In recent years, CIB-CSIC group has focused mainly on the identification and development of new biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in the metastatic progression of colorectal cancer. Our group has identified and characterized the functionality of numerous proteins relevant in colorectal cancer metastasis, including cadherin 17 (CDH17), IL13Rα2, PAUF/ZG16B and SOSTDC1 (see selected publications) that have allowed the development of new therapeutic strategies based on these targets. Our group has made seminal contributions in the field of CDH17-mediated signaling through integrin α2β1 in the progression of liver metastasis in colon cancer. Likewise, our group has pioneered the discovery of the signaling capacity of IL-13 through its receptor IL13Rα2, which to date was considered a “decoy” receptor, in colon cancer and its relationship with inflammation through the tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B and the transcription factor NFκB. Therapeutic antibodies against the RGD motif of cadherin 17 and the IL13/IL13Rα2 binding motif, as well as therapeutic peptides derived from IL13Rα2, have been developed and patented. These patents have been licensed or are in the process of being licensed.

Currently, the specific objectives of the group are:

• Identification and characterization of prognostic and predictive biomarkers for early stages of colon cancer.
• In-depth functional characterization of the IL-13/IL13Rα2 axis in relation to inflammation and metastasis.
• Analysis of metabolic reprogramming in colon cancer liver metastasis. Within this last line of work, the group has recently identified and characterized a panel of proteins related to cholesterol metabolism: NPC2, LIPA, LDLR and PCSK9 that play a key role in liver metastasis. The study of the NPC2 protein is part of the objectives of this cooperative project.

Finally, the group has carried out numerous technology transfer activities as evidenced by the number of patents obtained and licensed in recent years and R&D research contracts with several companies.