Selected research highlights from CIC’s 2024-2025 scientific activity, spanning genome stability, liver disease, KRAS-driven lung cancer, breast cancer, solid tumors, metastasis, tumor microenvironment and advanced experimental models.
Seven research highlights from the 2024–2025 period. Each links to its source publication where one is available.
CIC scientists revealed an essential role for the E3 ligase RNF212B in mammalian meiosis, showing that it is required for crossover maturation and correct chromosome segregation.
Impact · The findings improve understanding of fertility, aneuploidy and genetic disease by clarifying how genome integrity is preserved across generations.
A study on chronic liver damage demonstrated that EGFR signalling in hepatocytes helps regulate the fibrotic niche, linking this pathway to inflammation and fibrosis progression.
Impact · The work provides a mechanistic basis for exploring EGFR-related strategies in liver disease and hepatobiliary cancer contexts.
A CIC team led by Matthias Drosten showed that the Capicua protein acts as a natural barrier against malignant transformation in this aggressive molecular subtype.
Impact · The findings highlight Capicua’s relevance as a regulator of tumor progression and a potential target for future therapeutic strategies.
CIC teams identified mechanisms of resistance to hormonal therapy, described new predictors of treatment response, and uncovered genes and enzymes associated with poor prognosis or drug resistance in breast cancer.
Impact · These advances support more personalized therapeutic combinations and improved patient selection.
Research at CIC uncovered actionable dependencies in oral squamous carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma.
Impact · The studies open new avenues for targeted intervention by focusing on signaling proteins and regulatory factors that sustain tumor progression, invasion or therapeutic escape.
No external link in source
CIC investigators described mechanisms involved in metastatic progression, macrophage-mediated resolution of inflammation, and immune system contributions to disease development such as mastocytosis.
Impact · These findings reinforce the importance of the tumor microenvironment and systemic immune responses as sources of biomarkers and therapeutic opportunities.
The Center expanded its capacity to study cancer through innovative experimental systems, including liver cancer models, bioengineered mini-colons and methods to analyze organelle contacts without perturbing cellular function.
Impact · These platforms strengthen CIC’s ability to interrogate tumor evolution and treatment response with greater physiological relevance.
