Hospital de Cruces

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive cancer with only a 7% 5-year survival rate, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis. In Spain, its incidence is rising, and by 2030, it is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Approximately 3% of PCs occur in the context of hereditary pancreatic cancer (HPC) predisposition syndromes. Studies have shown that up to 40% of genetic mutations associated with PC in individuals under 60 years old would not have been identified using traditional clinical criteria for genetic testing. Presymptomatic genetic testing is recommended for relatives of patients with hereditary syndromes to identify those at higher risk of PC and to include them in screening programs to alter the natural history of the disease. However, there is no robust evidence supporting the best tool for early diagnosis in at-risk individuals. Currently, screening relies on endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, which yield suboptimal results.
Aims: By studying the clinical, molecular, and genetic characteristics of PC patients and their families, this project aims to identify factors conferring higher PC risk and to adopt preventive measures while evaluating the efficacy of current screening strategies. Additionally, the project includes a traslational subproject to identify new hereditary genes associated with increased PC risk and novel molecules (biomarkers, specifically miRNAs) with diagnostic potential. These biomarkers could serve as non-invasive tools to identify individuals at increased risk of PC through blood tests, enabling preventive measures or early diagnosis.
Given the low incidence of PC (albeit with high mortality), collaborative studies are essential to achieve meaningful results. The current project represents the first Spanish multicenter population-based registry for PC, integrating clinical data and biological sample collection alongside a control group. Its goal is to prevent PC and foster collaboration between basic research and clinical application in Spain within a proven collaborative framework.
Establishing the best strategy to detect high-risk individuals for PC within the general population.
Identifying new PC risk genes to expand the identification of at-risk individuals.
Determining effective prevention strategies for high-risk individuals. Creating a national network, "PREVENPANC," for collaborative PC research, including the collection of biological samples (blood) from all enrolled patients.

Background: Creatine supplementation is an effective ergogenic nutrient for athletes, as well as people for people starting a health or fitness program. Resistance training previously been identified as an important method of increasing muscle mass and strength among people, specially in people with cancer to avoid sarcopenia. The potential of creatine supplementation for adaptations produced by strength training in cancer patients are still unknown.
Objective: the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week supervised resistance training program intervention with and without creatine supplementation in patients with breast cancer.
Methods: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation in addition to resistance training in breast cancer patients. Patients will be randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (CG) and two experimental groups. The first resistance training group (RG) will perform resistance training, while the second resistance-creatine experimental group (RCG) will perform the same resistance training as the RG and will also receive a 5 g/day supplementation of creatine for the duration of the exercise the 16-week intervention. RG participants will follow the same daily dosing protocol, but in their case, with dextrose/maltodextrin. Resistance training will be a 16-week supervised workout that will consist of a series of resistance exercises (leg press, knee extension, knee bends, chest press, sit-ups, back extensions, pull-ups, and shoulder press) that involved the largest muscle groups of the body and will be performed three times a week on non-consecutive days. Both the RG and the RCG will receive a supplement of soluble protein powder (20-30 g) daily.
Discussion: The results of this intervention will help to better understand the potential of non-pharmacological treatment for improving strength and wellbeing values in breast cancer patients with and without creatine supplementation.

Prospective multicenter study of consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and large intracranial vessel occlusion in which a thorough and systematic evaluation of all variables that may be related to the degree of collateral circulation is performed.