On 5 February, the Marinada Self-Help Group visited VHIO to present a cheque to Dr Cristina Saura, with funds raised through #reptemarinadavng2025.
The meeting symbolised the organisation’s strong commitment to breast cancer research.
Marinada is a group made up of women who live with or have lived with this disease. Active since 2005 in Vilanova i la Geltrú, it provides support to women across the region through workshops, talks, a wig service and various activities aimed at restoring physical and emotional wellbeing following a diagnosis.
In addition to its community work, Marinada actively participates in training and coordination initiatives, both nationally —through the Spanish Federation of Breast Cancer (FECMA) at the Menéndez Pelayo International University— and at regional level in Catalonia, through meetings with organisations that form part of FACATMA, the Federation of Breast Cancer Associations of Catalonia.
MARINADA’S ANNUAL CHALLENGE SUPPORTS LIQUID BIOPSY RESEARCH AT VHIO
Thanks to the organisation of several fundraising activities throughout 2025, the group has raised 5.000€. This amount will be allocated in full to a VHIO research project focused on studying liquid biopsy as a tool for early breast cancer detection.
This innovative technique, based on the analysis of blood samples, enables the detection of cancer at an earlier stage in a less invasive way, allows for more precise monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment, and facilitates the earlier diagnosis of relapses in high-risk patients.
All funds raised through the annual challenge will support a joint project by the VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group and the Cell Cycle and Cancer Group.
Dr Cristina Saura, Head of the Breast Cancer Unit at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and Head of the Breast Cancer Group at VHIO, explains:
“We have begun prospectively collecting blood samples from patients with localised luminal breast cancer at the time of diagnosis, but who are at high risk of recurrence, in order to study them in depth and identify biomarkers that will allow us to predict which patients are likely to relapse.”
Dr Nadia Gomez, Medical Oncologist and member of the VHIO Breast Cancer Group, adds:
“The ultimate goal is that, in the future, we will be able to escalate or de-escalate treatments according to the information provided by these biomarkers.”
Dr Marcos Malumbres, Head of the VHIO Cell Cycle and Cancer Group and ICREA Professor, states:
“With this project, we can decipher the mechanisms that drive the proliferation of tumour cells and understand why, in some patients, tumours do not respond to the available therapies. The aim is to evaluate new therapeutic options for patients at high risk of relapse and to be able to select the most appropriate treatment as early as possible”.
The collaboration between both VHIO research groups will help advance towards a more personalised treatment approach for this type of patient. This will improve clinical decision-making and reduce the need for more invasive treatments.
Thank you, Marinada, for your commitment and solidarity.
