Biomarkers in Cancer – BIOCANCER
The mission of this oncology research group is to promote, foster, and develop multidisciplinary and translational research activities in the field of tumor biology, with a particular focus on identifying new therapeutic targets and discovering diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers of treatment response, ultimately aiming to improve patients’ quality of life. The group’s research objectives include the analysis of prognostic and predictive markers in various types of biological samples from cancer patients, especially those with tumors of the upper respiratory tract. It also focuses on the development of novel methodologies for biomarker analysis in liquid biopsies, which, due to their minimally invasive nature, enable treatment personalization, monitoring, and the study of resistance mechanisms using techniques such as next-generation sequencing and digital PCR. In addition, the Biocancer group investigates the complex interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. The group has also pioneered the development of in vitro 3D lung cancer models, including patient-derived tumor organoids, which represent a key platform for translational research, functional drug testing, and drug repositioning.
CV Prof. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre
Dr. Jantus is a Full Professor of Cell Biology at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). She holds a degree in Biochemistry from Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (Argentina) and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Universidad de Valencia.
Her research focuses on clinical and translational oncology, with sustained contributions in lung cancer, tumor immunoregulation, liquid biopsy, and 3D experimental models reproducing the tumour microenvironment. Her work integrates molecular oncology, immunology, advanced cell modelling, and biomarker discovery to address diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic challenges in solid tumors, generating new hypotheses, analytical tools, and mechanistic insights into immune response, tumor evolution, and treatment resistance. This research has been disseminated through more than 110 scientific articles in high-impact journals, doctoral training, and participation in national and international consortia.
She serves on the editorial boards of Critical Reviews in Oncology and Hematology and The Journal of Liquid Biopsy. She has led numerous national and international research projects and was appointed Vice President of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB).
Research Lines
New technologies in liquid biopsy.
New 3D in vitro models: spheroids and organoids derived from patients.
Cancer – tumoral microenvironment relation.
Highlighted Funding
Small cell lung cancer: from biology networks to tailored therapy (SOSCLC-AECC). Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC). 2024-2029.
Organoides Tumorales para el Estudio de la Resistencia No Genómica Inducida por Plaquetas a los Inhibidores de Tirosina Quinasa del EGFR en Cáncer de Pulmón. Identificación de Nuevos Biomarcadores en Biopsia Líquida. PI25/00455. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. 2026-2028. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre.
Subtype-specific Lung Cancer Organoids based on artificial ECM for Precision Oncology: Closing the Gap Between Preclinical Models and Patient Care. TRANSCAN-3 ERA-NET: Sustained collaboration of national and regional programmes in cancer research (LUNGOIDS). TRANSCAN2024-2930-116, 101102316. European Commission – Horizon CSA. 2025-2028. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre
Making patient-derived tumor organoids a reliable cancer therapy testing platform (TUMORGPLAT). 101236487. European Commission – Horizon-TMA-MSCA-SE. 2025-2028. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre.
A new approach in Precision Immuno-Oncology: development of next-generation patient-derived tumour organoids. Towards personalized neoantigen-based therapeutics. PI22/01221. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. 2023-2025. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre.
Highlighted Publications
Jantus-Lewintre, E.; Patiño-García, A.; Díaz-Lagares, A.J. Reading Between the Lines: Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics Illuminate Immunotherapy Outcomes in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2025. 20(10), 1362-1365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtho.2025.07.011
Martínez-Rojas, B.; Martín-Pérez, S.; Giraldo, E. et al. Stimulation of corticospinal neurons by optogenetic cAMP inductions promotes motor recovery after spinal cord injury in female rats via raphespinal tract modulation. Nature Communications. 2025. 16, 5885. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61018-3
Álvarez-Pérez, J.C.; Sanjuán-Hidalgo, J.; Arenas, A.M. et al. High-fidelity Cas9-mediated targeting of KRAS driver mutations restrains lung cancer in preclinical models. Nature Communications. 2025. 16, 7080. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62350-4
García-Fernández, J.; Díez-Villares, S.; Cascallar, M. et al. Targeted delivery of therapeutics to metastatic lung cancer cells using aptamer-conjugated nanoemulsions. Journal of Controlled Release. 2025. 385, 114031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114031
Torres-Martínez, S.; Calabuig-Fariñas, S.; Moreno-Manuel, A. et al. Soluble galectin-3 as a microenvironment-relevant immunoregulator with prognostic and predictive value in lung adenocarcinoma. Molecular Oncology. 2024. 18, 190-215. https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.13505
Torres-Martínez, S.; Calabuig-Fariñas, S.; Gallach, S. et al. Circulating Immune Proteins: Improving the Diagnosis and Clinical Outcome in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023. 24(24), 17587. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417587
Prof. Rafael Sirera Pérez
Associate Prof. Esther Giraldo Reboloso
Associate Prof. Silvia Calabuig Fariñas