implementation of the molecular classification for endometrial carcinoma. Gynecologic oncology, 176, 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.07.005
Mazza, M., Piperis, M., Aasaithambi, S., Chauhan, J., Sagkriotis, A., & Vieira, C. (2022). Social Media Listening to Understand the Lived Experience of Individuals in Europe With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Search and Content Analysis Study. Frontiers in oncology, 12, 863641. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.863641
Henriques-Abreu, M., & Serrano, C. (2021). Avapritinib in unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor with PDGFRA exon 18 mutation: safety and efficacy. Expert review of anticancer therapy, 21(10), 1081–1088. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737140.2021.1963235

Precancerous Lesions & Early Cancer Management Group

The PRECAM group represents a unique network in the field of clinical and translational research in Early Cancer, with a greater focus on Gastrointestinal Oncology, bringing together researchers from different leading cancer institutions, such as the IPO of Porto, IPO of Coimbra and the University Hospital Centre of Porto.

This multidisciplinary team focuses on the main mission of creating new knowledge and evaluating new and disruptive technologies in a comprehensive and integrative vision, to improve the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with precursor lesions and early cancer, through the personalization of health care.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Mário Dinis Ribeiro, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0121-6850/ 731E-7010-177F
Senior Consultant
Director of the Medicine Department IPOPorto
Sub-coordinator TL2 – Cancer/ CI-IPOP@RISE
Invited Full Professor MEDCIDS/ FMUP
Email: mario.ribeiro@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM
Senior Investigators

Ana Carina Pereira, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4302-2501 / 3515-2BE2-B60D
Assistant Researcher
Email: ana.martins.pereira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Filipa Fontes, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9246-589X / 5F10-FB9E-C805
Assistant Researcher
Email: filipa.fontes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Miguel Areia, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9787-8175 / 3516-7AAD-D948
Consultant, Gastroenterology IPOC
Co-Editor GE Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology
Editorial Team Member of Endoscopy
E-mail: miguel.areia75@gmail.com

Pedro Pimentel Nunes, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0002-7308-3295 / 0616-5C59-DC3B
Consultant, Gastroenterology Unilabs
Assistant Professor FMUP
E-mail: pedronunesml@gmail.com

Ricardo Marcos Pinto, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9695-8261 / 791D-EF1B-B4C7
Consultant, Gastroenterology CHUSA
Assistant Professor ICBAS
E-mail: ricardomarcospinto@sapo.pt

Junior Researchers

Ana Paula Santos, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0002-8896-305X / BC1E-DE39-17DF
E-mail: anapaulasantos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Andreia Albuquerque, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5258-2987 / DD1A-51B5-316E
E-mail: a.albuquerque.dias@gmail.com

Diogo Libânio, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0003-2691-7522 / 1C13-7D9E-A4B5
E-mail: diogo.monteiro@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ricardo Kuttner-Magalhães, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0002-8522-5756 / F31A-B091-3D92
E-mail: rkuttner@gmail.com

PhD Students

Catarina Lopes, MSc
ORCID/Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0176-286X / 6719-02C2-856E
E-mail: catarina.p.lopes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Research Assistant

Tatiana Cruz Almeida, MSc
ORCID / Ciência ID: 0000-0002-9444-8257 / CD18-88C4-CE90
E-mail: tatiana.almeida@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Other collaborators:

Catarina Brandão, MD, MSc
Head of the Gastroenterology Department IPOP
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0009-0005-4718-9693 / 7D14-540E-A6BC

Inês Marques de Sá, MD
Attending Gastroenterologist IPOP
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8835-7183 / F113-E6A1-43FD

Jéssica Chaves, MD
Resident of Gastroenterology IPOP
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0009-0009-2734-4755 / 6A17-89D0-34C7

Raquel Ortigão, MD
Attending Gastroenterologist IPOP
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: / CD1F-EABB-DC3B

AIMS

The core aims of our group focus on the (1) non-invasive diagnosis of pre and early cancer (eg. liquid biopsies; big data); (2) optimization of minimal invasive diagnosis (eg, endoscopy & quality of endoscopy) of pre and early cancer (eg, AI in endoscopy); and comprehensive clinical and services management of pre and early lesions, (eg, development of clinical decision rules, development of interventions and cost-effectiveness studies). Furthermore, we also purpose to provide a common approach /platform to other researchers & cancers (inside CI-IPOP & IPOP and outside)

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

AIDA – An Artificially Intelligent Diagnostic Assistant for gastric inflammation; Horizon Europe; 101095359; 6 334 803,75€ (2023-2026); Mário Dinis-Ribeiro (PI@IPOP and WP leader)

Most cases of gastric cancer (GC) are detected at a late stage, when patients have a median life expectancy of about a year. Diagnosing people at risk of developing GC at the pre-symptomatic stage, typically chronic gastric inflammation, could significantly improve the outlook.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help clinicians make sense of their own data by automating much of the treatment and analysis, which require manual work and years of experience. But it can do more: it can bring together available data from various sources into a vast data lake and cross-correlate the data to derive a ‘risk score’ for gastric cancer and shed light on the mechanisms of its evolution.

Aida aims to do just that. It helps researchers understand the mechanisms that trigger gastric oncogenesis, helps clinicians diagnose precancerous inflammation at the earliest possible stage, suggests personalised therapeutic strategies for treatment and follow-up, and makes personalised recommendations for monitoring patient health status, thus contributing to gastric cancer prevention.

This places Aida squarely on Europe’s agenda of ‘Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society’. Aida unites some of Europe’s leading authorities in the field of gastric inflammation, gastric cancer, leading AI and machine learning experts, experts on data governance and privacy, representatives of the public administration and patient advocates. Aida also has strong ties with the industry.

After the project, the results will live on in a foundation that acts as a transnational focal point for chronic gastric inflammation — and GC in general. We hope that the solid, inclusive design principles of Aida, its societal relevance and its durability will spawn a vigorous ecosystem around chronic gastric inflammation, its understanding and its treatment. And we hope that it will inspire other data collaboratives in health — for other chronic inflammations, other forms of cancer or other ailments altogether.

TOGAS – TOwards GAstric cancer Screening implementation in the European countries; EU4H; 101101252; 11 337 063,81€ (2023-2026); Mário Dinis-Ribeiro (PI@IPOP and WP leader)

No effective screening modality to prevent gastric cancer is available in Europe. Elimination of H.pylori bacteria is expected to decrease the mortality by 40%; another approach is early is detection of precancerous lesions for surveillance.

The general objective of TOGAS is to provide the missing evidence-based knowledge to be further transferred to design plan and implement appropriate gastric cancer prevention across the EU. The results from this project will aide policy makers in incorporating gastric cancer screening into their healthcare priorities while balancing its effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability with long-term potential adverse effects.

TOGAS has 3 specific objectives: 1) Assessment of state of play as well as the needs of MSs and target populations in gastric cancer prevention, including information on ‘opportunistic’ screening initiatives organised in public and private setting. 2) Assessment of the appropriateness of various gastric cancer-screening modalities for the use in the EU. 3) Assuring the sustainability of the results by an effective dissemination strategy and coordination of the methodologywith the approaches used within the EU, including with the European Guidelines and Quality Assurance Schemes.

TOGAS will involve three pilot studies, each designed to address specific aspects of gastric cancer screening and early detection. Cost effectiveness modelling and addressing medical ethics aspects will be an important integral part of the project.

To disseminate widely project results TOGAS will organize three highly visible conferences inviting the key stakeholders and MS representatives as well as a high-level conference together with other cancer screening projects.

The TOGAS consortium unites 18 partners and 3 associated partners representing higher educational institutions, research structures, clinics and wider CSO from 14 member states.

ONCOSCREEN – A European “shield” against colorectal cancer based on novel, more precise and affordable risk-based screening methods and viable policy pathways; HORIZON; 101097036; 12 972 076,25€ (2023-2026); Mário Dinis-Ribeiro (PI@IPOP)

A multilevel campaign to boost colorectal cancer screening.

Population-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended in the EU. Accounting for 12.4 % of all cancer deaths, only one in seven EU citizens participate in screening programmes. The EU-funded ONCOSCREEN project aims to reverse this trend by promoting accurate, non-invasive, cost-effective screening tests based on new technologies and an increased awareness on the disease. Personalised approaches for screening are needed to consider genetic and other socioeconomic variables and environmental stressors. With this in mind, the project will develop a risk-based, population-level stratification methodology for CRC to account for genetic prevalence, socioeconomic status and other factors. Bringing together a 38-partner consortium, the project is in line with Horizon Europe’s Cancer Mission.

BioFaeC – Novel faecal biomarkers for early detection of precancerous lesions and Cancer: Improving the current model for colorectal cancer screening; FCT; 2022.09051.PTDC; 49 909€ (2023-2024); Mário Dinis-Ribeiro (PI) and Luís Lima (Co-PI@GPTE)

One of the biggest challenges in early cancer diagnosis and prognosis is the lack of reliable biomarkers to accurately identify patients at an increased risk of malignant progression. The development of an accessible non-invasive screening method to detect a panel of biomarkers that accurately identify adenomas at risk of malignant progression will greatly advance the early detection of CRC capacity over currently approved screening approaches. Although this is a hot topic, most works often disregard the detection of advanced adenomas, only focusing on CRC, precluding the diagnosis at earlier stages of disease. Hence, BioFaeC aims to identify a reliable panel of biomarkers to improve the accuracy of CRC detection and validate their feasibility as a non-invasive screening tool.

BioFaeC is an exploratory project, granted in the 2022 FCT Call for R&D Projects in All Scientific Domains and stems from the IPOP and i3s research consortium (P.CCC Raquel Seruca). It officially started in February of 2023 and will run for 18 months. At IPOP and in a collaborative effort, this innovative project is under development at the PRECAM and Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Groups.

CAGED – Computer Assisted Gastric Cancer Diagnosis; FCT; PTDC/EEI-EEE/5557/2020; 249.460,00€ (2021-2024); Miguel Coimbra (INESC TEC) & Mário Dinis-Ribeiro

Gastric cancer is the third deadliest worldwide and minimally invasive screening and gastrointestinal endoscopy play a primary role for early diagnosis, crucial for improving survival rates. However, due to technical and cognitive factors, the probability of a false diagnosis caused by human error is possible.

Thus, the main goal of this study is to develop computer vision-based technologies to automatically analyze videos and images obtained through non-invasive gastrointestinal endoscopies.

Artificial Intelligence, and more specifically Computer Vision, has the potential to mitigate the limitations that currently exist, by providing automated endoscopy assessment tools that can not only support physicians in the detection and characterization of gastric cancer lesions, but can also monitor the quality of the endoscopy itself.

Publications

Martins ML, Pedroso M, Libanio D, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Coimbra M, Renna F. Diagnostic Performance of Deep Learning Models for Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Detection in Narrow-band Images. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2023 Jul;2023:1-4. doi: 10.1109/EMBC40787.2023.10340055.

Lima G, Coimbra M, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Libanio D, Renna F. Analysis of classification tradeoff in deep learning for gastric cancer detection. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2022;2022:2177-2180. doi: 10.1109/EMBC48229.2022.9871040.

Lopes I, Silva A, Coimbra M, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Libanio D, Renna F. Supervised and semi-supervised training of deep convolutional neural networks for gastric landmark detection. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2022;2022:2025-2028. doi: 10.1109/EMBC48229.2022.9870992

Renna F, Martins M, Neto A, Cunha A, Libânio D, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Coimbra M. Artificial Intelligence for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Roadmap from Technology Development to Clinical Practice. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(5):1278. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12051278

IMAGE – Individualized Gastric Adenocarcinoma Early Diagnosis and Improved Patients’ Survival: From Liquid Biopsies to a Comprehensive Management Approach; NORTE2020; NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000050; 601.320,91€ (2021 – 2023); Mário Dinis-Ribeiro

The IMAGE project aims at uncovering novel cancer biomarkers that can be readily detected by non-invasive methodologies, allowing an early diagnosis of gastric cancer a significant societal problem in Portugal. Together with other patients’ information, the final diagnostic tool tackles the disease in its early development, resulting in enhancing patient’s survival and quality of life (QoL) through less aggressive and invasive therapeutic procedures (see Visual Abstract). Furthermore, it will reduce the health system’s economic burden and potentially the disparities, by empowering citizen, adding information to endoscopy and individualizing management.

The project is structured in three specific lines:

in RL1, transcriptomic studies will be performed to determine a panel of biomarkers in saliva to non-invasively allow gastric cancer screening and monitoring;
in RL2, the focus is the concept of functional endoscopy, i.e., the purely morphological/imagiological concept of endoscopy will be challenged by adding the information from biomarkers in the gastric mucus (microbiota);
and in RL3, a comprehensive clinical decision rule will be developed by integrating a priori data (clinical, endoscopic and molecular) and with this tailored screening to gastric cancer.

This consortium and unique project will promote further gains in this area of research, contributing to answer to a societal responsibility towards a relevant health problem, especially in the North of Portugal. We hypothesize that, all together, our findings will clearly improve the knowledge and technologies available for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and patients’ surveillance and, due to a clear impact in health-care resources and patients’ burden, will potentially decrease disparities in the access to care by providing the best care to those in need – the final aim for clinical and translational research.

Publications

Lopes C, Almeida TC, Pimentel-Nunes P, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Pereira C. Linking dysbiosis to precancerous stomach through inflammation: Deeper than and beyond imaging. Front Immunol. 2023;14:1134785. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1134785

Lopes C, Chaves J, Ortigão R, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Pereira C. Gastric cancer detection by non-blood-based liquid biopsies: A systematic review looking into the last decade of research. United European Gastroenterol J. 2023;11(1):114-130. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.12328

Selected Publications

Rei A, et al. Metachronous lesions after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: First assessment of the FAMISH predicting score. Endoscopy. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1055/a-2089-6849
Arribas J, et al. Standalone performance of artificial intelligence for upper GI neoplasia: a meta-analysis. Gut 2020. doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321922
Libânio D, et al. Prospective comparative study of endoscopic submucosal dissection and gastrectomy for early neoplastic lesions including patients’ perspectives. Endoscopy 2019;51(1):30-39. doi.org/10.1055/a-0628-6601
Areia M, et al. Endoscopic screening for gastric cancer: A cost-utility analysis for countries with an intermediate gastric cancer risk. United European Gastroenterol J 2018;6(2):192-202. doi.org/10.1177/2050640617722902
Hess T, et al. Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of gastric cancer. EBioMedicine. 2023;18(92):104616. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104616

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS:

Johannes Schumacher
Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg | Germany

Marino Venerito / Peter Malfertheiner
Consortium: staR – European Network on the Germline Genetics of Gastric Cancer | Germany

Javier P. Gisbert / Francis Megraud / Colm O’Morain / Adrian G. McNicholl
Consortium: Hp-EuReg – European Registry on the Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection | Spain

Rodrigo Jover
Consortium: European Polyp Surveillance (EPoS) Trials | Europe

Talía Malagón / Kimon Chatzistamatiou / Elisabeth McClymont / Staci Sudenga / Anna R Giuliano
Consortium: IPVS Early Career Working Group | Switzerland

Tania Fleitas / Marcis Leja / Fátima Carneiro / Javier P. Gisbert / Leticia Moreira / Tamara Matysiak-Budnik / Laimas Jonaitis / Mário Dinis-Ribeiro / Manon Spaander
Consortium: AIDA Consortium | Spain

Marcis Leja / Tamara-Matysiak-Budnik / Iris Vogelaar-Lansdorp / Zorana Maravic / Javier P. Gisbert / Juozas Kupcinskas / Dan Lucian Dumitrascu / Annemieke Smet / Mike Morrissey / Katarzyna Neubauer / Nadan Rustemovic / Sandra Milic / Wessel vaonn de Veerdonk / Victoria McEneaney / Jochen Weigt
Consortium: TOGAS Consortium | Latvia

Anax Fotopoulos / Markus Mohler
Consortium: ONCOSCREEN Consortium | Greece

*The information described in the group is the sole responsibility of the respective coordinator.

Epidemiology, Outcomes, Economics & Management in Oncology Group

EOEMOG research activity encompasses research at population level (RORENO and RON) and hospital level (IPOP) and in several areas of knowledge, meeting the level of challenges that health systems face globally and assuming that the management of health care health should have a strong component of clinical results (Value-Based Health Care). Thus, the group has contributed to increase the knowledge about the epidemiology of cancer, including geographic distribution of incidence, influence of socioeconomic determinants, assessment of the impact of the disease on the population by quantifying the global burden of disease. In addition, the group has produced knowledge in the areas of management, health outcomes and health care economics.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Maria José Bento, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-7690-9830 / 2A1A-1FCE-F83E
Senior Consultant in Public Health
Head of Department of Epidemiology at IPO-Porto
Coordinator of the Portuguese National Cancer Registry
Email: mjbento@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM
Senior Investigators

Ana Filipa Gonçalves, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4962-3260 / 4E1E-3BC4-6DA3
Cancer registrar / Data manager
Email: ana.goncalves@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Junior Researchers

Luísa Lopes-Conceição, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5064-9911 / B912-6BD5-D2C8
E-mail: luisa.conceicao@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Teresa Monjardino, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4944-3366 / FE17-375E-777F
E-mail: teresa.monjardino@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Invited Researchers

Joana Moreira, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0009-0357-5137 / 3D18-0F4F-C586
Statistician
IQVIA
E-mail: i38014@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

PhD Students

Carlos Matos, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-1134-0396 / 2619-ED62-0978
E-mail: cmdmatos@arsnorte.min-saude.pt

Mariana Pinto de Sousa, MSc
Ciência ID: 151A-5FC2-8034 / FCT Research Grant: UI/BD/154828/2023
E-mail: marianapsousa07@gmail.com

Débora Abreu, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-0531-4047 / A113-1238-5DF2
E-mail: up201304244@edu.fpce.up.pt

Other collaborators:

Ana Catarina Alves Rodrigues, MD MSc
ORCID ID / Ciência ID: 0009-0004-3034-4530 / 8018-881D-7BDE
Physician in Public Health
E-mail: ana.a.rodrigues@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana Sofia Oliveira, BSc
Ciência ID: 4C1F-9CAC-E47F
Management Technician
E-mail: ana.oliveira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana Sofia Teixeira da Silva, BSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0005-5815-682X / C316-FA1F-00E6
Management Technician
E-mail: ana.t.silva@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Cláudia Teixeira; MSc
ORCID ID / Ciência ID: 0000-0002-9139-090X / 9B17-E7C0-CDA4
Cancer registrar / Data manager
E-mail: i12918@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

José Taveira-Barbosa, MSc
ORCID ID / Ciência ID: 0009-0005-3645-8296 / 6B1B-1544-1C6F
Cancer registrar / Data manager
E-mail: i12918@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Marta Rangel, BSc
Ciência ID: 5D13-1785-2D17
Management Technician
E-mail: marta.rangel@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Pedro Leite-Silva, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-7015-242X / 8F1A-B281-8B8E
Statistician
E-mail: pedro.silva@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rita Calisto, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5151-5245 / 231E-FA55-2A54
Statistician
E-mail: rita.silva.calisto@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Teresa Mota Garcia, MD MSc
ORCID ID / Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4452-4140 / CB1C-62D4-54C6
Physician in Public Health
E-mail: teresa.garcia@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Virgínia Sousa, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5650-5401 / 191F-91F9-13BC
Management Technician
E-mail: virginia.sousa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

AIMS

The group intends to have a local and global impact on health care by incorporating a multidisciplinary perspective in the production of knowledge in the following areas:

– Cancer epidemiology, including cancer etiology and socioeconomic determinants;
– Clinical epidemiological research into predictive and prognostic factors of patient survival;
– Health care management, outcome research and health economics.

Being CI-IPOP a department of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, the role of GEREGO in these areas can be leveraged by strong integration with clinical practice.

In the future, the group aims to increase national and international partnerships in projects, support observational studies and publish and communicate.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

ONCOVALUE; Implementing value-based oncology care at European cancer hospitals: An AI-based framework for assessing real-life effectiveness of novel cancer therapies in real-time; EU; 424 434.75 € (2022-2026); Johanna Mattson – HUS Helsinki University Hospital (PI) & Luisa Lopes-Conceição (co-lead of WP4)

The ONCOVALUE consortium aims to unlock the full potential of Real-World Data and Real-World Evidence to maintain the affordability and sustainability of the healthcare system or the treatment of cancer.

The project aims to increase the capabilities of European cancer hospitals to easily and quickly collect, harmonize and analyze high-quality Real-World Data in real-time and by developing an AI-based framework. These resources and tools will allow the effective use of data and quality frameworks, for the continuous development of treatments, improvement of results, and support the health regulatory and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies to adopt RWD-driven methodologies in their decision-making on cost-effectiveness of novel cancer therapies.

CO(r)RECT Me; Metastatic COloREctal Cancer Treatment Pathway; LPCC; 13 500 € (2024-2025); Teresa Monjardino (PI) & Dânia Marques (PI)

Survival of patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) varies widely across the EU. The protocols for mCRC are highly variable and decided by multidisciplinary teams. Therefore, a thorough analysis of clinical practices among EU countries may be of interest to start analyzing differences in outcomes. The CO(r)RECT Me project bring together a team from different European countries to study differences in clinical outcome and to evaluate correlation with the pathway of cure and additional emerging variables.

ISCCP; Incidence and survival for childhood cancer in Portugal from 2010-2020: a nationwide population-based study; ; LPCC; 15 000 € (2024-2025); Teresa Monjardino (PI)

The primary objective of this study is to analyze childhood cancer incidence and survival rates and trends for the period 2010-2020, in Portugal, by sex, age, cancer site and region. As secondary objective we will evaluate the risk of multiple cancers in a cohort of patients. With this project we hope to obtain point estimates and updated temporal trends of childhood cancer incidence and survival. These indicators are decisive for planning and implementation of cancer prevention and control strategies.

RISK; New mRNA signatures as risk markers in cancers triggered by tobacco smoking; FCT; EXPL/SAU-PUB/1073/2021; 50 000 € (overall budget) (2021-2023); Isabel Pereira Castro (PI) & Maria José Bento (co-PI)

RISK aims to identify, validate and explore the potential of new risk markers and therapeutic targets (mRNA signatures diagnostic kit and mRNA vectors) to be used in patients with lung, bladder, and head and neck cancer. Overall, this project will advance current knowledge on mechanisms of disease, will provide new tobacco risk markers and will open novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention to be used in a clinical setting.

CancerCOV; The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment and survival of cancer patients; FCT; EXPL/SAU-EPI/1606/2021; 49 538.10 € (overall budget) (2022-2024); Luisa Lopes-Conceição (PI) & Samantha Morais (co-PI)

This project aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, care and survival of cancer patients from IPO-Porto throughout the pandemic, by comparing 3 periods, covering the 3 waves after the outbreak began in Portugal.

Immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer: real-world data from six European countries; DIGICORE; 11 572.66 € (2022-2023); Rita Calisto (PI) & Claudia Vieira (co-PI)

In the last decade, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supported the use of anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) agents in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) in first and further lines, improving overall survival (OS) compared to standard of care. Nevertheless, the results of RCTs may not be entirely generalized to the real-world population due to the stringent inclusion criteria and the rigid schedule of visits and exams. Real-world data (RWD) may overcome the limits imposed by rigorous design of RCTs and unlock key insights, including those related to underrepresentation in clinical trials. This study aims to describe and compare characteristics and treatments of real-world patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, among seven participating centers in six European countries, by collecting retrospective information on the use of immunotherapy in these patients.

CIPNETH; The Causes and Consequences of Incomplete Paclitaxel Administration during the Neoadjuvant treatment of Early Triple negative and HER2 positive breast cancer; DIGICORE; 70 000 € (overall budget) (2022-2023); Luisa Lopes-Conceição (PI) & Claudia Vieira (co-PI)

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Most patients are diagnosed with early-stage BC (eBC) in which the aim of treatment is to increase survival rates by reducing the risk of metastasis occurrence.

The backbone of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for eBC is the sequential administration of anthracyclines and taxanes. The administration of the initially planned dose-intensity of paclitaxel is frequently hampered by side effects, mainly chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Importantly, there is no established strategy to treat or prevent this side effect. This study aims to highlight a potential impact of reduced paclitaxel dose-intensity, in a neoadjuvant context, on the effectiveness of the treatment of patients with triple negative and HER2 positive eBC, measured by the complete pathological response rate and survival free from invasive disease.

COLLABORATIONS IN PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

PAINLESS; Pain relief in palliative care of cancer using home-based neuromodulation and predictive biomarkers; EU; 342 250.00 € (2022-2027); Maria Teresa Carrillo-de-la-Peña – University of Santiago de Compostela (PI) & Rui Medeiros (lead of WP1)

The PAINLESS project is an international and multidisciplinary initiative that seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying cancer-related pain and to provide an alternative to pharmacological relief. PAINLESS uses an evidence-based and innovative approach to investigate a novel, cost-effective, and home-based intervention to manage cancer-related pain using neuromodulation. The PAINLESS project consortium comprises over twenty institutions and is coordinated by Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.

Epidemiological characterization of the population of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated at the IPOP; Associação Portuguesa Contra a Leucemia, Sociedade Portuguesa de Hematologia e Novartis; 15 000 € (2023); Ana Meireles (PI)

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) was revolutionary in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The focus has shifted from delaying disease progression to more advanced stages, to achieving survival similar to the general population, achieving a profound molecular response, and discontinuing therapy while maintaining remission. Furthermore, it is increasingly important to consider the effects of TKIs on patients’ quality of life and patient-reported outcomes in the therapeutic approach. There are several studies on responses and adverse effects in patients with CML. However, the characterization of these patients in Portugal is not yet known. The main objective of this project is to describe the population of patients with CML treated at IPOP and, at the same time, to describe adverse effects of TKIs documented in these patients and which patients are candidates for TKI suspension and if there was a need to resume TKI.

BENCHISTA; International benchmarking of population-based childhood cancer survival by stage at diagnosis; 349 746.50 £ (overall budget) (2021-2024); Kathy Pritchard-Jones and Gemma Gatta (PI) & Ana Maia Ferreira (PI at IPOP)

The BENCHISTA, is a research collaboration between multiple population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) within and outside Europe. The project is designed to understand the reasons of variation in childhood cancer survival rates between countries and to highlight any areas that require improvement.

Also, the project aims to encourage the application of the Toronto Staging Guidelines (TG) by a large number of European and non-European cancer registries (CRs) for the most common solid pediatric cancers. The project focuses on: medulloblastoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms Tumor. More than 60 CRs will collect information from these types of tumors, diagnosed between 2014-2017, will assign the Toronto Stage at diagnosis and collect other relevant data about the tumor prognosis and survival.

CCI4EU; Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures for the European Union; EU; 9 984 080.00€; Carla Finocchiaro, Valentina Lungheu and Maurizio Cicero – Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (PI)

The aim of the CCI4EU consortium is to strengthen the research capacities of Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures, by: defining CCI maturity model; designing tailored Capacity Building Programme interventions; delivering online training courses; implementing targeted onsite interventions; disseminate, exploit and report results.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

RHiP; Assessment of tolerance to paclitaxel administration at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto; IPOP-CES 030/024; Teresa Monjardino (PI), Henriqueta Sampaio (PI), Joana Gomes (PI)

The existence of hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to cytotoxic chemotherapy leads to a dilemma in patient treatment. The alternatives that arise are to maintain therapy, assuming the risk of progression to a more serious or even fatal reaction, or to interrupt, postpone or replace it with another therapeutic regimen, which may not be as effective as the treatment initially prescribed. At IPOP remains to be analyzed how HSR to paclitaxel are treated and managed. This project aims to characterize hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel in IPOP and relate them to currently approved administration protocols and patient’s clinical and demographic characteristics.

The influence of forest fires on the incidence of cancer in Portugal; IPOP-CES 014/024; Rita Calisto (PI)

Although many studies have been done regarding the relation between wildfires and acute respiratory diseases, to best of our knowledge, only one study has been done regarding the correlation with the risk of cancer. Since Portugal is a country frequently devasted by forest fires it is of utmost importance to address its consequences on the health of the population, such as the effects on cancer risk. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between exposure to wildfires in Portugal from 2000 and the incidence of cancers from 2010 to 2020. As secondary objective we will try to evaluate the risk of developing cancer regarding the area burned and the PM concentration in the air.

Correlation between exposure to radon and the incidence of cancer in mainland Portugal; IPOP-CES 006/024; Teresa Garcia (PI)

The aim of this project is to analyze the correlation between environmental exposure to radon and the incidence of various types of cancer, in the three-year period 2018-2020, in the different parishes of mainland Portugal.

Incidence patterns of cancer in the population under 50 years of age, in Portugal, between 2011 and 2019; IPOP-CES 040/024; Teresa Garcia (PI)

The aim of this project is to characterize patterns of cancer incidence from 2001 to 2019 in individuals under 50 years of age, namely stratified by sex, age group, stage at diagnosis, area of residence, and type of cancer.

ULCER2C; Evaluation of the cost for treating pressure ulcers in cancer patients; PI 173-CI-IPOP 07-2022; 3 527.40 € (2021-2024); Luisa Lopes-Conceição (PI)

The project ULCER2C has the following objectives:
i) To estimate the cost for treating pressure ulcers associated with heath care in hospitalized cancer patients at IPOP, using the TDABC method;

ii) To quantify the association between the occurrence of pressure ulcers associated with heath care in hospitalized cancer patients at IPOP and the length of inpatient stay.

COLLABORATION IN PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

Epidemiological analysis of breast cancer in elderly women from Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto, and its impact on screening programs; IPOP-CES 033/024; Filipa Pereira (PI)

In the present research project, we intend to evaluate new cases and mortality in elderly breast cancer women followed up at IPOP. The course of disease will be characterized in order to evaluate the impact of the extension of the age of breast cancer screening to older ages.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma – Incidence and Mortality in Portugal; IPOP-CES 129/023; Cátia dos Santos – Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (PI)

Widely used since ancient times, due to its important chemical and physical characteristics, asbestos is recognized by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans and the main cause of occupational exposure associated with cancer in industrialized countries. Although the relationship between asbestos exposure and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is well known, much is still unknown about asbestos consumption and its location, as well as incidence and mortality of MMP. In Portugal, it is estimated that around 97% of MMP cases are underreported as an occupational disease. Despite the use of asbestos being banned in 1999, there is no national surveillance program, and consequently remains unknown the true dimension of this problem in the country.

MultiDPCa; Active surveillance for prostate cancer: a multidimensional study of a prospective cohort; Rui Freitas (PI)

The main goal of this project is to develop a prospective single-center longitudinal study in a low-risk prostate cancer cohort of patients over a period of 84 months. Simultaneously with clinical endpoints, quality of life and cost-effectiveness parameters will be assessed and compared with those of patients with low-risk (and selected cases of intermedium risk) prostate cancer that opt for alternative treatments rather than active surveillance such as radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy.

Melanocytic Tumours in Dogs and Cats – Comparative Study with the Human Counterpart; IPOP-CES 039/024; Andreia Santos – ICBAS (PI)

The objective of this project is to analyze the distribution of melanocytic tumors in Portuguese dogs and cats, considering breed, sex, age and municipality of residence, and to carry out a comparative analysis with the same tumors in humans, highlighting the similarities and analyzing geographic distribution.

Costs analysis, effectiveness and safety associated with Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell therapy: results from a Portuguese Comprehensive Cancer Center; IPOP-CES 188/020; (2019-2024); Sergio Chacim (PI)

In the population of patients treated with CAR T cells at IPOP, the aims of this project are:
– Assess overall response rate, complete and partial response rate, as well as duration of response
– Evaluate progression-free survival and overall survival
– Assess quality of life during treatment
– Assess toxicities during treatment
– Calculate direct costs associated with treatment
– Compare response rates obtained with CAR T cell treatment with a retrospective cohort of identical characteristics, treated between 2014 – 2018 at IPOP.

Publications:

Chacim, S., Monjardino, T., Cunha, J. L., Medeiros, P., Redondo, P., Bento, M. J., Mariz, J. M., Costs, effectiveness, and safety associated with Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: Results from a Comprehensive Cancer Center. PLoS ONE. 2022; 17(12): e0278950.

Comparison of incidence, survival and healthcare utilization between patients with second primary tumors and patients with only one primary tumor (female breast, prostate, colon and rectal, lung and thyroid cancer); IPOP-CES 50/019; (2019-2024); Filipa Fontes (PI)

The main objectives of this project are to estimate the cumulative incidence of second primary cancers (SPC) in four population-based cohorts of cases with first primary cancer (FPC) of female breast, prostate, colon and rectum, lung and thyroid, followed by for 10 years, according to sociodemographic and FPC characteristics. It is also intended to describe and compare the health care utilization, and costs associated with the health care, of patients with SPC and patients without SPC treated at the IPOP.

FAROL; Implementation of a financing model based on the measurement of clinical and non-clinical outcomes and integrated disease management in lung cancer at IPO Porto; (2018-2023); Marta Soares (PI).

The FAROL project, focused on Health Outcomes and Integrated Disease Management, consists of the development of a funding model centered on measuring results with incentives associated with quality.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

De Angelis R, Demuru E, Baili P, Troussard X, Katalinic A, Chirlaque Lopez MD, Innos K, Santaquilani M, Blum M, Ventura L, Paapsi K, Galasso R, Guevara M, Randi G, Bettio M, Botta L, Guzzinati S, Dal Maso L, Rossi S; EUROCARE-6 Working Group. Complete cancer prevalence in Europe in 2020 by disease duration and country (EUROCARE-6): a population-based study. Lancet Oncol. 2024 Mar;25(3):293-307. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00646-0. Epub 2024 Jan 30. PMID: 38307102.
Cardoso R, Guo F, Heisser T, Hackl M, Ihle P, De Schutter H, Van Damme N, Valerianova Z, Atanasov T, Májek O, Mužík J, Nilbert MC, Tybjerg AJ, Innos K, Mägi M, Malila N, Bouvier AM, Bouvier V, Launoy G, Woronoff AS, Cariou M, Robaszkiewicz M, Delafosse P, Poncet F, Katalinic A, Walsh PM, Senore C, Rosso S, Vincerževskienė I, Lemmens VEPP, Elferink MAG, Johannesen TB, Kørner H, Pfeffer F, Bento MJ, Rodrigues J, Alves da Costa F, Miranda A, Zadnik V, Žagar T, Lopez de Munain Marques A, Marcos-Gragera R, Puigdemont M, Galceran J, Carulla M, Chirlaque MD, Ballesta M, Sundquist K, Sundquist J, Weber M, Jordan A, Herrmann C, Mousavi M, Ryzhov A, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H. Colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, and stage distribution in European countries in the colorectal cancer screening era: an international population-based study. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Jul;22(7):1002-1013. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00199-6. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 34048685.
Girardi F, Rous B, Stiller CA, Gatta G, Fersht N, Storm HH, Rodrigues JR, Herrmann C, Marcos-Gragera R, Peris-Bonet R, Valkov M, Weir HK, Woods RR, You H, Cueva PA, De P, Di Carlo V, Johannesen TB, Lima CA, Lynch CF, Coleman MP, Allemani C; CONCORD Working Group. The histology of brain tumors for 67 331 children and 671 085 adults diagnosed in 60 countries during 2000-2014: a global, population-based study (CONCORD-3). Neuro Oncol. 2021 Oct 1;23(10):1765-1776. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noab067. PMID: 33738488; PMCID: PMC8485444.
Libânio D, Rodrigues JR, Bento MJ, Ebigbo A, Messman H, Verhoeven RHA, Van Damme N, Bisschops R, Spaander MCW, Dinis-Ribeiro M. Gastric cancer incidence and mortality trends 2007-2016 in three European countries. Endoscopy. 2022 Jul;54(7):644-652. doi: 10.1055/a-1673-1118. Epub 2021 Dec 16. PMID: 34666399.
Ghione P, Palomba ML, Patel AR, Bobillo S, Deighton K, Jacobson CA, Nahas M, Hatswell AJ, Jung AS, Kanters S, Snider JT, Neelapu SS, Ribeiro MT, Brookhart MA, Ghesquieres H, Radford J, Gribben JG. Comparative effectiveness of ZUMA-5 (axi-cel) vs SCHOLAR-5 external control in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Blood. 2022 Aug 25;140(8):851-860. doi: 10.1182/blood.2021014375. PMID: 35679476; PMCID: PMC9412012.

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Registo Oncológico Nacional de Todos os Tumores na População Residente em Portugal, em 2019
National Cancer Registry (Portugal)
The publication of the National Cancer Registry (RON) aims to disseminate information regarding the incidence and mortality of cancer in Portugal in 2019. The data presented refer to all tumors in the population residing in Portugal at the time of diagnosis, excluding cases handled under cooperation protocols, for example, with Portuguese-speaking African Countries. The publication comprises incidence and mortality data, incidence distribution maps of the main types of tumor and the assessment of the quality of information, through the mortality/incidence ratio and comparison with the national incidence of 2010 and 2018.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

E-OEN – European Oncology Evidence Network
The Oncology Evidence Network is a research network of Europe’s larger cancer hospitals working with IQVIA to provide high quality, real world data reflecting the latest clinical practice. E-OEN is set up to simplify delivery of up-to-date real-world evidence.

Link: https://www.iqvia.com/solutions/real-world-evidence/evidence-networks/oncology-evidence-network

VENUSCANCER – Women’s cancers: do variations in patterns of care explain the world-wide inequalities in survival and avoidable premature deaths?
The EU-funded VENUSCANCER project is seeking to understand the reasons behind starkly different patterns of survival and avoidable deaths in cancers affecting women around the world. This project will show that it is possible (a) to collect high-quality, complete clinical information at population level even in low- and middle-income countries; (b) to explain the striking inequalities in women’s cancer survival world-wide, and (c) to summarize these inequalities in a single number (avoidable deaths) as a powerful tool that motivates policymakers to reduce inequalities in survival.

Link: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/772345

PancreOS – Pancreatic cancer overall survival registry in Europe
The PancreOS is aimed to be a European network of pancreatic cancer registries to improve the collection of a comprehensive set of prospective data from pancreatic cancer patients at any stage of the disease, so to fill the gap of the lack of organized data collection in pancreatic cancer and to promote a better understanding of the disease and the development of more efficacious diagnosis strategies and personalized treatments. Among the specific objectives: to implement a European network of pancreatic cancer registries to provide a comprehensive view of pancreatic cancer patient management in Europe; to identify and present the inequalities in reporting pancreatic cancer data; to promote a better understanding of the disease and the development of more effective diagnosis strategies and personalized treatments.

Link: https://pancreaticcancereurope.eu/project/pancreos-pancreatic-cancer-overall-survival-registry-in-europe-2021/

VOICE – Value based healthcare for Outcomes In breast and lung Cancer in Europe
The project is based on the Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC) model that proposes an innovative strategic framework aimed at guiding healthcare services in their re-organization to provide patients with the highest value healthcare at the best cost, specifically in the case of breast and lung cancer.

Link: https://www.kronikgune.org/en/european-community-voice/
www.kronikgune.org/en/the-voice-community-nominated-for-the-value-based-dragons-grant-endorsement-2021-awards/

DigiCore – DiGital Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research
DIGICORE is a pan-European research network built to accelerate the Implementation of precision oncology in Europe. DIGICORE promotes and equips cancer centers in their use of routine electronic health records (EHR) and molecular diagnostic information (MDX) for trial automation, real world outcomes research, digital diagnostics and care quality management. The goal is to shape a digital research infrastructure based on digital interoperability between its Members. Network membership supports them to improve data quality and completeness, develop new data sources and tools, share digital best practices and promote novel, digitally enabled research methods.

Link: https://digicore-cancer.eu/

OECI Working Group on Cancer Economics and Benchmarking
The primary objectives of the WG is to demonstrate remits of cost-benefits analyses in oncology and to establish standards in budget impact analysis for OECI members.

Link: https://www.oeci.eu/WG.aspx?id=12&group=1

IPAAC – Innovative Partnership for Action Against Cancer WP7 PILOT 2
Italian National Institute of Health, Italy
The IPAAC Joint Action brings together 24 Associated Partners (with Affiliated Entities, 44 partners) across Europe whose main objectives are to build upon deliverables of the CANCON Joint Action and to implement innovative approaches to cancer control. A Roadmap on Implementation and Sustainability of Cancer Control Actions will be the main deliverable of this Joint Action.

Link: https://www.ipaac.eu/

CONCORD – Global surveillance of cancer survival
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
CONCORD is the program for world-wide surveillance of trends in cancer survival, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The CONCORD program is endorsed by 40 national and international agencies, including WHO EURO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) and the World Bank.

Link: https://csg.lshtm.ac.uk/research/themes/concord-programme/

WASABY – WAter & Soil contamination and Awareness on Breast cancer risk in Young women
Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Italy
The proposal involves the design of a model able to identify areas with higher cancer rates, so to study whether pollutant contamination may be a cause for increased cancer risk. Hence it aims to improve the health of EU citizens and reduce health inequalities.

Link: http://www.wasabysite.it/

EUROCARE – Survival of cancer patients in Europe
Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano and of the Italian National Institute of Health, Italy
EUROCARE is the widest collaborative research project on cancer survival in Europe. The project started in 1989 under the initiative of two research institutes, Istituto Nazionale Tumori (Milan, Italy) www.istitutotumori.mi.it and Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rome, Italy) www.iss.it, with the participation of many population-based Cancer Registries throughout Europe. Aims of the study are: to provide an updated description of cancer survival time trends and differences across European countries, to measure cancer prevalence, and to study patterns of care of cancer patients.

Link: http://www.eurocare.it/

RARECAREnet – Surveillance of Rare Cancers in Europe
Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Italy
Building on the experience of the previous project RARECARE and, in collaboration with RCE and many other RARECARENet aims at building an information network to provide comprehensive information on rare cancers to the community at large (oncologists, general practitioners, researchers, health authorities, patients and their families).

Link: https://www.rarecarenet.eu/

IICC – International Incidence of Childhood Cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR), France
The objective is to disseminate the available data on the incidence of cancer in children around the world. This will be achieved through the publication of a monograph, the third volume in the IICC series (IICC-3). Data from 440 registries in five continents have been collected, validated, analyzed, and evaluated.

Link: https://iicc.iarc.fr/

EURECCA – EUropean REgistry of Cancer CAre or EURopEan CanCer Audit
ESSO (European Society of Surgical Oncology), Belgium
EURECCA is an international multidisciplinary platform of clinicians and epidemiologists aiming to improve the quality of cancer care by data registration, feedback, forming plans for improvement and sharing knowledge of performance and science. EURECCA’s goal is to enlarge the European platform and infrastructure to cooperate with national registries or audit structures, expand the coverage of cancer patient outcome data that is captured and audit the quality of multidisciplinary cancer care.

Link: https://www.essoweb.org/projects/eurecca-cancer-care/

EurocanPlatform for Translational Cancer Research
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
EurocanPlatform will work towards the goal of decreasing cancer mortality by dealing with three main areas of strategic research: prevention, early detection and improved treatments. It will build the necessary resources and know-how for the entire research continuum: basic research, early and late translational research, clinical research, epidemiological research, implementation in care and population based outcome research.

Link: https://eurocanplatform.eu/category/industries/

UNCAN.eu, a European initiative to UNderstand CANcer
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, France
The blueprint for UNCAN.eu will propose to set up a European Federated Cancer Research data hub and to generate a series of use cases, addressing major challenges in cancer research. These ambitious and innovative, but realistic and focussed, use cases will be cross-border and trans-disciplinary research programmes built in a problem-solving manner. Results of these use cases will feed the Cancer Research data hub with findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable (FAIR) cancer research data. These research data will be combined with patient health and any other relevant data (e.g., from longitudinal cohorts, geographical observations, consumer and lifestyle data) at an unprecedented scale. UNCAN.eu that will bring all relevant players and information together, based on existing efforts in Europe and beyond.

Link: https://uncan.eu/

GRELL – Group for Cancer Epidemiology and Registration in Latin Language Countries

Link: https://www.grell-network.org/

CRICCS – Cancer Risk in Childhood Cancer Survivors: understanding the causes to target prevention

Link: https://criccs.iarc.who.int/

*The information described in the group is the sole responsibility of the respective coordinator.

CANCER BIOLOGY & EPIGENETICS GROUP

CBEG was established in 2008 and integrates predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers, with diverse academic backgrounds, including Biologists, Biochemists, Pathological, Cytological, and Thanatological Anatomy graduates, and Medical Doctors of several specialties, including Pathologists, Urologists, Gynecologists, Radiologists, Hemato-Oncologists, and Medical Oncologists.

In the context of Precision Oncology, we are developing several patient-centered pre-clinical and fundamental research projects addressing tumor biology, pathology, epigenetics, epitranscriptomics, tumor metabolism, and immunology topics.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Carmen Jerónimo, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4186-5345/ CE16-29CB-EDD1
Assistant Researcher
IPO Porto Research Director
TL2 – Cancer Coordinator / CI-IPOP@RISE-Associate Laboratory
Scientific Coordinator, Biobank – Department of Pathology
Guest Full Professor at ICBAS-School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Univ. Porto
President, ASPIC-Portuguese Association for Cancer Research
Chair, Translational Research Section/ESUR of the European Association of Urology
E-mail: carmenjeronimo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt/cljeronimo@icbas.up.pt

TEAM
Senior Researchers

Rui Henrique, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-3171-4666/ 641F-FE09-15E6
Senior Researcher
Senior Consultant Pathologist and Director, Department of Pathology
Guest Full Professor at ICBAS-School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Univ. Porto E-mail: henrique@ipoporto.min-saude.pt/ rmhenrique@icbas.up.pt

Margareta P. Correia, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4378-0820/ CB11-3261-9D4F
Assistant Researcher
Team Leader of the research topic: Onco-Immuno-Epigenetics
Lecturer at ICBAS-UP under the IPO Porto & ICBAS-UP Protocol
E-mail: margareta.correia@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Junior Researchers

Carla Bartosch, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0646-7667/ 881F-BDAC-46FE
Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology
Team Leader of the research topic: Gynecological Tumors
Lecturer in Pathology at ICBAS-UP under the IPO Porto & ICBAS-UP Protocol
E-mail: carla.bartosch@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

João Lobo, MD, PhD
Consultant in Pathology, Department of Pathology
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-6829-1391/ 8A14-8221-1CBF
Team Leader of the research topic: Testicular Tumors
Guest Assistant Professor at ICBAS-School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, UP
E-mail: jpedro.lobo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

María Gallardo Gómez, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher – Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IISGS), Vigo, Spain
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4856-9322 / 3B13-67B3-72E2
E-mail: maria.gomez@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sara Monteiro-Reis, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-2193-2793/ 3014-05F4-935F
Project Manager – EUnetCCC JA
Lecturer at ICBAS-UP under the IPO Porto & ICBAS-UP Protocol
E-mail: sara.reis@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Vera Miranda-Gonçalves, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4231-5532/ 8E1B-B722-284F
Lab Manager – Lab3
Lecturer at ICBAS-UP under the IPO Porto & ICBAS-UP Protocol
E-mail: vera.miranda.goncalves@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Guest Researchers

Diana Montezuma, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9551-4589 / 8614-D72D-4861
E-mail: diana.m.felizardo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Liliana Raimundo, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9003-2601 / B21B-623F-AA05
E-mail: liliana.raimundo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Óscar Rapado González, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher – Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8419-7004 / C019-EAAE-BBB8
E-mail: oscar.gonzalez@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sofia Salta, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-6707-1263 / 6119-2B18-6A26;
E-mail: sofia.salta@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Agnese Orsatti, MD
Resident in Pathology – University of Bologna, Italy
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0005-8560-1925 / 3614-3DC8-B863
E-mail: agnese.orsatti@studio.unibo.it

PhD Students

With External Funding

Supervising
Amal Magdy Mohamed, MSc (in collaboration with KU Leuven, Belgium; PROSTAMET – H2020 MSCA-GA No. 101120283)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0004-0514-9725 / BB1D-00E9-DB8C
E-mail: aml.mohamed@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana Teixeira-Marques, MSc (in collaboration with i3S/ Centro de investigación Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Espanha; FCT2023.01232.BD);
ORCID ID/Ciência ID: 0000-0003-1396-3466/ 601F-802B-922D;
E-mail: ana.t.marques@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Catarina Lourenço, MSc (in collaboration with i3S; FCT2021.06731.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0644-0202/ 9A1E-2DE0-A004;
E-mail: i37296@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Filipa Domingues dos Reis, MSc (in collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; FCT UI/BD/154816/2023);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9897-5612/ C014-A6CE-0341;
E-mail: filipa.reis@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Filipa Moreira Silva, MSc (in collaboration with Bern Univ Hospital, Bern, Switzerland; FCT 2023.00300.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-7272-7300/ 7019-D06D-3E3F;
E-mail: filipa.m.silva@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Íris da Rocha Carriço, MSc (in collaboration with MFRRP; FCT UI/BD/154815/2023);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4977-8273/ 3617-1D5C-EE2D;
E-mail: iris.carrico@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

João Martins da Gama, MD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5274-4114 / 9E1A-51E8-0B2C
E-mail: joaomartinsgama@gmail.com

João Moura e Silva, MD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8579-6543 / 241A-85E2-1BF3
E-mail: jricardo.moura.silva@gmail.com

José Pedro Sequeira, MSc (in collaboration with Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Spain; FCT2022.11060.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4687-3347/ FE1E-E1CF-6983;
E-mail: jose.leite.sequeira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Marta Avelar, MSc (in collaboration with i3S; FCT2025.02786.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-1961-6513 / 331A-DB95-F399
E-mail: marta.avelar@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Nuno Tiago Tavares, MSc (in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, USA; FCT2022.09566.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8426-1838/ 2718-0ED1-9F74;
E-mail: i38161@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Vera Constâncio, MSc (in collaboration with Champalimaud Foundation/Beatson Institute, Glasgow, Scotland; LCF/BQ/DR20/11790013);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3151-0367/ 3116-280A-8462;
E-mail: vera.salvado.constancio@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Co-Supervising

Mariana Carvalho, MSc (INEGI; FCT2022.09480.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8620-9718/ 7713-CE2C-47D2;
E-mail: mariana.carvalho@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Maria Miguel Castro, MSc (i3S; FCT2020.07439.BD);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5016-2567/ F41B-905E-E21F;
E-mail: mcastro@i3s.up.pt

Sanjana Vig, MSc (REQUIMTE;H2020 MSCA-GA ID: 861138);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-7939-6500/ 911E-5E8D-888C;
E-mail: sanjana@fmd.up.pt

IPO PORTO STAFF

Ana Fernandes Rodrigues, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-2955-055 / 371A-3A6B-696F;
E-mail: ana.fernandes.rodrigues@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Carlos Ochoa Leite, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0489-9677 / 7B14-471C-19A5;
E-mail: carlos.ochoa.leite@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Carina Carvalho-Maia, MSc;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-7011-8341 / B116-C629-89AC;
E-mail: i13035@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Isaac Braga, MD (in collaboration with CHUP);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9265-4324 / A31B-745C-57EA;
E-mail: isaac.braga@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

João André Carvalho, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8564-2050 / B318-599E-9623;
E-mail: joao.m.carvalho@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Lígia Gonçalves, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5864-8526 / 0D10-301A-79F6;
E-mail: ligiagoncalves@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mónica Pires, MD (CINTESIS@RISE);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-2238-5135/ 451E-BFE8-40BF;
E-mail: monica.pires@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rui Freitas, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4448-6458/ F01F-89CB-26E6;
E-mail: antoniofreitas@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rui Silva-Santos, MSc; Pathology Technician
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-6392-1785/ 0E14-7605-B96D;
E-mail: rui.silva.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sérgio Chacim, MD;
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-6316-8789/ A317-C226-0F98; E-mail: sergio.chacim@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sofia Paulino, MSc; Pathology Technician
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-1244-4066/ C31D-B4FF-D098
E-mail: sofia.paulino@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Research Assistants/Technicians

Fernanda Fernandes-Pontes, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0007-3931-0443 / 1C19-894E-FD30
E-mail: fernanda.pontes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mariana Lima-Costa, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0001-3257-3693 / 261D-7564-4CD4
E-mail: mariana.l.costa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mariana Silva-Ferreira, MSc (PTDC/EME-APL/1342/2020);
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5896-051X/ 521F-556D-5E8E;
E-mail: mariana.ferreira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

MSc Students

Anatasiia Ponosova; Integrated Master in Medicine, ICBAS-UP
Bárbara Amorim Fernandes, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Beatriz Parente Gonçalves, BSc, Master in Bioengineering, FEUP/ICBAS-UP
Berta Camille, BSc, Master in Biomedical Sciences-Molecular Mechanisms of Diseases, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Diana Almeida-Pereira, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Emilie Van Oproy, BSc, Master in Biomedical Sciences-Molecular Mechanisms of Diseases, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Francesca Roma, BSc; Master in Molecular Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, University of Bari, Italy
Gabriela Assunção, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Gonçalo Silva-Rodrigues, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Jéssica Cordeiro, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Jéssica Sousa, BSc; Master in Molecular and Cellular Biology, FCUP
Lara Silva Cunha; Integrated Master in Medicine, ICBAS-UP
Margarida Morais, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Maria Inês Reis, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Mariana Melo e Costa, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP
Marta Rodrigues, BSc; Master in Oncology, ICBAS-UP

Other collaborators

Alexandra Lapa, MSc; Resident in Pathology
Ana Isabel Varelas, MSc; Attending Pathologist
Ana Luísa Cunha, MD; Consultant Pathologist
Ana Teresa Martins, MSc; Pathology Technician
Andreia Coutada, MSc; Resident in Pathology
Ângelo Rodrigues, MD; Consultant Pathologist
Candy Paiva, BSc; Pathology Technician
Carla Renata Dias, MD; Consultant Pathologist
Carolina Duque, MSc; Resident in Pathology
Davide Gigliano, MD; Attending Pathologist
Fernanda Silva, BSc; Pathology Technician
Isa Carneiro, MSc; Pathology Technician
Jorge Torres-Ferreira, MSc; Pathology Technician
Júlia Azevedo, MD; Resident in Pathology
Maria Alzamora; MD; Resident in Pathology
Nuno Coimbra, MD; Consultant Pathologist
Paula Dias, BSc; Pathology Technician
Paula Lopes, BSc; Pathology Technician
Paula Monteiro, MD; Consultant Pathologist
Renata Vieira, BSc; Pathology Technician
Rita Guimarães, MSc; Pathology Technician
Sérgio Lopes, PhD; Cell Therapy Clinical Scientist
Verónica Ferreira, BSc; Pathology Technician

Aims

The core aim of our group is to portray in depth epigenetic/ epitranscriptomic mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis, which might be used as clinical tools for early detection, diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy prediction. The investigation of the mechanism and role of epigenetic-modulating drugs (epi-drugs) is another major goal. Moreover, owing to the relevance that Immuno-oncology has demonstrated in recent years, we are also exploring the epigenetic modulation of biomolecules involved in immune responses, aiming at the improvement of immunotherapeutic strategies.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING (click to more information)

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING (click to more information)

PATENTS

(2012) Methods and biomarkers for detection of bladder cancer; US 20130210011/ EP 2630261 A1/ WO 2012052844 A1 (in collaboration Oslo University Hospital)

(2023) Prostate cancer recurrence risk calculator; Provisional Patent PT 20242005764083

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Aditya Bagrodia | University of California San Diego, USA
Alejandro Sifrim & Johan Swinnem | KU Leuven, Belgium
Ángel Díaz-Lagares | Epigenomics Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Spain
Catherine Muller | IPBS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, France
Elena Martens-Uzunova | Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Florence Le Calvez-Kelm | IARC, Lyon, France
Gabri van der Pluijm | Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Giuseppina Carbone | Belinzona, Switzerland
Guro Lind | Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Hector Peinado CNIO, Madrid, Spain
Hing Leung | CRUK-Glasgow, UK
Isabelle Bernard-Pierrot | Institut Curie, Paris, France
Jesús M. Paramio & Marta Dueñas | Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, Madrid, Spain
Laura Muinelo-Romay & María Mercedes Suárez-Cunqueiro | Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Spain
Lucia Altucci | Università degli studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
Manel Esteller | Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
Marianna Kruithof-de Julio | Bern Univ Hospital, Switzerland
Mónica Martínez-Fernández, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Paola Arimondo | Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
Sandra Blanco | Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Salamanca, Spain
Wilbert Zwart | NKI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Valérie Taly | Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France

*The information described in the group is the sole responsibility of the respective coordinator.

Medical Physics, Radiobiology & Radiation Protection Group

The Medical Physics, Radiobiology & Radiation Protection Group was formed in the beginning of 2008 housed by the IPO-Porto Research Center. Its members are mainly physicists and radiobiologists but also include other expertises such as radiopharmacy and clinical practitioners. It is the only Medical Physics and Radiobiology research group in Portugal whose activities are developed entirely in a hospital environment.
The group has two Full Member (J.A.M. Santos and P.P. Teles) in the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (Eurados), and two Corresponding Member (J. Lencart and A. G. Dias), in the Workgroup 9 and 12, WG9 (Radiation Protection in Radiotherapy) and is involved in several national and international collaborations.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

João António Miranda dos Santos, PhD
João António Miranda dos Santos, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2465-5143
CIENCIA ID: 2514-D31E-2F02
Medical Physicist, Group Leader, Member of the Ethics Committee
Email: joao.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM

Senior Investigators

Anabela Gregório Dias, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2777-321X/ CIENCIA ID: 4C12-5EAB-0C33
Medical Physicist
Email: anabela.dias@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Isabel Maria Guedes Bravo, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6445-6443
CIENCIA ID: 031C-23F5-F5B4
Assistant Researcher/ Radiobiologist
Email: isabel.bravo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Pedro Peixoto Teles, PhD
ORCID ID: 6D11-4C85-387C/ CIENCIA ID: C61C-4934-500F
Assistant Professor; FCUP/UP
E-mail: ppteles@fc.up.pt

Sofia Isabel de Castro e Silva, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0056-6034/ CIENCIA ID: 6D11-4C85-387C
Medical Physicist, IPO Coimbra
Email: sofia.i.silva@ipocoimbra.min-saude.pt

Invited Researchers

Inês Campos Monteiro Sabino Domingues, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2334-7280/ CIENCIA ID: 971F-F25B-1E79
Assistant Professor; ISEC
E-mail: inesdomingues@gmail.com

PhD Students

Bárbara Adélia Meireles Barbosa, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0686-0397/ CIENCIA ID: 721A-00E6-BAC5
Radiotherapy Technologist
Email: barbara.barbosa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Bruno Miguel Ferreira Mendes, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7574-7630
Email: brunomendes81@gmail.com

Sara Filipa Coelho Guerreiro, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2334-7280/ CIENCIA ID: 971F-F25B-1E79
School of Health of the Polytechnic of Leiria
Email: sara.f.guerreiro@ipleiria.pt

MSc Students

Amizito Luís Rajabo
ORCID ID: 0009-0008-3439-7276/ CIENCIA ID: BF11-7036-81F9
Email: up202110020@edu.fc.up.pt

Rúben Diogo Oliveira Sousa
ORCID: 0000-0002-0776-5212/ CIÊNCIA ID: 2310-F2F9-4178
Email: ruben.d.sousa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Other Collaborators

Alexandre Baptista Mendes Pereira, BSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8965-274X/ CIENCIA ID: 301D-A86A-60C0
Medical Physicist
Email: apereira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

António Luís Soares
CIENCIA ID: A817-239C-7AC4
Medical Physicist
Email: Antonio.soares@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Carla Isabel Vaz Tavares Figueiredo Capelo, BSc
CIENCIA ID: 9D1A-6422-C7F7
Radiopharmacist
Email: carla.capelo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Diana Jorge Pimparel Alves Nuno Pinto, BSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2559-3407/ CIENCIA ID: D31C-57A9-559A
Medical Physicist
Email: diana.pinto@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Filipe Augusto Madeira Dias, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2992-5096/ CIENCIA ID: 5412-D0F2-2595
Medical Physicist
Email: filipe.dias@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Inês Magalhães da Silva de Lucena e Sampaio, MD, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4578-2280/ CIENCIA ID: 3918-4909-EB6E
Nuclear Medicine Physician
Email: ines.lucena@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Joana Borges Lencart e Silva, BSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7078-7257/ CIENCIA ID: 7A1A-E9DB-BECE
Medical Physics
Email: joana.lencart@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Jorge Barbosa Pereira, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7216-1191/ CIENCIA ID: BA13-D305-14A8
Medical Physicist
Email: jorge.b.pereira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Luís Hugo da Silva Trindade Duarte, MD, BSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6867-1180
Nuclear Medicine Physician
Email: hugo.duarte@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Luís Paulo Teixeira Cunha, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6012-6893/ CIENCIA ID: 7112-7B32-F43F
Medical Physicist
Email: luis.cunha@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Pedro Filipe Conde Andrade Silva, MSc
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3962-4040/ CIENCIA ID: 161C-6CE9-1867
Radiology and Radiotherapy Technologist
Email: pedro.andrade.silva@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rita Correia da Silva Alçada Albergueiro
ORCID: 0009-0009-3211-9501/ CIÊNCIA ID: F610-FB91-C98A
Medical Physicist
Email: ritaalbergueiro@gmail.com

Rogéria Maria Craveiro Pereira, Msc
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5786-2096/ CIENCIA ID: 0116-CFE3-35C7
Radiobiologist
Email: rogeriapereira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sara Patrícia de Almeida Pinto
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9863-2078/ CIENCIA ID: A214-DDBF-CA6E
Medical Physicist
Email: sara.pinto@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Susana Margarida Oliveira Gonçalves
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3036-5847/ CIENCIA ID: C119-01F8-B6F2
Dosimetrist technologist
Email: susanamg@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Vera Catarina Marques Antunes
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7195-8791/ CIENCIA ID: 8516-92A5-7DE5
Medical Physicist
Email: vera.antunes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

AIMS

The group focuses on the application of the methodology of physics and radiobiology to solve specific problems related to health care, especially ionizing radiation, both from the perspective of the patient procedures optimization or in the perspective of the protection in the event of professional exposure to ionizing radiation. It has already embraced critical personal exposure due to highly heterogeneous radiation fields with Monte Carlo simulations in CT-fluoroscopy and patient exposure during intra-operatory radiotherapy. This methodology, with increasing computer power over the last years, is becoming a benchmark method to simulate procedures in ionizing radiation physics, where exposure of subjects must be very well justified.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

TIPTOP – Artificial Intelligence applied to image based oncological prognosis
PI 145-CI-IPOP-133-2020; Budget: 21.000.00€ (2019 – ongoing); PI: Prof. Inês Domingues

Artificial intelligence methods, namely Machine learning and its Deep Learning component, can be used to anticipate the prognosis and response to therapy. From the imaging modalities available in the treatment and diagnosis of a cancer patient, CT and CBCT are widely used. Radiographic findings have shown a correlation to significant differences in protein expression patterns. In this context, extracting features from radiographic images using data-characterization algorithms (Radiomics) may provide a valuable tool for cancer evaluation during treatment. The hypothesis behind radiomics is that quantitative analysis of medical images may have a similar prognosis power as phenotypes and gene protein signatures. The idea is to predict the aggressiveness of Prostate Cancer from Ct images and the effectiveness of radiation therapy from CBCT images. However, features are extracted from a region of interest previously delimited. To address this issue, several image segmentation methods will be explored for the prostate and organs at risk, such as the bladder and the rectum. Clustering, U-Net, Active Contours and Graph-Based are a few example methods that will be explored. Also, a multi-class segmentation scenario is also interesting since it mimics the holistic manual segmentation of medical experts.

This project intends to explore the use of artificial intelligence methods and augment medical images with data, potentially aiding in detection, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment responses and disease monitoring.

Obra3HT – Optimizing Breast Cancer treatment planning workflow: from 3DCRT to hybrid techniques
PI199-CI-IPOP-35-2023; Budget: 15.000.00€ (2023 – ongoing); PI: Dr. Joana Lencart

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are common techniques used in breast cancer radiotherapy. 3DCRT employs multiple radiation beams aimed at the target from different angles, using a multileaf collimator to shape the beam and minimize the dose to nearby critical organs at risk (OAR). IMRT modulates the intensity of each beam to better conform the dose to the target’s shape, often resulting in lower doses to OARs. Hybrid radiotherapy (RT), combining both techniques, is used in Whole Breast (WB) irradiation and Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB). This hybrid approach is particularly useful when the target’s concavity involves an OAR, such as the heart, or when the tumor is large or complex, posing challenges for 3DCRT alone in achieving adequate target coverage while keeping OAR doses within tolerance levels.

The project aims to validate and propose the integration of hybrid techniques (3DCRT-IMRT or 3DCRT-VMAT) into institutional radiotherapy protocols for WB irradiation and assess their applicability to other anatomical sites. A selection of breast cancer patients previously treated with 3DCRT, including both left and right breast cases, will be randomly chosen. Clinically valid plans will be generated using hybrid techniques with the service Treatment Planning System (Varian Eclipse v16.1) and EZFluence software to optimize the 3DCRT component. Both AAA and Acuros algorithms will be used for plan calculations. The plans’ validation involves three steps using commercial software and quality control equipment: 1) ClearCheck (Radformation) will automatically extract dosimetric characteristics from the TPS for target coverage and OAR doses; 2) ClearCalc (Radformation) will serve as an independent calculation tool to verify accuracy; 3) Primo, a Monte Carlo treatment planning tool validated in prior projects, will provide additional independent calculations. Furthermore, 729 matrix and Verisoft (PTW), along with other methods, will be used as patient-specific QA tools. The validated plans will be grouped by technique, and a statistical analysis of relevant dosimetric parameters will be performed to compare the techniques.

DoReMi – Development and implementation of a MRI-only guided radiotherapy workflow
PI200-CI-IPOP-36-2023; Budget: 13.000.00€ (2023 – ongoing); PI: Dr. Sara Pinto

In the last decade, radiotherapy (RT) planning has increasingly used both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT provides electron density values for dose calculation, while MRI offers superior soft tissue contrast for better delineation of target volumes and organs at risk (OAR). MRI-only RT is becoming more common as it reduces healthy tissue exposure to CT-derived ionizing radiation, eliminates co-registration errors, and decreases resource use and costs, reducing duplicated efforts between diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy departments.

Planning MRI differs from diagnostic MRI by using larger diameter scanners, flat table tops for MR-compatible immobilization devices, external laser systems, and dedicated quality control and imaging protocols. Introducing MRI-only RT into clinical practice presents challenges such as patient movement during acquisition and ensuring geometric accuracy. Geometric accuracy is crucial for assessing MRI scanners’ suitability for RT planning, especially for radiosurgery/stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT). Image processing in diagnostic radiology focuses on qualitative tissue contrast rather than millimeter-level anatomical precision. Consequently, radioncologists may use uncorrected or partially corrected MRI scans for SRS/SRT planning. A comprehensive standard procedure for correcting MRI distortion has not been established, though the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is working on guidelines. A clinically viable QA protocol is needed to measure MRI images’ geometric precision and assess long-term stability.

Optimizing MRI protocols for RT planning involves maximizing spatial resolution and tissue contrast, minimizing acquisition time, and maintaining anatomical congruence despite motion. Compromises are necessary as simultaneous optimization of all factors is impossible. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) affects the perception of structures in low-resolution images and the distinction of small objects. Since patients are diagnosed before MRI for RT, a weaker SNR may be acceptable if other image quality parameters improve.

High spatial resolution, particularly slice thickness, is needed to distinguish small lesions or structures. However, high resolution alone does not guarantee visibility without sufficient image contrast or SNR. Image optimization requires balancing spatial resolution for adequate SNR and the ability to see fine details while maintaining a reasonable acquisition time. Radiology departments focus on accurate diagnosis, while radiotherapy requires images that support effective, safe treatment. Optimizing MRI for RT is time-consuming, often doubling acquisition time, and may necessitate sacrificing SNR for patient comfort during acquisition.

RaAITo – Development of a Chatbot for Radiotherapy using Artificial Intelligence Tools
PI201-CI-IPOP-37-2023; Budget: 15.000.00€ (2023 – ongoing); PI: Dr. Bárbara Barbosa

Faced with the fourth industrial revolution, more specifically the era of the digitalization of society and economy, the digital transition is considered to be an instrument of sustainability for our country, aligned with the development interests/investments of the European Union. In this context, it becomes imperative to develop programs and strategies aimed at boosting digital and economic competitiveness. Recent literature points to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an increasingly influential scientific area in solving problems in the healthcare sector. AI methods enable problem-solving in clinical settings and support the decision-making process in an automated and intelligent way. Currently, given the growing demand of radiotherapy users to receive quick and efficient answers to their questions when contacting the institution and the high amount of time allocated to specialists, the creation of a chatbot using AI tools is suggested. Conversational chatbots use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Understanding (NLU), applications of AI that enable machines to understand human language and intentions.
For the implementation of this project the action plan would be the development of a chatbot by the research team with the collaboration of a Master’s student and a grant holder.
There are currently several solutions that are highly customizable and easy to implement. For example, Google offers the Healthcare Natural Language API, which is specifically designed to analyze unstructured medical text and is also flexible enough to easily integrate with an institution’s existing internal systems.
As a general rule, the implementation of this technology will require the creation of a dictionary of intentions (database) by the multidisciplinary team of the radiotherapy department that will allow the integration of the different expertise of professionals in this field. Each conversation intent contains:
• a tag (defining what the intent is);
• patterns (sentence patterns for the neural network text classifier);
• possible responses.
The conversational intent definitions are transformed into a model, and a vocabulary structure is built for the chatbot to process the responses.
To increase the quality and scope of the construction of this dictionary of intentions, a survey will also be carried out by professionals from different specialities. In order to ensure the relevance and continuity of the project, quality control and impact measures will be implemented. One possible approach would be a star rating of the chatbot’s performance by the user at the end of the conversation.
approach would be a star rating of the chatbot’s performance by the user at the end of the conversation.
A multidisciplinary approach is required for the management of patients with cancer. A team of physicians, physicists, technicians, and nurses provides patient-centered care and enables decision-making at different points in their treatment. Support services, such as customer service to answer questions, have also become an important part of cancer care. Improving these services means ensuring the quality of the services provided and the continuity of a close relationship between the institution and the patient. This proximity will strengthen the image of excellence and innovation of the IPO Porto, based on the national strategy of administrative modernization and digital transformation.

LuPET – Lu-177 radiotherapy outcome prediction using image data from Ga-68 PET/CT scans
PI202-CI-IPOP-38-2023; Budget: 10.000.00€ (2023 – ongoing); PI: Prof. João Santos

The project aims to predict outcomes of Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) radiotherapy in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients using image data from Gallium-68 (Ga-68) PET/CT scans. NETs are diverse malignancies originating from neuroendocrine cells, and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) with Lu-177 DOTA-TATE is an effective treatment for inoperable or metastatic cases. However, patient responses vary, necessitating the identification of predictive markers for treatment response. Radiomics, which extracts quantitative features from medical imaging data, offers a promising approach. The project will involve the following steps: Data Collection: Retrospective collection of Ga-68 PET/CT scans and clinical data from NET patients treated with Lu-177 PRRT. Ensure ethical approvals and patient consent for data usage. Image Preprocessing: Standardize the Ga-68 PET/CT images by performing necessary preprocessing steps such as normalization, segmentation, and registration to ensure uniformity and accuracy in feature extraction. Feature Extraction: Utilize radiomics software to extract quantitative features from the preprocessed images. These features may include texture, shape, intensity, and wavelet-based characteristics that describe the tumor’s heterogeneity. Data Analysis: Integrate the extracted radiomic features with clinical data, such as patient demographics, treatment parameters, and outcomes. Perform statistical analysis to identify features significantly correlated with therapy response. Model Development: Develop predictive models using machine learning algorithms. Train the models on a portion of the dataset, validating and testing on separate subsets to ensure robustness. Techniques like cross-validation, regularization, and feature selection will be employed to optimize model performance. Validation: Validate the predictive models using an independent dataset to confirm their generalizability and accuracy. Performance metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) will be calculated. Interpretation and Reporting: Analyze the model outputs to identify key predictive features and their clinical relevance. Prepare comprehensive reports and visualizations to communicate the findings to clinical stakeholders. Implementation: Develop guidelines and tools for implementing the predictive models in clinical practice. Train clinicians on the use of these tools to enhance treatment planning and decision-making. Evaluation: Continuously evaluate the models’ performance in a clinical setting, making necessary adjustments based on feedback and new data. The successful completion of this project could significantly improve the personalization of Lu-177 PRRT, leading to better outcomes for NET patients.

TBIVMAT – Implementation of total body irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy as part of an institutional hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program
PI203-CI-IPOP-39-2023; Budget: 45.000.00€ (2023 – ongoing)
PI : Dra. Anabela Dias

Total body irradiation (TBI) with megavoltage photon beams is used in treating multiple myeloma, leukemias, lymphomas, and some solid tumors, often in combination with chemotherapy as part of conditioning before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. TBI delivers a uniform dose to the entire body, reaching areas like the central nervous system and testicles, which chemotherapy alone cannot. It also allows for customized dosing by shielding or boosting specific regions. Conventional TBI (cTBI) uses large fields with lung blocks to irradiate the entire body in standing or lying-on-the-side positions at extended distances, requiring large, costly vaults. cTBI has long application times and cannot individually spare organs at risk (OARs), leading to significant toxicity.
Advanced techniques aim to selectively target hematopoietic tissues with malignant cells while sparing healthy tissues. Total marrow irradiation (TMI) is a conformal treatment of the skeleton and an alternative to TBI, improving dose homogeneity with inverse optimization algorithms. TMI with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) avoids cTBI complications while maintaining effectiveness. However, limited preclinical models mean little understanding of the biological differences between TBI and TMI and their effects on bone marrow engraftment.
Studies show VMAT techniques reduce TBI treatment time and improve dose homogeneity, though their use is not widespread. VMAT enhances conformality and homogeneity in dose distribution, optimizing multiple arcs simultaneously for complex plans. Using VMAT for TBI aims to achieve optimal target coverage and sparing of OARs like the lungs, potentially reducing treatment side effects. The challenge is the large planning target volume (PTV), requiring multiple overlapping arc treatments and repositioning due to couch limitations.
This project aims to implement TBI using VMAT in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program. A full-body phantom is essential, necessitating the creation of RANDO phantom limbs. Although TBI is delivered supine, patients need repositioning due to couch limits. A secondary objective is to develop a rotatable tabletop system for multi-isocenter plans without repositioning patients. This could lead to high-precision 3D treatment, offering a homogeneous total body dose and sparing critical organs compared to conventional methods.

SyNTHaX – Synergistic effect of gold Nanoparticles in cancer hybrid Therapeutics: hyperthermia coupled with X-ray irradiation
PI204-CI-IPOP-40-2023; Budget: 22.600.00€ (2023 – ongoing); PI: Prof. Pedro Teles

In the SyNTHaX project, we will test the synergistic effects of combining GNRT and hyperthermia mediated by AuNPs in MCF-7 cell cultures, which are epithelial cells isolated from the mammary tissue of a 69-year-old white female patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma. This will be done in four different modalities in addition to the control group. In one modality, the cells will be irradiated with 60 keV X-rays and then excited with a pulsed laser optimized for heating the AuNPs. In the next modality, the cells will first be excited with the same laser and then irradiated with 60 keV X-rays. In the third modality, the cells will be irradiated only with 60 keV X-rays, and finally, in the fourth modality, only the laser will be used. Cell viability will be assessed using the Alamar Blue assay. Tissue responses and nanoparticle distributions will be measured spatially and temporally using 3D vascularized microfluidic breast cancer platforms. The AuNPs will be synthesized and characterized at IFIMUP, which already has excellent expertise in the fabrication and characterization of NPs. Their morphology will be optimized for laser heating. Dosimetry calculations will be performed through Monte Carlo simulations using state-of-the-art codes, which will allow for the determination of dose enhancement factors that can be correlated with cell viability.

Publications

Amorim JP; Abreu P.H.; Santos, J.; Müller, H., Evaluating Post-hoc Interpretability with Intrinsic Interpretability, arXiv arXiv:2305.03002, https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2305.03002 [IF: n.a.]

Amorim JP, Abreu PH, Santos J, Cortes M, Vila V, Evaluating the faithfulness of saliency maps in explaining deep learning models using realistic perturbations, Information Processing and Management, 60 (2023) 103225, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2022.103225 [IF: 8.6]

Barbosa B, Oliveira C, Bravo I, Couto JG, Antunes L, McFadden S, Hughes C, McClure P, Rodrigues J, Dias A. An investigation of Digital Skills of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists: A European survey of proficiency level and future educational needs. Radiography.2023;29(3):479–88 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2023.02.009 [IF: 2.6]

Catarina Macedo-Silva, Vera Miranda-Gonçalves, Nuno Tiago Tavares, Daniela Barros-Silva, Joana Lencart, João Lobo, Ângelo Oliveira, Margareta P. Correia, Lucia Altucci, Carmen Jerónimo, Epigenetic regulation of TP53 is involved in prostate cancerradioresistance and DNA damage response signaling, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 2023, 8:395. [IF 39.3]

Silva, MM, Canha M, Salazar D, Neves JS, Ferreira G, Carvalho D, Duarte H, Efficacy, Toxicity, and Prognostic Factors of Re-treatment With [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in Patients With Progressing Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Experience of a Single Center, Cureus, 2023 Oct 23;15(10):e47506. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47506 [IF: 1.2]

Flood T, O’Neill A, Oliveira C, Barbosa B, Soares A, Muscat K, Guille S, McClure P, Hughes C, McFadden S. Patients’ perspectives of the skills and competencies of Therapy Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TRs/RTTs) in the UK, Portugal and Malta; a qualitative study from the SAFEEUROPE project. Radiography. 2023;29:S117-S127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2023.03.002 [IF: 2.6]

Flood, T., O’Neill, A., Oliveira, C., Barbosa, B., Soares, M. A. L., Muscat, M. K., Guille, S., Mc Clure, P., Hughes, C., & McFadden, S. 2023. “Patients’ perspectives of the skills and competencies of therapy radiographers/radiation therapists (TRs/RTTs) in the UK, Portugal and Malta; a qualitative study from the SAFE Europe project”. Radiography, 29, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2023.03.002 [IF: 2.6]

Julian Malicki, Carla Lopes Castro, Magdalena Fundowicz, Marco Krengli5, Carmen Llacer-Moscardo, Sebastian Curcean, Carles Muñoz Montplet, Luisa Carvalho,Ewelina Konstanty, Tania Hernandez Barragan, Carla Pisani, Istvan Laszlo, Miquel Macià Garau, Marta Kruszyna-Mochalska, Joana Lencart, Dorota Zwierzchowska, Alvar Rosello Serrano, Adelina Brezae, Eva Loureiro Varela, Piotr Milecki, Micol Zannetti, Ovidiu Coza, Eva Gonzalez, Debora Beldì, Ferran Guedea, IROCA-TES: Improving Quality in Radiation Oncology through Clinical Audits — Training and Educationfor Standardization, Reports of Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2023, 28(3):429-432 [IF: 1.2]

Katarina Sjögreen-Gleisner, Glenn Flux, Klaus Bacher, Carlo Chiesa, Robin de Nijs, George C. Kagadis, Thiago Lima, Maria Lyra Georgosopoulou, Pablo Minguez Gabiña, Stephan Nekolla, Steffie Peters, Joao Santos, Bernhard Sattler, Caroline Stokke, Johannes Tran-Gia, Paddy Gilligan, Manuel Bardiès, EFOMP policy statement nº 19: Dosimetry in nuclear medicine therapy – Molecular radiotherapy, European Journal of Medical Physics, 116 (2023) 103166, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.103166 [IF: 3.4]

Mariana Morais, Vera Machado, Patrícia Figueiredo, Francisca Dias, Rogéria Craveiro, Joana Lencart, Carlos Palmeira, Kirsi S. Mikkonen, Ana Luísa Teixeira, Rui Medeiros, Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) as Enhancers of Everolimus and Radiotherapy Sensitivity on Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Antioxidants, 2023, 12(12):2051. [IF 7.0]

Maurício J, I. Domingues, J. Bernardino. Comparing Vision Transformers and Convolutional Neural Networks for Image Classification: A Literature Review. Applied Sciences. 2023; 13(9): 5521. [IF: 2.7]

Mendes B, I. Domingues, F. Dias, J. Santos. Cone Beam Computed Tomography Radiomics for Prostate Cancer: Favourable vs Unfavourable Prognosis Prediction. Applied Sciences. 2023; 13(3):1378. [IF: 2.7]

Miriam Seoane Santos, Pedro Henriques Abreu, Nathalie Japkowicz, Alberto Fernández, João Santos, A unifying view of class overlap and imbalance: Key concepts, multi-view panorama, and open avenues for research, Information Fusion 89 (2023) 228–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2022.08.017 [IF: 18.6]

O Neil A, Hughes C, McClure P, Barbosa B, Muscat K, Oliveira C, Soares AL, McFadden S. 2023. Patient-reported perspectives of therapeutic radiographers when undergoing radiotherapy. A European multi-centre study. Radiography 29:S32-S39. doi:10.1016/j.radi.2023.01.027 [IF: 2.6]

Oliveira C, Barbosa B, Couto JG, Bravo I, Hughes C, McFadden S, Khine R, McNair H. Advanced practice roles of therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists: An European survey. .Radiography. 2023;29 (2): 261-273. DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2022.12.003 [IF: 2.6]

Oliveira C, Barbosa B, Couto JG, Bravo I, Hughes C, McFadden S, Khine R, McNair H. Advanced practice amongst therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists: Exploring the potential of the four pillars: preliminary results from a European perspective. J. Med. Imaging Rad Science 53 (4), S26_27 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.10.088 [IF: 1.8]

Pires AM L. Carvalho, A.C. Santos, A.M. Vilaça, A.R. Coelho, F. Fernandes, L. Moreira,J. Lima, R. Vieira, M.J. Ferraz, M. Silva, P. Silva, R. Matias, S. Zorro, S. Costa, S. Sarandão,A.F. Barros, Radiotherapy skin marking with lancets versus electric marking pen (CONFORTATTOO)- 6 Months Results on Cosmesis, Fading, and Patients’ Satisfaction From a Randomized, Doubçe-Blind Trial, Radiography, VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3, 101404, MARCH, 2024 (Published:November 05, 2023) [IF: 2.6]

Pires AM, Borges F, Dias AG, Lencart J, Matos M, Gonçalves J, Paraffin gauze bolus as tissue compensator on photon irradiation for mycosis fungoides – regarding a case study, Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 22 (e82) 2023. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396923000109 [IF: 0.148]

Rodrigues A, N. Rodrigues, J. Santinha, M. V. Lisitskaya, A. Uysal, C. Matos, I. Domingues, N. Papanikolaou. Value of handcrafted and deep radiomic features towards training robust machine learning classifiers for Prediction of Prostate Cancer Disease Aggressiveness. Scientific Reports. 2023; 13(6206). [IF: 4.6]

Soares AL, Buttigieg SC, Bak B, McFadden S, McClure P, Couto JG, Bravo I. A Review of the Applicability of Current Green Practices in Healthcare Facilities. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2023;12:6947. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2023.6947 [IF: 2.9]

Soares AL, Buttigieg SC, Couto JG, Bak B, McFadden S, Bravo I. An evaluation of knowledge of circular economy among Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs): Results of a European survey to inform curriculum design. Radiography (Lond). 2023 Mar;29(2):274-283. doi:10.1016/j.radi.2022.12.006 [IF: 2.6]

Ana Arriaga; Cláudia Gonçalves; P. Teles; Joana Santos; Paula Simãozinho; Patrick Sousa, Establishment of local diagnostic reference levels for abdomen and chest radiographies in the region of Algarve, Portugal, European Journal of Radiology, 170 (2023) 111248, DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111248 [IF: 3.3]

Books, & Book Chapters

M. El Amine Bechar, N. Settouti, and I. Domingues, Deep Learning vs. Super Pixel Classification for Breast Masses Segmentation, Deep Learning for Biomedical Applications, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2021, pp. 121–156, eBook ISBN9780367855611

Selected publications (up to five)

Mendes B, I. Domingues, F. Dias, J. Santos. Cone Beam Computed Tomography Radiomics for Prostate Cancer: Favourable vs Unfavourable Prognosis Prediction. Applied Sciences. 2023; 13(3):1378. [IF: 2.7]

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP)
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar of the University of Porto (ICBAS)
Higher Technical Institute (IST/CTN)
INESC Porto
University of Aveiro (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
University of Coimbra (Center for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra; LIP)
Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon
University of Minho (MEMS)

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN; Krakow, Polónia
Institution: Radiation Chemistry and Dosimetry Laboratory; Country: Bijenička c. 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE), Dosimetry and Calibration Department; Atenas, Greece
Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Unit Research in Dosimetric Applications; Belgium
Safe and Free Exchange of EU Radiography Professionals across Europe (SAFE EUROPE); Multi-institutional; European Consortium
European Radiation Dosimetry Group – EURADOS; EURADOS e. V.

Experimental Pathology & Therapeutics Group

The group is dedicated to understanding cancer pathophysiological mechanisms and identifying biomarkers/molecular targets for precision oncology, by combining top-notch multi-omics, genetically engineered cancer cells, and animal models. It develops basic, translational, and clinical cancer research with the aim of improving cancer patient’s clinical management. The group closely collaborates with biopharmaceutical companies and has been actively committed to bringing improvements to health care through innovation, supporting clinical trials, new ventures and graduate training in oncology. It is also devoted to implementing oncology and cancer research units in Portuguese-speaking African countries.

COORDENADOR CIENTÍFICO

Lúcio Lara Santos, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-0521-5655
Senior Surgeon
Associated Professor, Specialist in Oncology Surgery
Email: lucio.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM

Senior Investigators

José Alexandre Ferreira, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-0097-6148/ 641C-9F20-41B1
Principal Investigator
Coordinator of the research line “Glycobiology of systems applied to cancer”; CEO of the start-up GlycoMatters Biotech (www.glycomatters.com)
Email: jose.a.ferreira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Carlos Alberto Palmeira de Sousa, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-4833-2202/ 781B-62F1-B0BA
Técnico Superior de Saúde do Laboratório de Imunologia
Senior Health Technician in the Immunology Laboratory
Coordinator of the research line “Cancer Immunology”; Assistant Professor in Immunology and Histopathology
Email: carlospalmeira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Luís Carlos Oliveira Lima, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-8152-9237/ 9F16-0E29-D9FC
Junior Researcher
Coordinator of the research line “Cancer Biomarker”
Email: luis.carlos.lima@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Junior Researchers

Andreia Filipa Ferreira Peixoto, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-9514-0775/ 361D-5B5E-A5C1
Email: andreia.peixoto@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Invited Researchers

Cristina Patrícia Mendes Santos, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-1437-9157/ D211-A545-54FC
Psycologist @ Associação Fraunhofer Research Portugal
Email: mendessantos.cristina@gmail.com

Elisabete Cristina Nunes Fernandes, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-9907-7432/ E31A-6197-4349
Science manager @UFP – University Fernando Pessoa
Email:

Maria do Céu dos Santos Silva Costa, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 000-0003-3766-2887/ 1915-FDC2-099B
Assistant Professor @ UFP – University Fernando Pessoa
Email: ccosta@ufp.edu.pt

Maria do Rosário Lima Viseu de Carvalho Pinto Leite, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 000-0003-4128-0494/ 5E1F-A422-C16D
Clinical Laboratory Geneticist @ CHTMAD
Email: mlleite@chtmad.min-saude.pt

Otília Pereira-Lopes, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-6199-4091/ 8C19-5295-FF32
Assistant Professor @ UFP – University Fernando Pessoa
Email: otilia@ufp.edu.pt

Pâmela Cristina Carvalho Borges, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-4491-9874/ F01A-BAE5-7AB6
Foreigner Researcher – Principal Investigator of Molecular Biology Lab @ Agostinho Neto University Hospital, Cape Verde
Email: palu15.18@gmail.com

Sofia do Rosário Alves Pereira, PhD
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 000-0002-3633-397x/ CF1A-9493-5C42
Assistant Professor @ UFP – University Fernando Pessoa
Email: sofia@ufp.edu.pt

PhD Students

Adriana Carneiro, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-1905-6250/ 481E-1A5C-FD18
INL Braga & CI-POP
Email: adriana.carneiro@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana Carolina Fernandes Vieira de Castro, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-8156-4470/ BE18-11D8-B606
CI-IPOP
Email: ana.castro@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Andreia Rafaela Linhares Miranda, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-5441-4888/ 1718-50AE-1648
CI-IPOP
Email: i37220@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Catarina Alexandra da Rocha Rodrigues, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-1305-8055/ 321E-40C9-FC31/ 321E-40C9-FC31
CI-IPO & i3S
Email: catarina.rodrigues@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Catarina Alves Pinto, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-1465-7666/ 2F1F-8115-52CE
CI-IPOP & ICBAS & University of Tokyo
Email: up201402615@edu.icbas.up.pt

Clara Alice Gentil Daher Mota, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-2938-1623/ 1611-4013-2CBB
FADEUP &CI-IPOP
Email: clara.mota@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Cristiana Milhazes Gaiteiro, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-5438-1679/ 6717-DB97-FF86
CI-IPOP
Email: i12812@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Daniel Mateus Gonçalves, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-5388-870/ 9D14-B66F-A1CF
Instituto Superior Técnico & CI-IPOP
Email: dmateusgoncalves@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Daniela Rocha Santos, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-1081-5142/ 4617-DBEA-8AE6
CI-IPOP
Email: daniela.r.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Dylan Gomes Ferreira, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-9224-0121/ AA12-CF31-3A82
CI-IPOP & CIMA Institute
Email: i38795@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Eliana Janine de Paiva Soares, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-1586-7120/ 9A1D-8326-6C19
CI-IPOP& UA
Email: eliana.paiva.soares@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

João Miguel Monteiro Antunes, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-9904-5115/ E110-6373-AB6D
FADEUP & CI-IPOP
Email: joao.monteiro.antunes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mafalda Barbosa Pedrosa, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-3222-731X/ CC1F-AF12-787C
FADEUP & CI-IPO & UA
Email: i37305@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Maria de Fátima Sousa e Santos, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-3796-2054/ CB1E-EE01-ED1C
CI-IPOP
Email: maria.fatima.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mariana Pinto de Sousa, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-5232-2384/ 151A-5FC2-8034
CI-IPOP
Email: mariana.p.sousa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Marta Filipa Relvas dos Santos, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID:: 0000-0001-5764-5414/ EE19-E89D-2D92
CI-IPOP & FCUP
Email: marta.relvas.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Michelle Shereen Alves Castanheira, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID:: 0009-0005-7368-687X /4311-D422-CF14
GRAQ- REQUIMTE & CI-IPOP
Email: michelle_castanheira@hotmail.com

Nuno Henrique Oliveira Jorge, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-5531-0557/ D716-29E8-991
FADEUP &CI-IPOP
Email: nuno.jorge@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Patrícia Pinto de Pinho, MSc
CIÊNCIA ID:: D21B-B93A-6001
CITAB & CI-IPOP
Email: patriciapintopinho@hotmail.com

Pedro Miguel dos Reis Cruz, MD, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-8813-0632/ 0610-621F-B88A
CI-IPOP
Email: pedro.reis.cruz@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rui Filipe Neves Freitas, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0003-0723-8719/ 2B13-9E7D-E20B
CI-IPOP & I3s
Email: rui.freitas@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Samuel da Silva Barbosa, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-5364-7340/ 0713-CF7A-0417
FADEUP & CI-IPOP
Email: i37306@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sofia Ribeiro Cotton, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-8112-5619/ 081F-D38F-8B7A
CI-IPOP & I3s
Email: sofia.ribeiro.cotton@ipoporto.min.saude.pt

Research Assistants

Beatriz Marinho Santos, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0009-0004-2783-4950/ 071C-C3F1-1D95
Email: beatriz.santos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Beatriz da Silva Matos, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-9333-5525/ 8E17-4276-A691
Email: beatriz.matos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Eduardo da Silva Ferreira, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0009-0003-3258-8451/ E61B-3A6A-E8AE
Email: i37310@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Mariana Gonçalves Eiras, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0009-0006-7483-4771/ F310-BAED-C2E9
Email: mariana.eiras@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Martina Dourado Gonçalves, MSc
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0009-0004-6311-3990/ C410-3A72-CC85
Email: martina.goncalves@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

MSc Students

Camila Adriana Gonçalves Lourenço
CIÊNCIA ID: 391C-D972-B9EA
Email: camila.lourenco@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Débora Filipa Pinto
CIÊNCIA ID: 2619-D353-8599
Email: debora.pinto@ipoporto.min.saude.pt

Other collaborators

Dora Maria Barrocas Bernardo, MSc, Oncology pharmacist
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-9755-4362/ 5B17-1115-3B7A
Luís Pedro Fernandes Afonso, MSc, Pathologist
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-6354-7332/ FA1F-3698-B309
Mariana Macedo Alves Peyroteo Gomes, MD, MSc, Surgeon
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-0941-2533
Pedro Carvalho Martins, MD, MSc, Surgeon
ORCID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-1828-078X

Aims

Foreseeing precise clinical interventions, the group has four teams:
The Infection in Cancer and Clinical Translation team aims to study the carcinogenesis caused by infectious agents foreseeing clinical intervention. It also focuses on defining personalized risk mitigation programs (e.g. perioperative care).
The systems cancer glycobiology team dedicates to understanding cancer glycosylation by integrating multi-omics approaches and identifying cancer specific signatures for patient stratification and targeted interventions.
The cancer immunology team focuses on mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance and pre-clinical assessment of combination therapies in cellular and animal models.
The cancer biomarkers team studies circulating cancer cells and non-invasive biomarkers envisaging precision oncology.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

RESOLVE: Rational Design of Multivalent Glycocode-Inspired Nanovaccines for Gastric Cancer Immunotherapy
Funded by FCT
Ref: DOI: 10.54499/PTDC/MED-OUT/2512/2021
Period: 01/01/2022 – 31/12/2024
Budget: 128 305.00€
PI: José Alexandre Ferreira

RESOLVE aims at a comprehensive interrogation of the gastric cancer glycoproteome for unique molecular signatures to improve patient stratification. It also plans to translate clinically relevant signatures into innovative cancer glycovaccines exploiting proprietary cutting-edge glycoengineered nanovehicles. These new generation of glycosylated vaccine vehicles can specifically deliver immunogenic cargos to antigen presenting cells, unleashing otherwise compromised immune responses against cancer cells. The objective is to setup the pre-clinical basis for an innovative immunotherapy for cancer.

Publications

Peixoto A, Miranda A, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. A roadmap for translational cancer glycoimmunology at single cell resolution. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2022 41(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13046-022-02335-z.

REVERENT: Pre-clinical Validation of a Glycocode-inspired Vaccine for Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy
Funded by FCT
Ref: 2022.03621.PTDC
Period:01/03/2023 – 31/08/2024
Budget: 49 507.07€
PI: Andreia Peixoto Co-PI: José Alexandre Ferreira

The project aims to validate a glycovaccine for bladder cancer in a pre-clinical context, using relevant animal tumor models, with the translational intent for clinical studies.

Phosphoproteomics of hypoxic and glucose deprived bladder cancer cells: the missing link towards systems oncology
Funded by European Proteomics Infrastructure Consortium
Ref: EPIC-XS-0000341
Period:01/06/2021 – 31/05/2023
PI: José Alexandre Ferreira in collaboration with Heck’s Lab at Utrecht University

Hypoxia resulting from ineffective vascularization due to uncontrolled cell growth is a relevant microenvironmental feature of more aggressive tumours, driving main cancer hallmarks. This event is accompanied by nutrient shortage, however the molecular and functional adaptations experienced by cancer cells under both oxygen and nutrient depletion remains poorly understood. Multi-omics systems biology approaches, with emphasis on phosphoproteomics and glycoproteomics, are being used to comprehensively characterize hypoxic microenvironments envisaging precision interventions.

Publications

Peixoto A, Freitas R, Ferreira D, Relvas-Santos M, Paulo P, Cardoso C, Soares J, Gaiteiro C, Palmeira C, Teixeira F, Ferreira R, Oliveira MJ, Silva AMN, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Metabolomics, Transcriptomics and Functional Glycomics Reveals Bladder Cancer Cells Plasticity and Enhanced Aggressiveness Facing Hypoxia and Glucose Deprivation. bioRvx 2021 doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.14.431133

IPOScore: Predicting the risk of complications of surgical treatment and define prognosis of cancer patients through clinical and biopathological data integration
Funded by FCT
Ref: DSAIPA/DS/0042/2018
Period:01/01/2019 – 31/07/2022
Budget: 31 163.00€
PI: Andreia Peixoto Co-PI: José Alexandre Ferreira

This project intends to apply an innovative approach based on data-driven modeling that integrates clinical, biopathological and physiological data of patients with cancer to predict the risk of (post-)operative complications. The expected outcome is the creation of an user-friendly online platform, which includes a database to store/manage the data collected in a structured format, computational approaches and prediction models to calculate a specific risk index score for the Portuguese population. The platform will provide an added-value to surgeons in oncological hospitals as an intelligent clinical decision support system.

Publications

Fernandes E, Ferreira D, Peixoto A, Freitas R, Relvas-Santos M, Palmeira C, Martins G, Barros A, Santos LL, Sarmento B, Ferreira JA. Glycoengineered nanoparticles enhance the delivery of 5-fluoroucil and paclitaxel to gastric cancer cells of high metastatic potential. Int J Pharm. 2019 570:118646. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118646.
Fernandes A, Rodrigues J, Lages P, Lança S, Mendes P, Antunes L, Santos CS, Castro C, Costa RS, Lopes CS, da Costa PM, Santos LL. Root causes and outcomes of postoperative pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery: a retrospective observational cohort study. Patient Saf Surg. 2019 13:40. doi: 10.1186/s13037-019-0221-5.
Fernandes E, Sores J, Cotton S, Peixoto A, Ferreira D, Freitas R, Reis CA, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers: Looking beyond classical serological biomarkers towards glycoproteomics-assisted precision oncology. Theranostics. 2020 10(11):4903-4928. doi: 10.7150/thno.42480.
Fernandes A, Rodrigues J, Antunes L, Lages P, Santos CS, Moreira-Gonçalves D, Costa RS, Sousa JA, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Santos LL. Development of a preoperative risk score on admission in surgical intermediate care unit in gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Perioper Med (Lond). 2020 9:23. doi: 10.1186/s13741-020-00151-7.
Sousa Menezes A, Fernandes A, Rocha Rodrigues J, Salomé C, Machado F, Antunes L, Castro Silva J, Monteiro E, Lara Santos L. Optimizing classical risk scores to predict complications in head and neck surgery: a new approach. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 278(1):191-202. doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-06133-1.

PROTECT: Prehabilitation to enhance cancer treatment in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction and the stomach
Funded by FCT
Ref: PTDC/SAU-DES/7945/2020
Period: 01/01/2021 – 31/12/2023
Budget: 135 695.00€
PI: Lúcio Lara Santos

The PROTECT project envisions the multimodal prehabilitation of proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer patients to minimize the burden without compromising the safety and efficacy of anti-cancer treatment.

DCMatters: Combination of Dendritic Cell Vaccine with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors as First-Line Therapy in Patients
Funded byFEDER
Ref: NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-047212
Budget: 822 007.92€
PI: Lúcio Lara Santos

The DCMatters project aims to develop and manufacture a new generation of dendritic cell (DC) vaccines with greater capacity to induce an anti-tumour response, by optimizing the manufacturing method using chemoinformatic tools and validating it in vitro and in vivo.

Laserthermia: Synergistic antitumor effect of combined laser thermotherapy and immunomodulators in malignant melanoma
Funded by Clinical Laserthermia Systems AB
Ref: PI 130-CI-IPOP-125-2019
Budget: 79 347.64€
PI: Carlos Alberto Palmeira de Sousa Co-PI: Lúcio Lara Santos

The Laserthermia project aims to evaluate the synergistic antitumor effect of laser-based thermotherapy and clinically implemented immunomodulators in poorly immunogenic B16F10 melanoma mouse models.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

OptimizingLiverMet: Immunological and circulating tumour cells evaluation in colorectal cancer liver metastasis
REF.: PI 77-CI-IPOP-47-2016
Budget: 47 172.39€
PI: Lúcio Lara Santos Co-PI: Luís Lima

Colorectal cancer is common in Portugal, often leading to liver metastases. Hepatic resection is a primary treatment, with recent advances in systemic therapies improving prognosis. However, challenges like liver recurrences and adverse events persist. Immunotherapy, especially with checkpoint inhibitors like Pembrolizumab, has shown promise for cancers with high mutational loads. Our study aims to analyze immune markers in primary tumors and liver metastases, and assess circulating tumor cells in blood, to optimize treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases.

GlycoBodies: Development of monoclonal antibodies for chemoresistant bladder cancer based on glycobiomarkers
Funded by IPO Research Center
Ref: CI-IPOP-58-2015
Budget: 223 950.99€
Period:01/01/2015 – 31/12/2024
PI: José Alexandre Ferreira Co-PI: Lúcio Lara Santos

The project devotes to a comprehensive characterization of the bladder cancer glycome and glycoproteome across the multiple pathological manifestations of the disease, with emphasis on tumours not responding to chemotherapy. The overall aim is to identify cancer specific signatures and develop theranostic antibodies for aggressive cells precise targeting.

Publications

Azevedo R, Soares J, Gaiteiro C, Peixoto A, Lima L, Ferreira D, Relvas-Santos M, Fernandes E, Tavares A, Cotton S, Daniel-da-Silva AL, Santos LL, Vitorino R, Amado F, Ferreira JA. Glycan affinity magnetic nanoplatforms for urinary glycobiomarkers discovery in bladder cancer. Talanta. 2018 184:347-355. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.03.028.

Azevedo R, Soares J, Peixoto A, Cotton S, Lima L, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Circulating tumor cells in bladder cancer: Emerging technologies and clinical implications foreseeing precision oncology. Urol Oncol. 2018 36(5):221-236. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2018.02.004.

Peixoto A, Relvas-Santos M, Azevedo R, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Protein Glycosylation and Tumor Microenvironment Alterations Driving Cancer Hallmarks. Front Oncol. 2019 9:380. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00380.

Fernandes E, Sores J, Cotton S, Peixoto A, Ferreira D, Freitas R, Reis CA, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers: Looking beyond classical serological biomarkers towards glycoproteomics-assisted precision oncology. Theranostics. 2020 10(11):4903-4928. doi: 10.7150/thno.42480.

Fernandes E, Freitas R, Ferreira D, Soares J, Azevedo R, Gaiteiro C, Peixoto A, Oliveira S, Cotton S, Relvas-Santos M, Afonso LP, Palmeira C, Oliveira MJ, Ferreira R, Silva AMN, Lara Santos L, Ferreira JA. Nucleolin-Sle A Glycoforms as E-Selectin Ligands and Potentially Targetable Biomarkers at the Cell Surface of Gastric Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel). 2020 12(4):861. doi: 10.3390/cancers12040861.

Ferreira JA, Relvas-Santos M, Peixoto A, M N Silva A, Lara Santos L. Glycoproteogenomics: Setting the Course for Next-generation Cancer Neoantigen Discovery for Cancer Vaccines. Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics. 2021 19(1):25-43. doi: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.03.005.

Peixoto A, Ferreira D, Azevedo R, Freitas R, Fernandes E, Relvas-Santos M, Gaiteiro C, Soares J, Cotton S, Teixeira B, Paulo P, Lima L, Palmeira C, Martins G, Oliveira MJ, Silva AMN, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Glycoproteomics identifies HOMER3 as a potentially targetable biomarker triggered by hypoxia and glucose deprivation in bladder cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021 40(1):191. doi: 10.1186/s13046-021-01988-6.

Cotton S, Ferreira D, Soares J, Peixoto A, Relvas-Santos M, Azevedo R, Piairo P, Diéguez L, Palmeira C, Lima L, Silva AMN, Lara Santos L, Ferreira JA. Target Score-A Proteomics Data Selection Tool Applied to Esophageal Cancer Identifies GLUT1-Sialyl Tn Glycoforms as Biomarkers of Cancer Aggressiveness. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 22(4):1664. doi: 10.3390/ijms22041664.

Freitas R, Relvas-Santos M, Azevedo R, Soares J, Fernandes E, Teixeira B, Santos LL, Silva AMN, Ferreira JA. Single-pot enzymatic synthesis of cancer-associated MUC16 O-glycopeptide libraries and multivalent protein glycoconjugates: a step towards cancer glycovaccines. New Journal of Chemistry 45 2021, 9197-9211, doi:10.1039/d0nj06021f.

Peixoto A, Cotton S, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. The Tumour Microenvironment and Circulating Tumour Cells: A Partnership Driving Metastasis and Glycan-Based Opportunities for Cancer Control. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021 1329:1-33. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-73119-9_1.

Gaiteiro C, Soares J, Relvas-Santos M, Peixoto A, Ferreira D, Paulo P, Brandão A, Fernandes E, Azevedo R, Palmeira C, Freitas R, Miranda A, Osório H, Prieto J, Lima L, Silva AMN, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Glycoproteogenomics characterizes the CD44 splicing code associated with bladder cancer invasion. Theranostics. 2022 12(7):3150-3177. doi: 10.7150/thno.67409.

Peixoto A, Miranda A, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. A roadmap for translational cancer glycoimmunology at single cell resolution. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2022 41(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13046-022-02335-z.

Selected publications (up to five)

Freitas R, Ferreira E, Miranda A, Ferreira D, Relvas-Santos M, Castro F, Santos B, Gonçalves M, Quintas S, Peixoto A, Palmeira C, Silva AMN, Santos LL, Oliveira MJ, Sarmento B, Ferreira JA. Targeted and Self-Adjuvated Nanoglycovaccine Candidate for Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS Nano 2024 18(14):10088-10103. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12487; PMID: 38535625

Freitas R, Miranda A, Ferreira D, Relvas-Santos M, Castro F, Ferreira E, Gaiteiro C, Soares J, Cotton S, Gonçalves M, Eiras M, Santos B, Palmeira C, Correia MP, Oliveira MJ, Sarmento B, Peixoto A, Santos LL, Silva AMN, Ferreira JA. A multivalent CD44 glycoconjugate vaccine candidate for cancer immunotherapy. J Control Release 2024 367:540-556. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.065; PMID: 38301927

Carneiro A, Piairo P, Matos B, Santos DAR, Palmeira C, Santos LL, Lima L, Diéguez L. Minimizing false positives for CTC identification. Anal Chim Acta. 2024 1288:342165. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.342165; PMID: 38220297
Santos DAR, Gaiteiro C, Santos M, Santos L, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Lima L. MicroRNA Biomarkers as Promising Tools for Early Colorectal Cancer Screening-A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 24(13):11023. doi: 10.3390/ijms241311023. PMID: 37446201;

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

André Silva – Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto
Bruno Neves – University of Aveiro
Celso Reis; Cristina Xavier; Fátima Gartner; Isabel Castro; João Vinagre; Luísa Pereira; Maria Helena Vasconcelos; Maria José Oliveira; Paula Soares; Raquel Almeida; Sérgia Velho; Nuno Mendes – i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto
Daniel Moreira Gonçalves – Faculty of Desport of University of Porto
Francisco Amado, Rita Ferreira, Rui Vitorino – Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro
Lorena Dieguez – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
Lucília Saraiva – School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of University of Porto
Marlene Santos – The School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto
Miguel Oliveira – University of Minho – 3B’s; Braga
Paula Oliveira – University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
Paula Videira, Angelina Palma, Rafael Costa – NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon
Rui Henriques – IST Técnico-University of Lisbon

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

André Carvalho – International Agency for Research on Cancer/ World Health Organization; France
Bruno Vedrine – Oncocellex at BUSI Incubateur d’Entreprises Auvergne; France
Carla Carrilho – Facuty of Medicine of University Eduardo Mondlane; Mozambique
Fernando Miguel – Angolan Institute for Cancer Control – IACC, Angola
Giovanni De Manzoni – University of Verona; Italy
Hervé Luche – French Institute of Health and Medical Research | Inserm, France
Isabel M. dos Santos Silva – London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; United Kingdom
Jesus Prieto, Juan José Lasarte – Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarre; Spain
João Curado – Flomics; Spain
Laura Bermejo – Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS); Spain
Luke Cossins – Universal Biosensors (UBI); Australia
Noel Miranda – Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC); Netherlands
Rita Azevedo – Institut Pasteur; France
Rogier Louwen – CCassured; Netherlands
Yvette van kooyk – Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Netherlands

Cancer Genetics Group

The Cancer Genetics Group studies the interplay between inherited cancer predisposition and the pattern of acquired genetic alterations that give rise to cancer, in order to understand the mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression and their role in therapy response and resistance. In fact, the fields of germline and somatic genetics are progressively more interconnected, as exemplified by shared mutation signatures that might have similar predictive value for targeted cancer therapy. Several biologically and clinically relevant tumor models are studied, with emphasis in prostate cancer. It is a multidisciplinary research group that includes medical doctors, pharmacists, biochemists and biologists, all specialized in cancer genetics.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Manuel R. Teixeira, MD, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4896-5982
Group Coordinator/Senior Researcher (Research Coordinator)
Director of the Department of Laboratory Genetics of IPO Porto / Coordinator of the Cancer Genetics Group of CI-IPOP / Guest Full Professor (Medical Genetics and Cancer Genetics), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto
Email: manuel.teixeira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM
SENIOR INVESTIGATORS

Paula Paulo, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8387-2127
Senior Researcher (Assistant researcher)
Senior Researcher at the Cancer Genetics Group of CI-IPOP
Email: paula.paulo[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

JUNIOR RESEARCHERS

Andreia Brandão, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0938-1543
PosDoc Researcher (Junior)
Junior researcher at the Cancer Genetics Group of CI-IPOP
E-mail: andreia.aguiar.brandao@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Bernard Orr, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9159-7644
PosDoc Researcher (Junior)
Junior researcher at the Cancer Genetics Group of CI-IPOP
E-mail: i13009@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

INVITED RESEARCHERS

Sofia Maia, MD, PhD
Ciência ID: 8713-CBDB-1CD0
Genetician
Coimbra University Hospital
E-mail: s.maia@chuc.min-saude.pt

PhD STUDENTS

Elsa Paiva, MSc (IPOP)
Ciência ID: 8214-06A6-66AB
E-mail: i36026@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Pedro Gomes, MSc (IPOP/ FPCEUP)
Ciência ID: 1412-DEE3-E085
E-mail: pedro.silva.gomes@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rita Canário, MD (IPOP/i3S)
Ciência ID: 4D16-8D65-7129
E-mail: rita.canario@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Manuela Pinheiro, PhD
Ciência ID: 0216-6A5F-4983
E-mail: Manuela.Pinheiro[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Cátia Gonçalves, MSc
Ciência ID: C01A-FB73-0A85
E-mail: catia.goncalves[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

MSc STUDENTS

Luca Rocha, BSc
Ciência ID: E411-0DDE-36D7
E-mail: luca.rocha[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Madalena Ribeiro, Bsc
Ciência ID: F317-C67A-EDEE
E-mail: madalena.corado[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sofia Costa, BSc
Ciência ID: 0018-D631-03E9
E-mail: sofia.costa[at]ipoporto.min-saude.pt

OTHER COLLABORATORS

Ana Barbosa, PhD
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: E519-6872-5FE9

Ana Peixoto, PhD
Oncology Pharmacist
Ciência ID: 2014-3C52-DAC7

Adriana Resende, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 2418-F824-8B08

Carla Pinto, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 271F-E46E-86E8

Carla Escudeiro, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: B21B-3C92-5EB8

Catarina Santos, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: AC19-D7A8-6DE9

Cecília Correia, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 0E10-1002-4547

Gabriela Soares, MD
Genetician
Ciência ID: 311B-86C6-1C9B

Isabel Santos, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 0C13-B632-9D1D

Joana Guerra, MSc (IPOP)
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: EC17-9634-91E6

Joana Vieira, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 751D-0AB6-2951

João Silva, MD
Genetician
Ciência ID: A217-7877-3BB1

Lurdes Torres, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: A113-39B0-F44B

Patrícia Arinto, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 9F18-FB90-3ED9

Patrícia Rocha, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 2715-3C44-24D7

Susana Bizarro, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: E011-B9A0-8B3F

Susana Lisboa, MSc
Clinical Biologist
Ciência ID: 2017-BE12-C7F5

AIMS

The main lines of research for the period 2024-2026 are the following:

To further characterize the contribution to carcinogenesis of the PRUNE2, BUB1B and IPO4 genes, which we have recently uncovered as candidate prostate cancer predisposition genes contributing to explain the missing heritability of this disease.
To understand the polygenic basis of hereditary predisposition to prostate cancer using a multi-omics integrative approach combining genomic and transcriptomic strategies.
To use cell-based strategies to screen genetic variants and compounds targeting cilia-related genes for prostate cancer development and therapy.
To evaluate the potential utility of anti-EGFR therapies in ETS-positive subtypes of prostate cancer.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

PRUNE2 – “PRUNE2 gene as a novel dual-role biomarker for prostate cancer inherited predisposition and therapy response”; FCT (2023.01928.RESTART); Budget: 49,800€ (2023-2025) (PI: Andreia Brandão)

Building on previous findings, this project aims to combine genomic, transcriptomic, and computational approaches to consolidate PRUNE2 as a novel cancer predisposing gene for prostate cancer, and to evaluate its potential as a predictive biomarker.

Publications

Cardoso M, Maia S, Brandão A, Sahasrabudhe R, Lott P, Belter N, Carvajal-Carmona LG, Paulo P, Teixeira MR. Exome sequencing of affected duos and trios uncovers PRUNE2 as a novel prostate cancer predisposition gene. Br J Cancer. 2023; 128(6):1077-1085. doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-02125-6. PMID: 36564567.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

ctDNA-BRCA – “Identification of somatic and germline mutations in circulating tumor DNA in ovarian cancer patients and in germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers undergoing cancer screening” (PI 71-CI-IPOP-35-2016), Budget: 90K€ (2016-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to explore the use of ctDNA as an alternative for non-invasive predictive genetic testing for targeted therapy in ovarian cancer patients with germline or somatic BRCA1/2 mutations, as well as in the setting of cancer screening of high-risk germline BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

Publications

Barbosa A, Pinto P, Peixoto A, Guerra J, Pinheiro M, Santos C, Pinto C, Escudeiro C, Bartosch C, Santos R, Brandão A, Silva J, Teixeira MR. Next generation sequencing of tumor and matched plasma samples: identification of somatic variants in ctDNA from ovarian cancer patients. Front Oncol. 2021; 11:754094. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754094. PMID: 34660321.

Barbosa A, Peixoto A, Pinto P, Pinheiro M, Teixeira MR. Potential clinical applications of circulating cell-free DNA in ovarian cancer patients. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2018; 20:e6. doi: 10.1017/erm.2018.5. PMID: 30558693.

ctDNA-Cancer – “Validation of liquid biopsies for predictive biomarker testing, therapy response monitoring, and resistance mechanism identification in cancer patients” (PI 82-CI-IPOP-54-2017), Budget: 35K€ (2017-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to evaluate the detection of genetic alterations in ctDNA as a tool for predictive biomarker testing, therapy response monitoring, and resistance mechanism identification in cancer patients candidates to or under treatment with biological cancer therapies.

Publications

Pinheiro M, Peixoto A, Rocha P, Veiga I, Pinto C, Santos C, Pinto P, Guerra J, Escudeiro C, Barbosa A, Silva J, Teixeira MR. KRAS and NRAS mutational analysis in plasma ctDNA from patients with metastatic colorectal cancer by real-time PCR and digital PCR. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2022; 37(4):895-905. doi: 10.1007/s00384-022-04126-6. PMID: 35303157.

CaGaGen – “Identification of germline mutations by gene-panel next generation sequencing in familial tubular and mixed tubular-diffuse gastric cancer” (PI 84-CI-IPOP-56-2017), Budget: 90K€ (2017-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to identify additional genes involved in inherited predisposition to diffuse, tubular and mixed gastric cancer, which may allow genotype-oriented clinical surveillance and/or prophylaxis.

Publications:

Guerra J, Pinto C, Pinto P, Pinheiro M, Santos C, Peixoto A, Escudeiro C, Barbosa A, Porto M, Francisco I, Lopes P, Isidoro AR, Cunha AL, Albuquerque C, Claro I, Oliveira C, Silva J, Teixeira MR. Frequency of CDH1, CTNNA1 and CTNND1 germline variants in families with diffuse and mixed gastric cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15(17):4313. doi: 10.3390/cancers15174313. PMID: 37686589.

Fewings E, Larionov A, Redman J, Goldgraben MA, Scarth J, Richardson S, Brewer C, Davidson R, Ellis I, Evans DG, Halliday D, Izatt L, Marks P, McConnell V, Verbist L, Mayes R, Clark GR, Hadfield J, Chin SF, Teixeira MR, Giger OT, Hardwick R, di Pietro M, O’Donovan M, Pharoah P, Caldas C, Fitzgerald RC, Tischkowitz M. Germline pathogenic variants in PALB2 and other cancer-predisposing genes in families with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer without CDH1 mutation: a whole-exome sequencing study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018; 3(7):489-498. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(18)30079-7. PMID: 29706558.

Sahasrabudhe R, Lott P, Bohorquez M, Toal T, Estrada AP, Suarez JJ, Brea-Fernández A, Cameselle-Teijeiro J, Pinto C, Ramos I, Mantilla A, Prieto R, Corvalan A, Norero E, Alvarez C, Tapia T, Carvallo P, Gonzalez LM, Cock-Rada A, Solano A, Neffa F, Della Valle A, Yau C, Soares G, Borowsky A, Hu N, He LJ, Han XY; Latin American Gastric Cancer Genetics Collaborative Group; Taylor PR, Goldstein AM, Torres J, Echeverry M, Ruiz-Ponte C, Teixeira MR, Carvajal-Carmona LG. Germline mutations in PALB2, BRCA1, and RAD51C, which regulate DNA recombination repair, in patients with gastric cancer. Gastroenterology. 2017; 152(5):983-986.e6. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.12.010. PMID: 28024868.

LUNG-ctDNA – “Characterization of targeted therapy resistance mechanisms in EGFR/ALK/ROS1/BRAF-positive NSCLC by gene panel NGS in circulating cell-free DNA” (PI 138-CI-IPOP-126-2019), Budget: 15K€ (2021-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to evaluate the overall sensitivity of the NGS of ctDNA to detect the primary molecular change in NSCLC patients progressing after first-line targeted treatment with an approved targeted therapy for those molecular subtypes of NSCLC, to describe the pattern of resistance mechanisms in patients with EGFR, BRAF, ALK, or ROS1-positive NSCLC who progressed after first-line treatment, to evaluate the rate of potential access to other approved or off-label targeted therapies, and to evaluate the potential impact of this strategy to reduce the rate of rebiopsies in these patients.

VATER – “Landscape of somatic and germline genetic alterations in ampullary carcinomas” (PI 140-CI-IPOP-128-2020), Budget: 15K€ (2019-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to perform screening of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in a large series of ampullary carcinomas to confirm the association of mutations in these genes with this rare neoplasia that we previously identified, to evaluate the presence of deleterious germline variants in other genes involved in DNA repair, namely, genes of the Fanconi anemia pathway and genes involved in HR, in patients with ampullary carcinomas, and to characterize the pattern of somatic variants in DNA repair genes in ampullary carcinomas.

MetPC – “Simultaneous detection of germline and somatic mutations in DNA repair genes by next generation sequencing of tumor samples and cell-free DNA from metastatic prostate cancer patients” (PI 141-CI-IPOP-129-2020), Budget: 75K€ (2021-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of detecting both germline and somatic mutations in homologous recombination genes in cell-free circulation DNA (cfDNA) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who do not have an analyzable formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor sample.

PATHSEARCH – “Understanding the polygenic basis of hereditary predisposition to prostate cancer: a multi-omics integrative approach combining genomics and transcriptomics” (PI 161-CI-IPOP-154-2021), Budget: 10K€ (2022-2028) (PI: Andreia Brandão)

This project aims to understand the polygenic basis of hereditary predisposition to prostate cancer using a multi-omics integrative approach combining genomic and transcriptomic strategies.

TREATCILIA – “Theragnostic exploitation of ciliogenesis defects in prostate cancer – building bridges” (PI 162-CI-IPOP-155-2021), Budget: 45K€ (2022-2025) (PI: Paula Paulo)

This project aims to use cell-based strategies to screen genetic variants and compounds targeting cilia-related genes for prostate cancer development and therapy.

POLYRISK – “Impact of multigene next generation sequencing and polygenic risk score for breast cancer predisposition” (PI 163-CI-IPOP-156-2021), Budget: 10K€ (2022-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic variants in BC susceptibility genes in BC patients who do not comply with the NICE criteria but who fulfill the MCGplus criteria for genetic testing.

ETS-EGFR-CRC – “Identification of markers of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal carcinoma” (PI 205-CI-IPOP-08-2023), Budget: 5K€ (2023-2024) (PI: Paula Paulo)

This project aims to understand if expression of PEA3 transcription factors and/or GRPR are associated with resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in “wild-type” mCRCs, ultimately unveiling a molecular signature that may guide alternative therapeutic approaches.

HLEU – “Inherited predisposition to hematological malignancies” (PI 206-CI-IPOP-29-2023), Budget: 5K€ (2023-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to detect germline variants that may be responsible for hereditary predisposition to hematological malignancies, with or without association with other neoplasias, in patients with personal and/or family history of the disease.

ETS-EGFR-PC – “In vitro exploitation of the therapeutic potential of EGFR pathway inhibitors in prostate cancer cells harboring ETS rearrangements” (PI 207-CI-IPOP-30-2023), Budget: 30K€ (2023-2024) (PI: Paula Paulo)

This project aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of EGFR and STAT3 inhibitors in PCa cell lines overexpressing ETV1 or ETV4 in vitro, alone or in combination with a GRPR inhibitor.

ctDNA-Lynch – “Detection of cancer specific genetic alterations in circulating free tumor DNA as a tool for early cancer diagnosis and follow up in Lynch syndrome patients” (PI 72-CI-IPOP-36-2016), Budget: 20K€ (2016-2024) (PI: Manuel Teixeira)

This project aims to evaluate the detection of genetic alterations in ctDNA as a tool for early cancer diagnosis and follow up in high-risk Lynch syndrome patients and carriers.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Cardoso M, Maia S, Brandão A, Sahasrabudhe R, Lott P, Belter N, Carvajal-Carmona LG, Paulo P, Teixeira MR. Exome sequencing of affected duos and trios uncovers PRUNE2 as a novel prostate cancer predisposition gene. Br J Cancer. 2023; 128(6):1077-1085. doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-02125-6. PMID: 36564567.
Paulo P, Cardoso M, Brandão A, Pinto P, Falconi A, Pinheiro M, Cerveira N, Silva R, Santos C, Pinto C, Peixoto A, Maia S, Teixeira MR. Genetic landscape of homologous recombination repair genes in early-onset/familial prostate cancer patients. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2023; 62(12):710-720. doi: 10.1002/gcc.23190. PMID: 37436117.
Bancroft EK, Page EC, Brook MN, Thomas S, Taylor N, Pope J, McHugh J, Jones AB, Karlsson Q, Merson S, Ong KR, Hoffman J, Huber C, Maehle L, Grindedal EM, Stormorken A, Evans DG, Rothwell J, Lalloo F, Brady AF, Bartlett M, Snape K, Hanson H, James P, McKinley J, Mascarenhas L, Syngal S, Ukaegbu C, Side L, Thomas T, Barwell J, Teixeira MR, Izatt L, Suri M, Macrae FA, Poplawski N, Chen-Shtoyerman R, Ahmed M, Musgrave H, Nicolai N, Greenhalgh L, Brewer C, Pachter N, Spigelman AD, Azzabi A, Helfand BT, Halliday D, Buys S, Ramon Y Cajal T, Donaldson A, Cooney KA, Harris M, McGrath J, Davidson R, Taylor A, Cooke P, Myhill K, Hogben M, Aaronson NK, Ardern-Jones A, Bangma CH, Castro E, Dearnaley D, Dias A, Dudderidge T, Eccles DM, Green K, Eyfjord J, Falconer A, Foster CS, Gronberg H, Hamdy FC, Johannsson O, Khoo V, Lilja H, Lindeman GJ, Lubinski J, Axcrona K, Mikropoulos C, Mitra AV, Moynihan C, Ni Raghallaigh H, Rennert G, Collier R; IMPACT Study Collaborators; Offman J, Kote-Jarai Z, Eeles RA. A prospective prostate cancer screening programme for men with pathogenic variants in mismatch repair genes (IMPACT): initial results from an international prospective study. Lancet Oncol. 2021; 22(11):1618-1631. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00522-2. PMID: 34678156.
Brandão A, Paulo P, Maia S, Pinheiro M, Peixoto A, Cardoso M, Silva MP, Santos C, Eeles RA, Kote-Jarai Z, Muir K, Ukgpcs Collaborators, Schleutker J, Wang Y, Pashayan N, Batra J, Apcb BioResource, Grönberg H, Neal DE, Nordestgaard BG, Tangen CM, Southey MC, Wolk A, Albanes D, Haiman CA, Travis RC, Stanford JL, Mucci LA, West CML, Nielsen SF, Kibel AS, Cussenot O, Berndt SI, Koutros S, Sørensen KD, Cybulski C, Grindedal EM, Park JY, Ingles SA, Maier C, Hamilton RJ, Rosenstein BS, Vega A, The Impact Study Steering Committee And Collaborators, Kogevinas M, Wiklund F, Penney KL, Brenner H, John EM, Kaneva R, Logothetis CJ, Neuhausen SL, Ruyck K, Razack A, Newcomb LF, Canary Pass Investigators, Lessel D, Usmani N, Claessens F, Gago-Dominguez M, Townsend PA, Roobol MJ, The Profile Study Steering Committee, The Practical Consortium, Teixeira MR. The CHEK2 variant c.349A>G is associated with prostate cancer risk and carriers share a common ancestor. Cancers (Basel). 2020; 12(11):3254. doi: 10.3390/cancers12113254. PMID: 33158149.
Paulo P, Maia S, Pinto C, Pinto P, Monteiro A, Peixoto A, Teixeira MR. Targeted next generation sequencing identifies functionally deleterious germline mutations in novel genes in early-onset/familial prostate cancer. PLoS Genet. 2018; 14(4):e1007355. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007355. PMID: 29659569.

PATENTS

(2012) Methods and biomarkers for detection of bladder cancer; US 20130210011/ EP 2630261 A1/ WO 2012052844 A1 (in collaboration Oslo University Hospital).

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

José Bessa, PhD | i3S
Hélder Maiato, PhD | i3S
Carla Oliveira, PhD | i3S
Joana Paredes, PhD | i3S

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Luis G Carvajal-Carmona, PhD
UC Davis Genome Center | USA

Rosalind Eeles, MD, PhD (PRACTICAL consortium and IMPACT study)
Institute of Cancer Research | UK

Georgia Chenevix-Trench, PhD, FAA (CIMBA consortium)
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | Australia

Douglas Easton, PhD (BCAC consortium)
University of Cambridge | UK

Amanda Spurdle, PhD (ENIGMA consortium)
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | Australia

Nicoline Hoogerbrugge, MD, PhD (European Reference Network on Genetic Tumour Risk Syndromes, GENTURIS)
Radboud university medical center | The Netherlands

Molecular Oncology & Viral Pathology Group

The main aim of the Group, established in 2002, is the characterization of molecular mechanisms associated with cancer development and response to treatment, through the identification of molecular biomarkers, such as genetic polymorphisms, mRNAs, microRNAs, LncRNAs and viral genomes. Within the scope of Precision Medicine, the Group is focused on the study and identification of circulating biomarkers, analyzed by minimally invasive techniques, with clinical applicability, focusing its studies on the definition of risk groups, optimization of therapeutic strategies and study of the communication network established between hosts and tumor microenvironment.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Rui Medeiros, PharmD, PhD
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3010-8373/C51F-5DBE-9C51
Head of Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group | Director of Research Department from Portuguese League Against Cancer – North Branch | Board member European Cancer Organization
Email: ruimedei@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM

Senior Investigators

Hugo Sousa, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0001-5795-2131
Superior Technician
Email: hugo.sousa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Junior Researchers

Ana Luísa Pereira Teixeira, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-7489-2211/ 391C-0BD8-CCF0
Email: ana.luisa.teixeira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Francisca Guilherme Carvalho Dias, PhD
ORCID ID/ CIÊNCIA ID: 0000-0002-4993-4467 / 851B-027C-DCB3
Email: francisca.carvalho.dias@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Invited Researchers

Áurea Rosa Nunes Pereira Lima, MD, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-9779-0584/ A212-12E7-7E9E
Medical Oncology, Resident @ Centro Hospitalar de Entre-Douro e Vouga
Email: aurea.lima@chedv-min.saude.pt

Carina Sofia Teixeira Fernandes, PhD
IORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-8258-1448/ 5A1B-358C-C56C
Assistant Professor @ University Fernando Pessoa
Email: carinafernandes@ufp.edu.pt

Maria de Fátima Araújo Magalhães Cerqueira, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4513-4654/ CF14-52ED-5DA0
Associate Professor @ University Fernando Pessoa
Email: fatimaf@ufp.edu.pt

Maria Raquel Silva
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8170-3119/ 2518-6117-FB25
Associate Professor @ University Fernando Pessoa
Email: raquel@ufp.edu.pt

Mariana Gomes Morais, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-8406-8210/ 4215-FC71-B1B7
Operations Manager-MEERU | Make Way
Email: mariana.gomes.morais@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Marlene Elisabete Moreira dos Santos Lima
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5020-5942/ 8311-B967-31C4
Coordinating Professor @ The School of Health (ESS)
Email: mes@ess.ipp.pt

Mónica Patrícia Silva Gomes, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-9947-5775/ 5B1A-9FE9-A3AA
PostDoc Researcher | Superior Technician @ Portuguese League Against Cancer – North
Email: monica.gomes@ligacontracancro.pt

Rui Miguel Gil da Costa Oliveira, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-2151-2449/ 0318-98C4-ADCF
Senior Visiting Professor@ University of Maranhão
Email: rmcosta@fe.up.pt

Research Assistant

Beatriz Ferreira Almeida, BSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-1674-3576/ E013-DC6E-0137
Email: beatrizfalmeida@ua.pt

Beatriz Neto, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5955-9904/ 2617-E240-6096
Email: i37300@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Other collaborators/ Superior Technicians

Catarina Castro, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-8970-6493/ 0317-97B3-F4C7
Superior Technician
Email: i13069@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Tatiana Nunes Varandas, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5125-3273/ 4F17-4D1E-F11F
Superior Technician
Email: tatiana.varandas@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

PhD Students

Ana Carolina da Mota Carvalho Ferreira, MD, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5400-9447/ C913-FCA3-A39D
Email: carolina.ferreira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana da Conceição Saraiva e Sousa, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3128-3328/ AB17-B086-334A
Email: ana.tavares@ipb.pt

Andreia Filipa da Silva Rosário, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4348-0596/ C31C-5972-87F7
Email: andreia.rosario@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Beatriz Medeiros Fonseca, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3909-5903/ 531E-32B9-9138
Email: fonsecabeatriz@live.com.pt

Carla Manuela Moutinho Silva Campos, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 000-002-6220-4469/ A71C-B158-BC1F
Email: carla.campos@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Isabel Meireles, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-4513-4654/ CF14-52ED-5DA0
Email: isabeldmeireles@gmail.com

Tânia Rôlo Dias, MSc
Ciência ID: F31A-CC37-EC54
Email: tania.dias@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Tiago Terras Ferreira
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-6652-9770/ 5812-0F6E-B44E
Email: tiagoterras55@gmail.com

Valéria Delgado Tavares, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-3680-7757/ B715-3863-A1DA
Email: valeria.tavares@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

MSc Students

Ângela Alves; Email: i40014@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Ana Leão; Email: ana.leao@ipoporto.min-saude.pt.
Ian Soto; Email: up202301316@edu.icbas.up.pt
Inês Marques; Email: ines.soares@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Inês Melo; Email: ines.melo@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Inês Mota; Email: ines.mota@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Mariana Ferreira; Email: i40016@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Vânia Dias; Email: vaniacdias05@gmail.com

Aims

One major line of research is to try clarify the dynamic network that is established between the host and tumor microenvironment, analyzing several types of molecular biomarkers (genetic polymorphisms, mRNAs, microRNAs, LncRNAs and viral genomes) to improve our predictive capacity. The key goal of our research will be the development of rational pharmacogenomics algorithms based on a patient’s genomic profile in association with other molecular biomarkers, demographics factors, disease state, as well as other co-administered drugs to improve patient’s management using mainly a liquid biopsy and a Precision Medicine approach. Furthermore, considering the key role of several virus in oncobiology, the group also develops studies in the field of tumor virology, studying the association of viral pathogenesis (SARS-CoV, HPV, CMV and Epstein-Barr Virus) with carcinogenesis.

PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL FUNDING

OnCOVac.PT; Evaluation of the Immunologic Response to COVID-19 Vaccination in Oncological Patients
Funded by AstraZeneca; Budget: 460 000.00€
PI and Co-PI: Júlio Oliveira | Rui Medeiros

The Portuguese Health Authorities declared the existence of active community transmission of COVID-19 virus since 26 of March 2020 and state of emergency was declared in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. Cancer patients are more susceptible to infection compared to healthy people and noncancer patients. That predisposition has been historically related to the systemic malignancy-related immunosuppressive state and to active disease-oriented treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Despite the limited data, medical organizations and cancer experts indicate for vaccination most cancer patients. However, more data are needed on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the effect of vaccine booster doses, in people with compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is expected that cancer patients would be more prone to have a weaker response to vaccination. In addition, the non-responders to the vaccine will be at greater risk of developing COVID-19 infection, and subsequent complications. The importance of this issue is growing in the scientific community since there are new anti-COVID-19 therapies emerging that could benefit the non-responders and prevent them from developing aggressive forms of infection. Therefore, it is imperative to study the immunological response of cancer patients to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination to get more insight on the percentage of non-responders and to study new molecular, genetic and epigenetic biomarkers that enable the distinction between responders and non-responders.

Publications

Almeida B, Dias TR, Teixeira AL, Dias F, Medeiros R. MicroRNAs Derived from Extracellular Vesicles: Keys to Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Response in Cancer Patients? Cancers (Basel). 2023 Aug 8;15(16):4017. doi: 10.3390/cancers15164017

Dias TR, Dias F, Teixeira AL, Sousa H, Oliveira J, Medeiros R. MicroRNAs as Potential Tools for Predicting Cancer Patients’ Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination Response. Cells. 2022;11(15), doi: 10.3390/cells11152279

PAINLESS; Pain relief in palliative care of cancer using home-based neuromodulation and predictive biomarkers
Funded by European Union, Horizon Europe Initiative HORIZON-HLTH-2021-DISEASE-04 (2022-2027)
Ref.: 101057243; Budget: 5 952 245.00 € (IPO Porto 342 250.00 €)
PI@IPO Porto: Rui Medeiros
Project Team: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, IPO Porto, Servizo Galego de Saude, Universitaets medizing Goettingen, Aalborg Universitet, Hospice Casa Sperantei, Technion -Israel Institute of Technology, Institutul Oncologic Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu Bucuresti, European Association of Palliative Care, European Cancer Patient Coalition, Neuroconn Gmbh, Betthera S.r.o., Software Imagination &Vision Srl, Qst.lab, Mentalab Gmbh, Association Europeenne des Ligues Contre Le Cancer Asbl

More than 50% of cancer patients develop pain before death: 80% can be treated with drugs, but 20% show a low response or have serious adverse effects. Although non-pharmacological interventions such as neurosurgical procedures have been tested, these alternatives are not a preferred option to treat cancer pain due to their high cost, risk, invasiveness and not always proven efficacy. PAINLESS addresses a core component of pain relief, by using an innovative, evidence-based approach. The objective is to adapt and implement a novel, cost-effective, home-based intervention based on neuromodulation to reduce pain and improve quality of life of cancer patients with chronic pain. On the assumption that treatment of chronic pain can benefit from research on the brain mechanisms of pain, we will first attempt to improve our understanding of the role of central pain modulation. The project will be organized in 3 studies: 1) A cohort, longitudinal study to explore whether the biomarkers of central pain modulation mechanisms can be predictive of the future occurrence of chronic pain in cancer patients; 2) A cross-sectional study to characterize and stratify cancer patients with vs. without chronic pain; 3) A pilot study to assess the feasibility an efficacy of at-home delivery of transcranial low intensity electric stimulation (tES) for the palliative care of cancer patients suffering from pain PAINLESS will develop a customized web portal to share knowledge and to improve management of the patients; perform technoeconomic analyses and Health Technology Assessment of the solution; analyze the possibilities of implementation in different European healthcare systems and results exploitation; and undertake an ambitious dissemination and communication strategy. We will also propose a wide range of measures to ensure compliance with the highest ethical standards.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

EXOmiRs4RCC; Renal cell carcinoma-derived exosome: the microRNA content as a new disease predictive biomarker and an opportunity to invasive/metastatic disease management under the genetic background
REF: CI-IPOP-21-2015;
02/01/2019 – 30/12/2025
Budget: 5000€
PI and Co-PI: Ana Luísa Teixeira | Rui Medeiros

One of the biggest paradigms in oncobiology is the lack of evidence regarding what causes a tumor to metastasize. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of the metastatic process will significantly improve the clinical management of the disease. The analysis of circulating miRNAs may provide an opportunity for the definition of new and more accessible molecular biomarkers, useful for renal cell carcinoma progression motoring, opening new possibilities for the development of new targeted therapies. Extracellular vesicles-related miRNAs (EVs-miRNAs) may be useful to characterize the disease progression, allowing therapeutic adjustment before the development of metastases, improving patient survival. The analysis of an EVs-miRNAs profile, which could be analyzed in blood samples, may be a more accurate and less invasive strategy, with the capacity to predict disease progression.
Additionally, the identification of functional genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins involved in the biogenesis of miRNAs could be a useful and complementary approach in understanding their regulation.

Publications

Teixeira AL, Patrão AS, Dias F, Silva C, Vieira I, Silva JF, Ferreira M, Morais A, Maurício J and Medeiros R. AGO2 expression levels and related genetic polymorphisms: influence in renal cell progression and aggressive phenotypes. Pharmacogenomics 2021. 22(16):1069-1079, doi: 10.2217/pgs-2021-0072

Dias F; Teixeira AL; Nogueira I; Morais M; Maia J; Bodo C; Ferreira M; Silva A; Vilhena M; Lobo, J; et al. Extracellular Vesicles Enriched in hsa-miR-301a-3p and hsa-miR-1293 Dynamics in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: Potential Biomarkers of Metastatic Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2020, 12, doi:10.3390/cancers12061450

Dias F.; Teixeira AL; Nogueira I; Morais M; Maia J; Bodo C; Ferreira M; Vieira I; Silva J; Lobo J; et al. Plasma Extracellular Vesicle-Derived TIMP-1 mRNA as a Prognostic Biomarker in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study. Int J MolSci 2020, 21, doi:10.3390/ijms21134624

EUPICPHARMADCP; Pharmacogenomic determinants of therapeutic response of urogynecological cancer
REF.: CI-IPOP-22-2015
01/01/2016 – 30/12/2025
Budget: 5000€
PI: Rui Medeiros

This line of research aims the characterization of the molecular mechanisms associated with the cancer onset and with therapeutic outcome, through the identification of molecular biomarkers. Within the framework of Precision Medicine, the aim is especially focused on the study and validation of circulating cancer biomarkers with clinical relevance. Patients’ stratification and optimization of current therapy approaches are important outcomes (Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Epidemiology) from this knowledge. Since the beginning, Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group research on Pharmacogenomics and Comparative Personalized Medicine or Precision Medicine incorporated individualized genetic information to understand how this individuality may influence therapeutic responses, drug efficacy, drug side effects, and adverse events related to drug therapy.

Publications

Neto BV, Tavares V, da Silva JB, Liz-Pimenta J, Marques IS, Carvalho L, Salgado L, Pereira D, Medeiros R. Thrombogenesis-associated genetic determinants as predictors of thromboembolism and prognosis in cervical cancer. Sci Rep. 2023, 13 1: 9519-9519. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36161-w.

Silva J, Tavares V, Afonso A, Garcia J, Cerqueira F, Medeiros R. Plasmatic MicroRNAs and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study and In Silico Analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023, 24 10: 9101-9101. doi.org/10.3390/ijms24109101

Abreu, SC, Tavares, V, Carneiro, F and Medeiros, R. Venous thromboembolism and prostate cancer: what about genetic markers? Pharmacogenomics. 2021, 22, doi: https://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2020-0094

Afonso, A.; Silva, J.; Lopes, A.R.; Coelho, S.; Patrão, A.S.; Rosinha, A.; Carneiro, F.; Pinto, A.R.; Maurício, M.J.; Medeiros, R. YB-1 variant and androgen receptor axis-targeted agents in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Pharmacogenomics 2020, 21, 919-928, doi:10.2217/pgs-2020-0008

Tavares, V, Pinto, R, Assis, J, Coelho, S, Brandão, M, Alves, S, Pereira, D and Medeiros, Implications of venous thromboembolism GWAS reported genetic makeup in the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients. The pharmacogenomics journal. 2021, 21) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41397-020-00201-9

Cardoso J, Medeiros R, Dias F, Costa I, Ferrari R, Berardo P and Perini J. DROSHA rs10719 and DICER rs3742330 polymorphisms in endometriosis and different diseases: Case-control and review studies. Exp Mol Pathol 2021, 119:104616. Doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2021.104616

Brausi, M.; Hoskin, P.; Andritsch, E.; Banks, I.; Beishon, M.; Boyle, H.; Colecchia, M.; Delgado-Bolton, R.; Höckel, M.; Leonard, K.; et al. ECCO Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care: Prostate cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020, 148, 102861, doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.102861.

Morais, M.; Dias, F.; Resende, T.; Nogueira, I.; Oliveira, J.; Maurício, J.; Teixeira, A.L.; Medeiros, R. Leukocytetelomerelength and hTERT genetic polymorphism rs2735940 influence the renal cell carcinoma clinical outcome. Future Oncol 2020, 16, 1245-1255, doi:10.2217/fon-2019-0795

Morais, M.; Dias, F.; Teixeira, A.L.; Medeiros, R. Telomere Length in Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Jekyll and Hyde Biomarker of Ageing of the Kidney. Cancer Manag Res 2020, 12, 1669-1679, doi:10.2147/cmar.S211225

Pinto, A.R.; Silva, J.; Pinto, R.; Medeiros, R. Aggressive prostate cancer phenotype and genome-wide association studies: where are we now? Pharmacogenomics 2020, 21, 487-503, doi:10.2217/pgs-2019-0123

Tavares, V.; Pinto, R.; Assis, J.; Pereira, D.; Medeiros, R. Venous thromboembolism GWAS reported genetic makeup and the hallmarks of cancer: Linkage to ovarian tumour behaviour. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020, 1873, 188331, doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.188331

Cardoso, J.V.; Perini, J.A.; Machado, D.E.; Pinto, R.; Medeiros, R. Systematic review of genome-wide association studies on susceptibility to endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020, 255, 74-82, doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.10.017

MIRNAVIRAL; microRNA-mediated viral regulation of the tumor microenvironment
REF.: CI-IPOP-66-2017
01/01/2018 – 30/12/2025
Budget: 5000€
PI: Rui Medeiros

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiologic agent of several types of cancer. Tissue Microenvironment role as either a driving or opposing force for cancer progression remains controversial. MicroRNAs/LncRNAs are proposed to be dysregulated in several HPV-induced cancers, and can influence cell biology. This study/line of research aims to evaluate MicroRNAs/LncRNAs potentially regulating this process.

Publications

Costa AC, Santos JMO, Medeiros-Fonseca B, Oliveira PA, Bastos MMSM, Brito HO, Gil da Costa RM, Medeiros R. Characterizing the Inflammatory Microenvironment in K14-HPV16 Transgenic Mice: Mast Cell Infiltration and MicroRNA Expression.
Cancers (Basel). 2022 Apr 28;14(9):2216, doi: 10.3390/cancers14092216

Dias TR, Santos JMO, Estêvão D, Costa NR, Mestre VF, Medeiros-Fonseca B, Bastos MMSM, Oliveira PA, Gil DA Costa RM, Medeiros R. Expression of LncRNAs in HPV-induced Carcinogenesis and Cancer Cachexia: A Study in K14-HPV16 Mice.
Anticancer Res. 2022 May;42(5):2443-2460, doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15723

Brito HO, Calixto JRR, Medeiros R, da Costa RMG. Comment on DKK1 inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in human papillomavirus-positive penile cancer cells. Transl Oncol. 2022 Feb;16:101326, doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101326

Dias, T.R., Santos, J.M.O.,Gil da Costa, R.M.,Medeiros, R., Long non-coding RNAs regulate the hallmarks of cancer in HPV-induced malignancies, Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 161 (2021) 103310, doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103310

Costa, A.C., Santos, J.M.O., Gil da Costa, R.M.,Medeiros, R., Impact of immune cells on the hallmarks of cancer: A literature review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 168 (2021) 103541 DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103541

Mestre, V.F.; Medeiros-Fonseca, B.; Estêvão, D.; Casaca, F.; Silva, S.; Félix, A.; Silva, F.; Colaço, B.; Seixas, F.; Bastos, M.M.; Medeiros R et al. HPV16 is sufficient to induce squamous cell carcinoma specifically in the tongue base in transgenic mice. The Journal of Pathology 2020, 251, 4-11, doi:10.1002/path.5387

Peixoto da Silva S, Santos JMO, Mestre VF, Medeiros-Fonseca B, Oliveira PA, M MSMB, Gil da Costa RM, Medeiros R: Human papillomavirus 16-transgenic mice as a model to study cancer-associated cachexia. Internationaljournal of molecular sciences 2020, 21(14).

NeutroSAC; Cachexia Anorexia Syndrome and its Clinical, Pharmacogenomic and Biochemistry
REF.: CI-IPOP-118-2019
01/01/2020-31/12/2025
Budget: 5000€
PI: Rui Medeiros

A syndrome called cachexia is often present in cancer patients, increasing morbidity and mortality. It is known that inflammatory cytokines are key players during the development of this syndrome. Furthermore, microRNAs have also emerged as important molecules in cachexia. We hypothesize that microRNAs may act as mediators in inflammation-induced cachexia.

Publications

Mota INR, Satari S, Marques IS, Santos JMO, Medeiros R. Adipose tissue rearrangement in cancer cachexia: The involvement of β3-adrenergic receptor associated pathways. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2024 May;1879(3):189103. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189103

Liz-Pimenta J, Tavares V, Neto BV, Santos JMO, Guedes CB, Araújo A, Khorana AA, Medeiros R. Thrombosis and cachexia in cancer: Two partners in crime? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023 Jun;186:103989. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103989.

Dias TR, Santos JMO, Estêvão D, Costa NR, Mestre VF, Medeiros-Fonseca B, Bastos MMSM, Oliveira PA, Gil DA Costa RM, Medeiros R. Expression of LncRNAs in HPV-induced Carcinogenesis and Cancer Cachexia: A Study in K14-HPV16 Mice. Anticancer Res. 2022 May;42(5):2443-2460. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15723. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15723.

Santos JMO, Peixoto da Silva S, Bastos MMSM, Oliveira PA, Gil da Costa RM, Medeiros R. Decoding the role of inflammation-related microRNAs in cancer cachexia: a study using HPV16-transgenic mice and in silico approaches. J Physiol Biochem. 2022 May;78(2):439-455. doi: 10.1007/s13105-021-00866-1.

Santos JMO, Costa AC, Dias TR, Satari S, Costa E Silva MP, da Costa RMG, Medeiros R. Towards Drug Repurposing in Cancer Cachexia: Potential Targets and Candidates. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Oct 26;14(11):1084. doi:10.3390/ph14111084.

Selected publications (up to five)

Tavares I, Morais M, Dias F, Medeiros R, Teixeira AL. Deregulated miRNAs in enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer: A comprehensive review of key molecular alterations and clinical outcomes. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2024 Mar;1879(2):189067, doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189067.

Rosário A, Sousa A, Varandas T, Marinho-Dias J, Medeiros R, Martins G, Monteiro P, Sousa H. Impact of cervicovaginal microbiome on the risk of cervical abnormalities development. J Med Virol. 2023;95(5):e28762, doi: 10.1002/jmv.28762

Rosário A, Sousa A, Marinho-Dias J, Medeiros R, Lobo C, Leça L, Coimbra N, Tavares F, Baldaque I, Martins G, Monteiro P, Henrique R, Sousa H. Impact of high-risk Human Papillomavirus genotyping in cervical disease in the Northern region of Portugal: Real-world data from regional cervical cancer screening program. J Med Virol. 2023;95(1):e28414 doi10.1002/jmv.28414

Almeida C, Teixeira AL, Dias F, Morais M, Medeiros R. Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Therapeutic Messengers in Cancer Management. Biology (Basel). 2023 Apr 27;12(5):665. doi: 10.3390/biology12050665.

NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Adhemar Longatto, School of Life and Health Sciences at the University of Minho

Alberto Araújo, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto

Bruno Costa-Silva, Champallimaud Foundation

Fátima Barroso, ISEP | REQUIMTE LAQV

Herlander Marques, School of Life and Health Sciences at the University of Minho

João Prior, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto | REQUIMTE LAQV

José Carlos Machado, IPATIMUP/ I3S

Margarida Bastos, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto

Paula A.M. Oliveira, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

David Boutolleau, Universidade Sorbonne, UPMC Université, Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, France
Paris, France;

Jamila Perini, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswald Cruz, Brazil

Kirsi Mikkonen, Department of Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Florestry, Helsinki University, Finland

Klaas Kok, Departamento Genética, Universidade Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Netherlands

Patrícia Figueiredo, Department of Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Florestry, Helsinki University, Finland

Peter S. Nelson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), USA

Rui Gil da Costa, Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil

Clinical Research Unit

The Clinical Research Unit, created in the beginning of 2006 and located on the 5th floor of the Medicine Building, has the following primary objectives: attract to IPO-Porto the best Clinical Trials in the world; support their execution, monitor the compliance of the respective protocols and procedures, promoting involvement of the largest possible number of professionals in the institution. As a consequence of the work developed, supported by a professionalized team, a progressive and sustained growth of Clinical Trials and patients recruited has been registered, reducing the implementation time, with the consequent gain in competitiveness. For these reasons, IPO-Porto is currently a reference centre for Clinical Trials performed in Portugal in the large majority of pathologies treated in the institution. Being present at the highest level of Clinical Trials demands great discipline and dedication from all professionals. The Clinical Research Unit expects to maintain, in the next few years, the sustained growth in performance and encourage participation in Clinical Trials in even earlier phases (Phase I and II), namely with the creation of a specific unit for Phase I Trials. To make these objectives come true, IPO-Porto counts on the cooperation of everyone.

Oncology Nursing Research Unit

The group was established in 2022 and integrates nurses, mainly from IPO Porto, who are interested in developing research in cancer nursing. It aims to contribute to patient-centred care through the understanding of the phenomena associated with the oncological disease and its treatment, as well as its impact in patient-reported outcomes. Its mission is also to stimulate and develop research in cancer nursing at IPO Porto, through the enhancement of the skills of its professionals.

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Rui Costa, RN, MA, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-7040-3487 / 4E16-8BAA-8FA5 ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-7040-3487 / 4E16-8BAA-8FA5
Nurse at Occupational Medicine Service, IPO Porto. President of the Portuguese Society for Nursing History (SPHE)
Email: rui.costa@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

TEAM

Senior Researchers

Isabel Veiga Malta, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3229-0677 / 1911-2A0A-7240
Director of the Sterilization Service
Email: isabel.malta@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Maria Esmeralda Reis Barreira, RN, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5880-1669 / 341E-D243-5BE3
Specialist nurse at the Lung Clinic
Email: ebarreira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Rosa Maria Andrade Proença, PhD
Ciência ID: 6813-201C-7174
Higher Technician at the Portuguese School of Oncology in Porto
Email: rosa.proenca@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Junior Researchers

Ana Maria Gomes Almeida, RN, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-9725-4159 / 321E-7BD3-AD75
Nurse at the Department of Imaging Sciences and Radioncology, IPO Porto
Email: ana.m.almeida@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Research Assistants

Ana Cristina Rodrigues, RN, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-1670-8842 / 5016-3F18-58F6
Specialist Nurse at Nephrology Service – Hemodialysis Unit, IPO Porto
Email: anacrodrigues@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Ana Maria Trigo Macedo Martins, RN, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-5678-4575 / 1B11-4884-D8E6
Specialist Nurse at the Surgical Oncology Service, IPO Porto
Email: amaria.martins@ ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Andreia Jorge Neves Salvini Guimarães Vieira, RN, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0009-0002-1767-838X / BB1D-956E-2EE5
Specialist Nurse at the Outpatient Operating Room, IPO Porto
Email: andreiasalvini@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Diana Ramada, RN, MSc
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4347-4471 / 4B11-C6D1-15D1
Specialist Nurse at the Center for Therapeutic Innovation in Oncology (CITO), IPO Porto
Email: diana.ramada@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Investigadores Convidados

Bruno Magalhães, RN, MSc, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-6049-8646 / 3911-5498-3A15
Coordinating teacher at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)
Email: brunomm@utad.pt

Daniela França, RN, MSc, PhD
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-3687-8312 / D11F-BF21-66E3
Adjunct Professor at Escola Superior de Saúde de Santa Maria
Email: daniela.franca@ipoporto.min.saude.pt

PhD Students

Carla Regina Rodrigues da Silva, RN, MSc. PhD Student at the Portuguese Catholic University (UCP)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-5147-2751 / CA1A-6620-402F
Specialist nurse at the Surgical Oncology Service, IPO Porto. Assistant Professor at Escola Superior de Saúde Norte Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa. President of the Portuguese Society of Oncology Nursing (SPEO)
Email: carla.r.silva@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Maria José Silva Dias, RN, MSc. PhD Student at the University of Barcelona
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0003-0104-8156 / D515-E6F7-50E2
Specialist nurse at the Gastroenterology Service, IPO Porto
Email: mjose.dias@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Sara Manuela de Sousa Ferreira da Cruz, RN, MSc. PhD Student at the University of Porto – Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS)
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0001-7522-2802 / 6F14-F76C-AE5A
Specialist nurse at the Surgical Oncology Service, IPO Porto. Invited Adjunct Professor at Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU)
Email: sara.ferreira@ipoporto.min-saude.pt

Luís Filipe Gonçalves da Silva, PT, RDN, MSc. PhD Student at the University of Coruña
ORCID ID/ Ciência ID: 0000-0002-4423-7443 / 6E1A-A675-49F4
Technical Director, Project Manager and responsible for the Nutrition consultation of rare neuromuscular diseases of the Portuguese Association of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Email: flip.goncalves@gmail.com

Aims

The group aims to contribute to the understanding of the processes associated with cancer disease, and to assess the impact of interventions focused on people and their families/caregivers. The priority areas of research are monitoring of complications and adherence to therapeutic regimen, digital transition and innovation, innovation in oncology and professional satisfaction and identity.

PROJECTS WITH INTERNAL FUNDING

Selected publications (up to five)

Moura, D.B., de Fátima Sousa Andrade D., Silva, C.R., Soares-Pinto, I.E. Environmental Comfort in Promoting Sleep in Critically Ill Patients: A Scoping Review. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2024; May-Jun 01;43(3):146-157.

Sílvia Fernandes, C., Belém Vale, M., Magalhães, B., Castro, J., Azevedo, M., Lourenço, M. Developing a Card Game for Assessment and Intervention in the Person and the Family in Palliative Care: ” Pallium Game”. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(2):1449.

Salta, S., Lobo, J., Magalhães, B., Henrique, R., Jerónimo, C. DNA methylation as a triage marker for colposcopy referral in HPV-based cervical cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Epigenetics. 2023; Aug 2;15(1):125.

Gonçalves, F., Cabral, S., Moreira, A. P., Cunha, J., Magalhães, B. Characterization and monitoring of nutritional risk and nutritional status in oncological patients admitted to an oncological surgery unit: A longitudinal study. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023; 57:637-646.

Cunha, R., Ochoa, C., Pires, L.; Morais, M., Costa, R., Rocha, L. COVID-19 vaccine booster in healthcare workers – reasons for refusing. Pulmonology. 2022 Nov-Dec;28(6):476-477.