Eradicating cancer but preserving cardiovascular health. That is the challenge for cardio-oncology, an emerging discipline embracing the multidisciplinary collaboration necessary to offer the best comprehensive patient care. For years, at CNIC we have been aware of the importance of early identification of the common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer in order to prevent both diseases rather than merely treating them. This is behind CNIC’s coordination of RESILIENCE, an ambitious project specifically designed to develop medical intervention and reduce the prevalence of chronic heart failure among patients who have survived cancer.
CNIC hosted the first symposium of the foremost global cardio-oncology summit, consolidating the organization’s position as scientific leader in the field of cardio-oncology and demonstrating the research centre’s commitment. The event not only highlighted the challenges and advances in cancer patient care, but also underscored CNIC’s central role as a reference in cardiovascular research and the preparation of future generations striving for scientific excellence.
Generations who are taking their first steps at CNIC by participating in its training programme, which offers places to students ranging from 16-year-olds to qualified specialists in cardiology or other disciplines related with the cardiovascular field.
This year’s participants are Calgary University’s Dr Carlos A Morillo and Dr Mark Andrew Hlatky of Standford University. The programme aims to strengthen scientific relations between Spanish research groups and the visiting scientists and foster new lines of research based on innovative scientific interests. The initiative promotes international collaboration and diversity of scientific approaches at CNIC.
In 2023, the ACÉRCATE programme resumed, with eight baccalaureate students from schools in Spain, selected for their academic excellence as part of the CNIC-Joven training programme. The initiative seeks to attract and train talented youngsters from an early age, establishing a pool of investigators in the area of cardiovascular research.
The programme, with backing of the Fundación Pro CNIC, represents the centre’s sustained commitment to scientific training from the earliest stages of education. ACÉRCATE not only offers a unique opportunity for brilliant students, but also underscores CNIC’s comprehensive approach to promoting scientific excellence and diversity in research.
Another example of the comprehensive nature of scientific excellence and diversity in research is the Fundación Occident Visiting Researcher at CNIC programme.
CNIC research seeks to have a real impact on people. Alongside the Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), CNIC heads the working group on joint action EU joint action “JACARDI” aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in Europe, with 53 million euros funding. The scheme involves 21 countries and over 300 experts working on 143 projects to improve prevention, early detection, treatment and management with a focus on equity and cultural diversity. CNIC and i+12 are collaborating in the creation of a European network of registries of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, in addition to undertaking pilot projects on gender and self-care.
Finally, we should remember Dr Andrew R Marks’ advice to young researchers in this edition of CNIC Pulse: they should avoid difficult goals and focus on basic questions, as he did when he studied a specific calcium channel, leading to multiple discoveries. “If I’d begun by saying I wanted to cure heart failure, I wouldn’t have got very far,” he admits.
