Pre-metastatic niches
We investigate how primary tumours may alter distant tissues before tumour cells arrive, and what makes particular environments more or less permissive.
The lab
Understanding how cancer spreads and why it may return
We investigate the mechanisms that allow tumour cells to disseminate, adapt to other tissues, remain dormant and, in some cases, resume growth.
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Overview
The aim of the Drivers and Biomarkers of Metastasis Lab is to identify the processes that drive metastatic progression and translate that knowledge into new opportunities for detection, monitoring and intervention.
We work primarily on melanoma and breast cancer, combining mechanistic questions with a translational perspective.
- Institution
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale (CSIC-UAM)
- Principal investigator
- David Olmeda Casadomé
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Research areas
We study metastasis as a sequence of connected biological states.
Lymphatic and vascular biology
We study how lymphatic and vascular systems contribute to tumour-cell dissemination and communication between the tumour and other tissues.
Dormancy and relapse
We examine how some disseminated cells survive for prolonged periods, what maintains dormancy and which conditions may favour reactivation.
Biomarkers and therapeutic response
We seek markers that may help anticipate progression risk and explain resistance or response to treatment.
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Current team
Shared research questions in a rigorous, collaborative working environment.
Tenured Scientist (Científico Titular), CSIC · Principal Investigator
Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale (IIBM, CSIC-UAM) · Associated Researcher at IMDEA-Food.
Claudia Velasco López
PhD student
Her work is within the laboratory’s lymphatic-endothelium and metastasis line.
PhD student
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Current projects
We present the public scope of these programmes, not results.
LYMPH-PREMET
Examines the role of the lymphatic endothelium in the pre-metastatic niche, with a focus on melanoma, breast cancer and the lung.
In progress · This view presents no results.
spaXio — MSCA doctoral network
Investigates how metastatic niches form and how they might be targeted therapeutically by integrating spatial and single-cell multi-omics, organ-specific 3D tumoroid models, and AI-powered data analysis. The network will train 13 doctoral candidates across academic and industry settings.
In development · This view describes project aims and training; it does not present results.
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Selected publications
- Olmeda D, …, Soengas MS. Whole-body imaging of lymphovascular niches identifies pre-metastatic roles of midkine.Nature 546, 676–680 (2017)
- Cerezo-Wallis D, …, Olmeda D, Soengas MS. Midkine rewires the melanoma microenvironment toward a tolerogenic and immune-resistant state.Nature Medicine 26, 1865–1877 (2020)
- Olmeda D, …, Soengas MS. Live imaging of neolymphangiogenesis identifies acute antimetastatic roles of dsRNA mimics.EMBO Molecular Medicine 13 (2021)
- Olmeda D, Cerezo-Wallis D, … Physiological models for in vivo imaging and targeting the lymphatic system: Nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles.Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 175, 113833 (2021)
- Wurth L, Papasaikas P, Olmeda D, … UNR/CSDE1 Drives a Post-transcriptional Program to Promote Melanoma Invasion and Metastasis.Cancer Cell 30, 694–707 (2016)
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Metastasis as a process
Our video presents metastasis as a dynamic sequence of dissemination, adaptation, persistence and possible reactivation.
Watch the lab video