Maitane Marquez Lopez is a PhD student at the Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Spain who received an EACR Travel Fellowship to visit and work at the Francis Crick Institute, UK between January and April 2024.
The EACR, with support from Worldwide Cancer Research, provides Travel Fellowships of up to €3,500 to enable early-career cancer researchers to gain new skills through a short-term visit to a lab or research group in another country.
You can read about other Travel Fellows and their experiences here.
Name: Maitane Marquez Lopez
Job title: PhD student
Home institute: Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Spain
Host institute: Francis Crick Institute, UK
Dates of visit: 08 January – 08 April 2024
Research: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, often linked to a gene called VHL. Mutations in this gene lead to a state that promotes tumour growth with HIF2α as a main driver. Immunotherapy has demonstrated promising results stimulating immune-response against ccRCC tumours, but lacks universal efficacy. Our study investigates the combination of immunotherapy with HIF2α inhibitor, using ex vivo models of ccRCC. These models retain the tumour environment closely, aiding in understanding treatment responses, especially in the context of immunotherapy.
How did you choose the host lab for your EACR Travel Fellowship?
I performed my stay in the Cancer Dynamics Lab at the Francis Crick Institute led by Professor Samra Turajlic. The main reason why I chose this lab is because of the fact they developed a large translational programme of work within the TRACERx Renal consortium. This is a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at understanding the dynamics of cancer evolution, which can potentially lead to insights and breakthroughs in the treatment of renal cancer. This project has a very relevant translational approach that enhances the transfer of knowledge into clinical practice and encourages patient-oriented research. As part of this program of work, my host lab has established a biobank of prospectively collected human ccRCC tissue, which I have the opportunity to work with in testing my hypothesis.
Can you summarise the research you did?
During my visit, I had the opportunity to learn how to generate and culture ex vivo models of ccRCC and use them as a platform for drug-screening studies using flow cytometry. We studied the phenotype of immune-infiltrated T cells in ex vivo models of ccRCC by looking at different activation, proliferation and exhaustion markers by flow cytometry, and looked into changes when treating them with belzutifan, anti-PD1 immunotherapy and in combination. I also received day-to-day support from postdoctoral fellows Dr. Barbara Ibarzo Yus and Dr. Jonathan Lim. I have been trained in working with patient samples (CL2) and the principles of translational research. I have also become proficient in working within the ex vivo platform (from processing to cultures and flow cytometry) established in the lab, which will form an important addition to my thesis.
Moreover, I benefited from participation in the lab meetings and journal clubs and various educational opportunities offered at the Francis Crick Institute, including seminars, workshops and symposiums. All this training together with the nature of the project helped me to integrate new concepts related to tumour microenvironment and translational oncology that would be useful not only for me, but also for my home institution.
What were you able to do that you could not have achieved in your home lab?
Thanks to this Fellowship, I have had the opportunity to investigate the efficacy of combining anti-PD1 immunotherapy with belzutifan using a ex vivo platform, which have been established as a model that accurately preserves the architecture and composition of the tumour microenvironment. Moreover, this platform can be used to identify baseline TME properties that are associated with specific treatment-induced responses, making them an ideal tool for personalised high-throughput ex vivo drug screening in ccRCC. These models hold immense promise for advancing our understanding of potential treatment modalities in ccRCC, especially in the field of immunotherapy.
In my home lab we studied the effect of belzutifan in ccRCC cell lines, but did not have the possibility to study the combination of both therapies in ex vivo models that enable the assessment of early therapy-induced changes in the tumour tissue.
Have you brought back any specific knowledge or technique that has benefited your home lab?
Thanks to this Fellowship, my home institution can now initiate the process of banking ccRCC fresh tissue and generation of an ex vivo platform, which will significantly bolster our research efforts in this area. Additionally, I acquired valuable skills during this period, particularly in the field of flow cytometry. I learned how to effectively combine multiple extracellular and intracellular markers in flow cytometry assays, and mastered the use of FlowJo software to analyse intricate flow cytometry data sets. These skills will undoubtedly enhance the quality of our research.
How has this trip inspired you in your research?
This experience has profoundly shaped my professional development. Beyond mastering techniques and theoretical concepts, it has introduced me to a novel approach of scientific inquiry. Immersed in a diverse community of individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives, from basic researchers to physicians, I’ve had the invaluable opportunity to glean insights from each of them. This has enabled me to cultivate a more comprehensive understanding of cancer, viewing it not merely as a collection of tumour cells but also considering the intricate interactions involving immune cells infiltrating these tumours. Indeed, this experience reinforced my passion for translational oncology and connected me with researchers in the field that will be crucial in my next step as a postdoctoral researcher.
Did you take part in any interesting local activities during you visit?
My time in London has been exceedingly rewarding on a personal level as well. Among the highlights of my visit was joining the hiking group at the Crick, where I connected with individuals who shared both my professional aspirations and personal hobbies. Exploring various destinations across the UK with them was a delight. Additionally, bonding with my lab mates through activities like yoga and spinning sessions after work greatly enhanced my experience, making my stay truly enjoyable.
“I am deeply appreciative of the impact that this experience will have on my PhD thesis and my future endeavours as a researcher”
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Samra Turajlic for extending me the opportunity to be a part of her esteemed research group and for her unwavering dedication to this project. Additionally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to my supervisors, Dr. Barbara Ibarzo Yus and Dr. Jonathan Lim, for their tireless support, dedication, mentorship and invaluable guidance during these months. Their expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in my growth and progress.
Lastly, I am immensely thankful to the EACR and Worldwide Cancer Research for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. I am deeply appreciative of the impact that this experience will have on my PhD thesis and my future endeavours as a researcher.
Want to find out more?
If you are interested in applying for the Travel Fellowship scheme, please click here for more information: EACR Travel Fellowships.
