On Friday, May 16, IDIBAPS welcomed representatives from the Association of Families Affected by Lynch Syndrome (AFALynch).
During their visit, the AFALynch delegation had the chance to gain direct insight into the research being conducted by Sergi Castellví-Bel, head of the IDIBAPS group on Genetic Predisposition to Gastrointestinal Cancer, and Francesc Balaguer, head of the Gastroenterology Department at Hospital Clínic and researcher in the IDIBAPS group on Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Oncology. The group also toured the laboratories and the biobank, where biological samples for research are processed and preserved.
One of the highlights of the visit was learning about the STEPUPIORS project. It was discussed that our initiative aims to establish a European network of institutions dedicated to rectal cancer research. The visitors were informed that the project aims to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers by analyzing the molecular profiles of patients at both diagnosis and throughout treatment. It was concluded that the project’s findings are expected to inform evidence-based treatment decisions, refine therapeutic protocols, reduce side effects and healthcare costs, and ultimately improve patient quality of life.
