CANCER GROUP

Our Mission: The Cancer Group at INDICASAT aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of cancer and discover new interventions for its prevention and treatment. Among these interventions, we seek natural compounds that enhance cancer immunotherapies, reduce the likelihood of developing certain cancers, and counteract chemotherapy resistance that affects many cancer types.

Our Objectives:

Characterize the impact of the immune response on the molecular characteristics of various cancers.
Identify the causes and molecular mechanisms that explain regional differences in cancer incidence in Panama.
Explore the potential of natural compounds to boost the immune response against cancer, either to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy or to reduce the likelihood of developing cancers.
Develop preclinical models to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments based on immunotherapy and innovative therapeutic combinations.
Investigate molecular mechanisms that explain the development of drug resistance in various types of cancer.
Apply molecular, genomic, and transcriptomic approaches to better stratify different types of cancer and understand their evolutionary mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Generate scientific evidence to inform public health policies and contribute to the implementation of preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to the needs of the Panamanian population.
Promote national and international collaborations to strengthen research capacity and knowledge transfer in oncology.

Impact:
Our research will lead to a better understanding of the molecular and immune mechanisms that influence cancer development, progression, immune sensitivity, and therapy resistance across various cancer types. It will also help identify environmental and genetic risk factors, serving as a foundation for future prevention and early diagnosis strategies. Additionally, identifying natural compounds with immunomodulatory properties could open new possibilities for accessible and cost-effective therapies, driving significant advancements in cancer treatment in Panama through immunotherapy and immunoprevention.