Ikerbasque Research Fellow Ramón y Cajal (RyC) Programme
0000-0001-6906-6065Marco Piva obtained his BSc in Biotecnology from the University of Bologna and continued his scientific pursuits by completing his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and CIC bioGUNE, Spain.
In 2014, Dr. Piva joined the laboratory Prof. Roger S. Lo at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) (USA). In his postdoctoral research he focused on the study of the mechanism of drug resistance in melanoma.
In 2021, Dr. Piva became a Ramón y Cajal and Ikerbasque Research Fellow (2019) in the Cancer Cell Signaling and Metabolism Lab at CIC bioGUNE and he currently holds the position of Emerging Scientist.
Dr. Piva’s research focuses on how the immune compartment influences tumor progression, therapy response, and resistance. His work explores the interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), with a particular emphasis on neutrophils and macrophages, which can both support and suppress metastatic disease.
His lab investigates the immune-driven mechanisms that promote metastasis and therapy resistance, aiming to reprogram tumor microenvironment to improve treatment outcomes. By targeting immunosuppressive processes and exploring new therapeutic strategies, their research seeks to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy and address the challenges of metastatic cancer.
Research line 1: Targeting immune-driven inflammation in metastatic cancers
Chronic inflammation within the TME drives tumor growth, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. The group aims to identify and target the inflammatory processes mediated by immune cells, such as the release of pro-tumoral factors and the formation of extracellular structures that facilitate metastatic dissemination. By developing and testing therapeutic agents in preclinical models, they seek to design strategies that block harmful immune functions while preserving beneficial immune responses.
Research line 2: Understanding immune cell contributions to therapy resistance.
Key immune cell populations, such as macrophages and neutrophils, play significant roles in shaping the TME and promoting tumor progression in metastatic cancers. These cells often support tumor growth, suppress effective anti-tumor immunity, and contribute to resistance against current therapies. By investigating their functional states and interactions with other TME components, the group aims to uncover mechanisms of resistance and develop strategies to reprogram these immune cells for therapeutic benefit.
Research line 3: Translational profiling of the tumor immune microenvironment
To bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical applications, the lab utilizes advanced profiling technologies to analyze the TME in metastatic cancers. These approaches enable them to identify key pathways and regulatory networks that mediate tumor-immune interactions and prioritize actionable targets for therapy. By integrating findings from both preclinical models and patient samples, they aim to ensure that their research is both relevant and translatable.
Research line 4: Designing effective combination therapies
Combining standard-of-care treatments with immune-targeting strategies offers great promise for improving outcomes in metastatic cancers. Their research explores novel combinations of therapies that simultaneously target cancer cells and modulate the immune microenvironment, with the goal of achieving more durable responses and reducing resistance. Preclinical validation in advanced models will inform the development of these approaches for clinical use.
By focusing on the immune system’s role in metastatic progression, the lab seeks to uncover novel therapeutic opportunities that enhance treatment efficacy and address unmet clinical needs. Through the development of innovative therapies and the integration of translational insights, the group aims to contribute to improving survival rates and quality of life for patients affected by metastatic cancers.
Dr. Piva’s team includes PhD candidate Victoria Cid Cetelles and Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral researcher Jaione Auzmendi Iriarte.
Awards & recognitions
Ramón y Cajal Fellow and Ikerbasque Research Fellow (2019).
Collaborations
Joaquín Mateo (VHIO, Barcelona), María Casanova (CNIO, Madrid), Edurne Rujas (Fundación Biofisika/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Bilbao/Vitoria), Natalia Elguezabal (Neiker, Derio-Zamudio).
Latest Publications
2020
2018
2017
2016
2014
The research in the Carracedo lab is aimed at deconstructing the essential requirements of cancer cells with special emphasis on the translation of the acquired knowledge from bench to bedside. In order to define the genuine features of cancer cells, we focus on the signalling and metabolic alterations in prostate and breast cancer. Through the use of a hierarchical approach with increasing complexity, we work on cell lines and primary cultures (using cell and molecular biology technologies), mouse models of prostate cancer that are faithful to the human disease and the analysis of human specimens through the development of prospective and retrospective studies. Our work stems from the hypothesis that cancer is driven by signalling and metabolic alterations that, once identified, can be targeted for therapy. The center and our collaborator institutions offer state-of-the-art technologies (from OMICS to in vivo imaging), which allow us to build and answer our hypotheses with high level of confidence.
To address our scientific questions in cancer, the Carracedo lab has developed a series of research lines:
- Bioinformatics-based discovery. The lab takes full advantage on publicly available human prostate and breast cancer datasets in order to identify candidate genes to contribute to cancer pathogenesis, progression and response to therapy. Best hits are then validated employing genetic mouse models, xenograft surrogate assays and the latest advances in cellular and molecular biology combined with OMICs technologies.
- Genetic mouse models as a source for the identification of novel cancer players. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) can faithfully recapitulate many aspects of human cancer. Dr. Carracedo envisions the molecular analysis of GEMMs with high throughput technologies as a mean to identify novel cancer-related genes. These hits are then validated through the analysis of human cancer specimens and cellular and molecular biology approaches.
- Multi-OMICs analysis for non-invasive biomarker identification. Biofluids are the perfect source for cancer biomarkers that can inform about the presence or features of cancer. The lab has undertaken a biomarker discovery approach by applying the latest OMICs technologies to biofluid specimens from well-annotated prostate cancer patients, in order to define better molecules that inform about this disease.
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Group Leader
Isabel Mendizabal
Ikerbasque Research Fellow - Ramón y Cajal Programme -
Edurne Berra
Emerging Scientist -
Amaia Ercilla Eguiarte
Ikerbasque Research Fellow - Juan de la Cierva Fellow IKERBASQUE RESEARCH FELLOW -
Oihana Iriondo Martinez de Zuazo
Ikerbasque Research Fellow RESEARCH ASSISTANT -
Amaia Zabala Letona
AECC Researcher -
Natalia Martín Martín
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER -
Blanca Calle Ciborro
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Laura Bozal Basterra
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Mikel Pujana Vaquerizo
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Jaione Auzmendi Iriarte
Juan de la Cierva Fellow TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Maria Camila Salazar Palacio
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Onintza Carlevaris
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Candela Gerediaga Ruiz de Velasco
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María Ponce Rodríguez
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Victoria Cid I Centelles
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Belén Martínez La Osa
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Kathrin Keim
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Mikel Arana Castañares
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Alex Rodríguez Alonso
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Ianire Astobiza
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Encarnación Pérez Andrés
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Uxue Lazcano Dobao
AECC Predoctoral Fellow -
Adrián Vicente Barrueco
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Irati Aguirre Vicente
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Saioa García Longarte
Members
Arkaitz Carracedo
ERC Consolidator Grant - Ikerbasque Research ProfessorLatest Publications
Aggressive prostate cancer is associated with pericyte dysfunction
Martinez-Romero, A; Martinez-Larrinaga, A; Grego-Bessa, J; Garcia-Longarte, S; van Splunder, H; Astobiza, I; Ercilla, A; Bozal-Basterra, L; Mendizabal, I; Villacampa, P; Carracedo, A; Graupera, ...
Molecular Oncology
2025-11-03
Unravelling the role of L-and Dalanine in prostate cancer: a Positron Emission Tomography study in a genetic mouse model
Castellnou, P; Gómez-Martínez, M; Gómez-Vallejo, V; Baz, Z; López-Gallego, F; Rondon-Lorefice, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Poot, AJ; Mendizabal, I; Carracedo, A; Rejc, L; Llop, J;
NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
2025-09-25
A bioinformatics screen identifies TCF19 as an aggressiveness-sustaining gene in prostate cancer
Ercilla, A; Crespo, JR; Garcia-Longarte, S; Fidalgo, M; del Palacio, S; Martin-Martin, N; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Fernández-Ruiz, S; Guiu, M; Bárcena, L; Mendizabal, I; Aransay, AM; Graupera, ...
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2025-09-15
Role of CNNM4 in the progression of cholangiocarcinoma: implications for ferroptosis and therapeutic potential
Mercado-Gómez , M; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Giné, AE; Rodrigo, MAM; Afonso, MB; Azkargorta, M; Zapata-Pavas, LE; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Romero, MR; Mendizabal, I; Rodrigues, PM; Wu, HH; Rodríguez-Agudo, ...
GUT
2025-08-05
Transcriptional analysis of metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer primary tumor biopsies reveals a relevant role for SOX11 in prostate cancer cell dissemination
Martin-Martin, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Lazcano, U; Astobiza, I; Bozal-Basterra, L; Herranz, N; van Splunder, H; Carlevaris, O; Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Blasco, MT; Aransay, ...
GENOME BIOLOGY
2025-06-03
Precision proteogenomics reveals pan-cancer impact of germline variants
Rodrigues, FM; Terekhanova, NV; Imbach, KJ; Clauser, KR; Selvan, ME; Mendizabal, I; Geffen, Y; Akiyama, Y; Maynard, M; Yaron, TM; Li, YZ; Cao, S; Storrs, EP; Gonda, OS; Gaite-Reguero, A; Govindan, ...
CELL
2025-05-01
Asymmetrical Evolution of Promoter Methylation of Mammalian Genes after Duplication
de la Fuente, M; Mendizabal, I; Han, M; Yi, S; Alvarez-Ponce, D;
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
2024-12-30
Human brain aging is associated with dysregulation of cell type epigenetic identity
Jeong, H; Mendizabal, I; Yi, SV;
GEROSCIENCE
2024-12-27
The PP2A regulator IER5L supports prostate cancer progression
Crespo, JR; Martín-Martín, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Guiu, M; Azkargorta, M; Gonzalez-Lopez, M; Macías-Cámara, N; Doan, P; Elortza, ...
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
2024-07-18
Human Brain Aging is Associated with Dysregulation of Cell-Type Epigenetic Identity.
Jeong, Hyeonsoo; Mendizabal, Isabel; Yi, Soojin V;
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
2024-06-03
DNA methylation differences between the female and male X chromosomes in human brain.
Morgan, Robert; Loh, Eddie; Singh, Devika; Mendizabal, Isabel; Yi, Soojin V;
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
2024-04-17
METTL1 promotes tumorigenesis through tRNA-derived fragment biogenesis in prostate cancer
García-Vilchez, R; Anazco-Guenkova, AM; Dietmann, S; López, J; Morón-Calvente, V; DAmbrosi, S; Nombela, P; Zamacola, K; Mendizabal, I; García-Longarte, S; Zabala-Letona, A; Astobiza, I; Fernández, ...
MOLECULAR CANCER
2023-07-29
Master Transcription Factor Reprogramming Unleashes Selective Translation Promoting Castration Resistance and Immune Evasion in Lethal Prostate Cancer
Santasusagna, S; Zhu, S; Jawalagatti, V; Carceles-Cordon, M; Ertel, A; Garcia-Longarte, S; Song, WM; Fujiwara, N; Li, P; Mendizabal, I; Petrylak, DP; Kelly, WK; Reddy, EP; Wang, L; Schiewer, ...
CANCER DISCOVERY
2023-01-01
RAD51 is a druggable target that sustains replication fork progression upon DNA replication stress
Feu, S; Unzueta, F; Ercilla, A; Pérez-Venteo, A; Jaumot, M; Agell, N;
PLOS ONE
2022-08-15
Epigenetic Mechanisms Influencing Therapeutic Response in Breast Cancer
Arruabarrena-Aristorena, A; Toska, E;
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
2022-06-14
PI3K-regulated Glycine N-methyltransferase is required for the development of prostate cancer
Zabala-Letona, A; Arruabarrena-Aristorena, A; Fernandez-Ruiz, S; Viera, C; Carlevaris, O; Ercilla, A; Mendizabal, I; Martin, T; Macchia, A; Camacho, L; Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Sanchez-Mosquera, ...
ONCOGENESIS
2022-02-23
Defining a Methylation Signature Associated With Operational Tolerance in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Rodriguez, RM; Hernández-Fuentes, MP; Corte-Iglesias, V; Saiz, ML; Lozano, JJ; Cortazar, AR; Mendizabal, I; Suarez-Fernandez, ML; Coto, E; López-Vázquez, A; Díaz-Corte, C; Aransay, AM; López-Larrea, ...
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
2021-08-20
Evolution of DNA methylation in the human brain
Jeong, H; Mendizabal, I; Berto, S; Chatterjee, P; Layman, T; Usui, N; Toriumi, K; Douglas, C; Singh, D; Huh, I; Preuss, TM; Konopka, G; Yi, S;
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
2021-04-01
Genomic and Functional Regulation of TRIB1 Contributes to Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis
Shahrouzi, P; Astobiza, I; Cortazar, AR; Torrano, V; Macchia, A; Flores, JM; Niespolo, C; Mendizabal, I; Caloto, R; Ercilla, A; Camacho, L; Arreal, L; Bizkarguenaga, M; Martinez-Chantar, ML; ...
CANCERS
2020-09-01