Rafael López Awarded Ourensanía Prize for Cancer Research

Rafael López (Vilamartín de Valdeorras, 1959) has been announced as the recipient of this year’s Ourensanía award. He serves as Head of the oncology Service at the Santiago de Compostela Hospital Complex and is a highly respected cancer researcher nationally. López also holds the position of president of the Spanish Cancer Research Association (Aseica).

“How do you experience this recognition of your career?” López was asked upon receiving the award.

liquid Biopsy: A Less Invasive Way to Track Cancer Evolution

P. You were one of the first people to promote liquid biopsy in Spain.

R. Yes, liquid biopsy allows the tumor to be studied thru the products it releases into the blood, such as tumor DNA fragments or derived cells. Using very sophisticated techniques, we obtain facts about the tumor without the need for a conventional biopsy. It is a less invasive and potentially continuous way to follow the evolution of cancer,because the tumor changes over time.

P. Does it replace the customary biopsy?

P. Is there a risk of two-speed oncology, with large hospitals more advanced and smaller ones without access?

R. I don’t think so. The liquid biopsy is going to be imposed because it does not depend so much on the hospital as on the reference laboratory. in Spain there are already about 16 or 17 centers that will be able to receive samples from all over the country. Sending a blood sample is cheap and fast, which will maintain high quality at a national level.There will not be if innovation is incorporated in an intelligent and practical way.

P. Another of the great advances in recent years has been immunotherapy.

The Future of Biobanks and Bridging the “Valley of Death” in Medical Research

P. What role will biobanks play in the future?

R. Biobanks are essential. They store biological samples, but they will also have to evolve to manage data. The research will be heavily based on data analysis and artificial intelligence. In Europe, a common health data space is being created, whose first objective is that any citizen can access their medical history from any European hospital. The second,equally critically important,is to take advantage of that information for research. We live in a revolutionary moment in medicine. There are manny changes that we cannot yet fully foresee.

P. There is a lot of talk about the “valley of death”, people who die between the time between scientific discovery and its clinical application. What mechanisms have been put in place to reduce it?

Aseica: Advancing Cancer Research in Spain

aseica is a dynamic association fueled by dedicated individuals. Its core mission is to advance cancer research throughout Spain. The institution focuses on strengthening connections with institutions and integrating diverse expertise into hospital settings. This includes actively recruiting professionals beyond traditional medical roles, such as biologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers.

Aseica also prioritizes raising awareness about the critical need for increased funding. This encompasses both public and private investment. Philanthropy remains underdeveloped in Spain, and Aseica aims to change that. Entrepreneurs should recognize that investing in scientific research represents a highly profitable venture.