Our research group is denominated GE05 Genitourinary diseases, and encompasses a multidisciplinary team of both basic and clinical post-doctoral researchers who are specialized in the area, pre-doctoral researchers, and staff in charge of coordination of clinical trials. All of them are committed to quality translational research.
Our main activities include the study of the tumoral pathology of the genitourinary system and associated oncological research. We develop various lines of research in this area, aimed at the discovery of new biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of urological tumors (Bladder Cancer, Prostate Cancer and Kidney).
Currently, our group carries out several research projects focused on the identification of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer prognostic factors. The results could contribute to the development of a genetic signature test to be used for the prognosis of bladder cancer. A more accurate prognosis is important as it is decisive for the selection of the most optimal and individualized treatment for each patient, thus improving patient care and health outcomes.
We also maintain stable collaboration with the biotechnology company Life length in the context of the European project called ONCOCHECK (that was granted to the company within the Horizon 2020 Framework Program) and more recently PROSTAV (focused on validating the results). ONCOCHECK and PROSTAV aim at deepening the knowledge of genetic factors, such as the measurement of Chromosomal length, which can influence the development of prostate cancer and its clinical evolution. Our group is one of the partners participating in the project’s clinical study in prostate cancer.
In the field of kidney transplantation, our group is focused on the search for new strategies that improve the prognosis of the transplanted organ. Finally, the group's experience in the field of robotic surgery could play an important role in the field of laparoscopic surgery.
Research Lines
We have a long history in the study of the mechanisms involved in the progressive acquisition of specific genetic changes at the cellular level and molecular level in bladder cancer. We study the level of genetic and protein expression of different genes involved in the regulation mechanisms of the cell cycle, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion by metastasis, as well as the genes involved in cell regulation related to cancer progression. Obtaining new specific molecular biomarkers can be useful in the development of diagnostic and prognostic models of bladder carcinoma.
We carry out an observational epidemiological study in collaboration with the Spanish Prostate Cancer Group (GESCAP), on the progression of PCa and the therapeutic approach of patients with this pathology. This study aims to establish an effective non-invasive method for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic stratification of PCa that increases the specificity of PSA and thus avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies. The study involves also an analysis of the current care patterns of PCa in Andalusia and their results in health care.
Our group has led the configuration of the BROCA robot, which is considered the first Spanish Project of Surgical Robot, and represents a major advance in the innovation of laparoscopic surgery techniques. The development of this initiative has already concluded with a prototype derived from three patents, which will lay the foundations of a business project. Setting up a start-up company for the final development and future commercialization of the product is planned.
Networks
Life Length – a biotechnology-based company whose activity focuses on the commercialization of the TAT telomere measurement technique
CTS-172 Urological Pathology (Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation PAIDI)
Keywords
- bladder cancer
- prostate cancer
- kidney transplantation
- biomarkers
- diagnosis
- prognosis
- predictive
- robotic laparoscopic surgery
Additional Information
Awards and Grants
Grant Leonardo de la Peña 2016 for the project: Identification of a panel of molecular biomarkers with prognostic significance in patients with high-grade pT1 bladder cancer. PI: María José Requena Tapia
Grant Leonardo de la Peña 2014 for the project: Study of the expression levels of the proteins of the signaling pathway Pl3CA / AKT and its diagnostic and prognostic / predictive role in urinary bladder cancer. PI: María José Requena Tapia
Research grant Pedro Cifuentes Díaz, within the call for Foundation for the investigation of the year 2012 for the project: Prevalence of renal lithiasis in the population of 40 to 64 years of Andalusia: PreLiRenA Study. Authors: MJose Requena, Fco Jose Anglada, Luis Perula, Miguel Arrabal, Julia Carrasco, Roque Cano
Research grant in Urology Pedro Cifuentes Díaz within the call for Foundation for Research of the year 2010 for the project: Antioxidant therapy in the application of lithotripsy in patients with renal lithiasis. Authors: Anglada Curado FJ, Requena Tapia MJ, Carrasco Valiente J, Padillo Ruiz FJ.
Patents
Authors: Raúl M. Luque Huertas, Justo P. Castaño Fuentes, Manuel D. Gahete Ortíz, Alejandro Ibañez Costa, Daniel Hormaechea Gulla, Juan Manuel Jimenez Vacas, André Moráis Sarmento Borges Cabral, Fernando López López, María José Requena Tapia, Enrique Gómez Gómez, Julia Carrasco Valiente.
Title: Non-invasive diagnostic method of cancer.
Owner: Andalusian Public Health System and University of Cordoba
(In collaboration between GC-08 and GE05)
Authors: María José Requena, Enrique Gómez Gómez, Julia Carrasco Valiente, Jesús Ruiz García, M.D. Luque De Castro, F. Priego Capote, M. Calderón Santiago, María Auxiliadora Fernández Peralbo.
Title: Biomarkers for screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Owner: Andalusian Public Health System and University of Cordoba
(In Collaboration between GE-05 GC-08 and GC-21)
Authors: Rafael Medina Carnicer, Rafael Muñoz Salinas, María José Requena Tapia, José Eduardo Arjona Berral, Rosa María Paredes Esteban, A. Salvatierra Velázquez, Ignacio Muñoz Carvajal,Javier Briceño Delgado, Enrique Bauzano Núñez, Mª Carmen López Casado, Victor Fernando Muñoz Martínez, Julius Klein Hubert, Asier Fernández Iribar.
Title: TOOL COUPLING
Owner: Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, University of Cordoba, Andalusian Public health System, University of Malaga
(In collaboration between GC19 GC18 GE05 GA01 and GA09)
Collaborations
ONCOCHECK Project: European Project, funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Program
Biotechnology company Life Length
