A study by IRB Catalunya Sud (formerly IISPV) and Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona has discovered that these vesicles act differently depending on tumour aggressiveness, opening new possibilities for future therapeutic strategies.
Prostate cancer is the most common tumour in men in many Western countries. In the Tarragona region, nearly 670 new cases are diagnosed each year, and the number exceeds 30,000 at the national level. Although many tumours grow slowly, others can progress and spread, so understanding the factors that drive this aggressiveness is essential to improve patient outcomes.
In this context, researchers from the Grup de Recerca en Biomarcadors de Malalties i Mecanismes Moleculars (DIBIOMEC) at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB Catalunya Sud, formerly IISPV), in collaboration with the Urology and Pathology Departments of Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona, have made an important step forward. Their recently published study shows for the first time that extracellular vesicles (small particles released by cells) from the adipose tissue surrounding the prostate (periprostatic adipose tissue, PPAT) modulate the behaviour of tumour cells differently depending on cancer risk level.
The research, led by Dra. Matilde R. Chacón and Dr. Xavier Ruiz-Plazas, and carried out by a multidisciplinary team, provides a new perspective on how the tumour microenvironment — particularly periprostatic fat — “communicates” with cancer and influences its evolution.
First, the study reveals risk‑dependent effects. Vesicles from periprostatic adipose tissue of patients with low‑risk prostate cancer mainly stimulate tumour cell proliferation. In contrast, vesicles from patients with high‑risk tumours do not promote proliferation, but they do increase the migration capacity of cancer cells and stimulate angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), both of which are key processes in tumour progression and spread.
The vesicles also affect the tumour microenvironment. Besides acting on cancer cells, they influence other surrounding cells. Low‑risk vesicles promote a pro‑inflammatory and immunosuppressive profile in macrophages (immune cells), which may help create a supportive environment for early‑stage tumours.
Another important finding is the activation of signalling pathways, as the observed effects are linked to the activation of key molecular routes in cancer.
This discovery shows that periprostatic adipose tissue is not just a passive structure but an active and dynamic player that modulates prostate cancer behaviour depending on disease aggressiveness. Extracellular vesicles from this tissue emerge as promising therapeutic targets for future strategies aimed at interfering with communication between the tumour and its microenvironment, especially in cases with a higher risk of progression.
Although these results come from in vitro models and further studies will be needed in more complex systems, this research represents a significant step forward in understanding prostate cancer biology and opens a promising avenue for translational research.
Link to the scientific publication:
Arreaza-Gil V. et al. Periprostatic adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles modulate prostate cancer cell behaviour in vitro according to tumour grade. Mol Med (2026).
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41566212/
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-026-01422-7
The researcher Jordi Gracia-Sancho, an international reference in the study of liver diseases, is joining the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) as the head of the new hepatology research group. His aim is to strengthen biomedical research in the region and position it as a centre of excellence in digestive health. With a strong scientific background and a clear translational outlook, Gracia-Sancho will lead a team focused on generating knowledge with a direct impact on clinical practice and on patients’ quality of life.
Graduated in Biochemistry from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and with a PhD in Medicine from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Jordi Gracia-Sancho completed his training with a postdoctoral stay at Harvard University (Boston, USA). Later, he obtained a Ramón y Cajal contract and progressed to Group Leader at the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), one of the main biomedical research centres in the country. He is currently also the Scientific Director of CIBEREHD (ISCIII), where he coordinates and promotes cooperative research on liver and digestive diseases at the national level.
His research focuses on the vascular pathophysiology of the liver, with particular attention to the role of sinusoidal cells and their interactions in acute and chronic liver diseases, as well as in ageing-related processes. Throughout his career, he has published more than 155 scientific articles in peer-reviewed international journals and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of npj Gut and Liver, a journal from the Nature group, which further highlights his scientific leadership.
The new group led by Gracia-Sancho aims to understand the biological and molecular mechanisms behind the development and progression of diseases such as hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis or cirrhosis, conditions that are becoming increasingly common and have a strong social and health impact.
Among its goals are the identification of new therapeutic targets, the development of innovative pharmacological strategies and progress in precision medicine in hepatology through the detection of biomarkers that help classify patients better and predict their response to treatments.
To achieve these objectives, the group will work with a multidisciplinary and translational approach, integrating experimental models, analysis of human samples, omics technologies and close collaboration with clinical professionals from l’IRBCatSud. This synergy will accelerate the transfer of research results from the laboratory to patient care.
In addition to his scientific activity, Jordi Gracia-Sancho is strongly committed to training young researchers. He has supervised 15 doctoral theses, co-directs the Màster en Recerca Translacional en Malalties Hepàtiques i Digestives at the Universitat Complutense de Madrid, and participates as a guest lecturer in several European universities.
He also co-organises various international scientific dissemination and training initiatives, such as the LiverSeminars programme, as well as symposia supported by leading global hepatology societies such as EASL, APASL or AASLD. He has been an invited speaker at over a hundred international conferences and is currently President of the International Society for Hepatic Sinusoidal Research (ISHSR).
In the field of innovation, Gracia-Sancho is the author of four patents, has contributed to the creation of two biomedical spin-offs and has led projects aimed at developing new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, reinforcing his strong commitment to transferring knowledge into the healthcare system and productive sector.
His career has been recognised with multiple awards. In 2016, he became the first Spanish researcher to receive the Emerging Leader Award from the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and in 2023 he was named Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (FAASLD), an honour reserved for a very small number of top-level scientists.
With his incorporation as group leader, Jordi Gracia-Sancho is committed to a research model that is collaborative, open and deeply connected to the territory, with the aim of to strengthen local scientific capacities, attract and retain talent, and take part in leading national and international networks. A vision that places scientific knowledge as a driving force for transformation, innovation, and the improvement of citizens’ health.
The students had the opportunity to learn first-hand how biomedical research is carried out and to discover the role of professionals who work to improve people’s health
The Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV) welcomed, this Friday 6 February, a group of students from the Mare de Déu del Carme School in Tarragona to its facilities located at the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus.
During the visit, the students were able to see directly how biomedical research is developed, explore different working areas and discover the work of professionals who research to improve public health. The activity aimed to bring science and research closer to young people and to inspire scientific interest.
This initiative is part of the IISPV’s commitment to scientific outreach and education, through activities designed for both schools and the general public. In this sense, the Institute promotes guided visits and outreach actions throughout the year to share its research work.
Among other important initiatives, last year the IISPV organised, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the event “Health research goes to the streets” in Reus and Tarragona, with workshops and activities specially created for children and teenagers, with the goal of explaining science in a simple and engaging way.
With actions like this school visit, the IISPV strengthens its commitment to connecting biomedical research with society and contributing to the scientific education of future generations.
A team of researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) has published a study in the scientific journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. The study describes an experimental rat model that reproduces key features of creeping fat, the accumulation of fatty tissue around inflamed intestinal segments, which is one of the characteristic pathological signs of Crohn’s disease.
The study shows that the colitis model induced with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) develops hyperplasia of the mesocolic adipose tissue, presenting macroscopic, histological, immunological and molecular similarities to the creeping fat observed in patients with Crohn’s disease. According to the authors, this model can help study the role of this tissue in the progression of the disease and its complications.
The first author, Dr. Laura Clua, explains that “creeping fat is not only a growth of fatty tissue around the inflamed intestine, but it is also a metabolically and immunologically active tissue. In the model we observe a strong infiltration of immune cells and high expression of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, features that have also been described in patients.”
The results show a relationship between the severity of transmural intestinal inflammation and the development of mesocolic hyperplasia, as well as the presence of bacteria that have moved into the subserosa. According to the authors, these findings support the hypothesis that the gut microbiota may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.
Co-author Roger Suau, corresponding author of the article, highlights that “we have characterized the model at several levels —macroscopic, histopathological, immunohistochemical and transcriptomic— which allowed us to compare it with the features described in humans. About half of the animals develop mesocolic hyperplasia with characteristics similar to the creeping fat described in Crohn’s disease.”
For Dr. Carolina Serena (IRB CatSud), leader of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBODI) research group, this model may be useful to explore the mechanisms involved in the disease: “having an experimental model that reproduces this phenomenon makes it easier to study the relationship between intestinal inflammation, bacterial translocation and the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.”
According to Dr. Josep Manyé, researcher in the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Research Group (GReMII) at IGTP, “this type of experimental model can help us better understand the role of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease and explore new therapeutic approaches.”
Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, the Viladecans Hospital and CIBEREHD also took part in the study, together with other IGTP teams such as the High‑Throughput Genomics and Bioinformatics platform led by Lauro Sumoy, and the Translational Research in Liver Diseases group, led by Ramon Bartolí.
The authors state that the model offers a reproducible experimental platform to study the role of mesenteric adipose tissue in inflammatory bowel disease and to support the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies in preclinical research stages.
The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), with the participation of the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), has taken part in a pioneering study showing that consuming extra virgin olive oil may help preserve cognitive function by modulating the gut microbiota. The research, published in Microbiome, is the first study in humans to analyse this specific relationship.
The study was carried out using data from 656 people aged 55 to 75 with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome, all participating in the PREDIMED-Plus project. Participants who consumed extra virgin olive oil —and not refined oil— showed a better evolution of cognitive function and a more diverse gut microbiota, which is a key indicator of metabolic health. In addition, the bacterial genus Adlercreutzia was identified as a possible mediator of this protective effect.
The difference between the two types of olive oil lies in the production process: while extra virgin olive oil preserves antioxidants, polyphenols and bioactive compounds, refined oil loses most of these elements during industrial processing. “Not all olive oils have the same benefits for cognitive function,” explains Jiaqi Ni, first author of the study.
The results highlight the importance of fat quality within the Mediterranean diet. “Extra virgin olive oil not only protects the heart, but may also help preserve the brain during ageing,” says Jordi Salas-Salvadó, principal investigator. Codirectors Nancy Babio and Stephanie Nishi emphasise that, in a context of increasing cognitive decline, improving diet quality is an accessible and effective strategy.
This research was made possible thanks to the leadership of the URV and IISPV-CERCA, with the collaboration of CIBERobn and international institutions such as Wageningen University and Harvard University.
The Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) and La Lliga Contra el Càncer de les Comarques de Tarragona i Terres de l’Ebre have signed a framework agreement that strengthens the commitment of both institutions to research, prevention and public awareness in the field of health and the fight against cancer. The signing takes place on the eve of World Cancer Day, which is celebrated tomorrow, 4 February, a day that highlights the importance of joining efforts to reduce the impact of this disease on society.
The agreement creates a stable cooperation framework lasting four years, renewable annually for another four years. This will allow the development of research projects and activities aimed at improving the health and quality of life of people affected by this disease. In this context, La Lliga will provide yearly financial support to the IISPV for research projects and cancer prevention initiatives. The first planned contribution is 68,000 euros.
Joan Vendrell, director of the IISPV, stated that this collaboration “is an opportunity to strengthen cancer research carried out in our territory and to move forward with projects that have a direct impact on people’s health”. He added that “working together with an organisation with such a strong background in prevention and awareness, like La Lliga Contra el Càncer, allows us to make significant progress in the cancer research we do at our Institut”.
On the other hand, Agustina Sirgo, president of La Lliga Contra el Càncer de les Comarques de Tarragona i Terres de l’Ebre, emphasised that “research is one of the most powerful tools to improve the lives of people living with cancer. This agreement helps us join forces with a leading centre like the IISPV and ensures that the support of local citizens becomes progress that directly benefits the patients in our counties. Supporting research is a responsibility we take on with pride and determination. We want every patient and every family to know that they are not alone, and that we will continue working so that the future can be better.”
The alliance between the two institutions also includes public awareness actions aimed at fostering healthy habits and promoting early detection, which is one of the key factors in improving cancer survival.
The Institute of Biomedical Research of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) joins once again the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, held this Wednesday, February 11, with the aim of making female talent visible, acknowledging their role in the field of biomedical research, and fostering scientific vocations among younger generations.
IRB CatSud currently has a workforce made up mostly of women, who represent approximately 68% of all professionals linked to the Institute—clear evidence of the strong female presence across research, technical, and administrative activities.
In parallel, regarding the gender composition of governance and advisory bodies—such as the Executive Advisory Committee and the Social Council—women represent 52%. This reflects their representation in these governance spaces, in line with the criteria of balance and representativeness that guide the Institute’s operations.
IRB CatSud also has a significant presence of women in its research teams. Female researchers represent an essential part of the scientific staff and lead competitive projects in fields such as mental health, nutrition, metabolic diseases, oncology, and environmental health.
These data show that more and more women are working in the scientific field. “Women’s brains function differently from men’s—not better or worse—but it is good and necessary for the world of science to benefit from the way the female brain analyzes problems and seeks solutions,” says Elisabet Vilella, Deputy Director of IRB CatSud and researcher in the field of genetics and mental health.
On this February 11, IRB CatSud aims to strengthen its commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of female talent, valuing the careers of its female researchers and helping to create new role models for future scientists.
• The facility will be located at the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus, in a 550‑square‑metre space
• The creation of this Unit has a total cost of 4.3 million euros, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Next Generation funds
The Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) has already started the initial work to build its new Clinical Research Unit (CRU), in collaboration with the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (HUSJR). This is a pioneering facility that will make it possible to carry out studies and clinical trials of medicines in all their phases, from the most experimental ones to the final stages before approval. The unit, which will occupy a 550‑square‑metre area inside the HUSJR, is funded with 4.3 million euros from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the public body under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities that manages biomedical research in Spain, and from the Next Generation EU funds.
The new CRU will represent an important step forward for the region’s capacity to develop high‑level clinical research. Until now, phase I trials for cancer patients —the most experimental ones, which allow a medicine to be given to a patient for the first time— could only be carried out in centres linked to large hospital structures, mainly in the Barcelona area. With this new unit, patients from Camp de Tarragona, Baix Penedès and Terres de l’Ebre will have access to these studies without having to travel far from home.
The director of IRB CatSud, Joan Vendrell, highlights that the CRU “will serve more than 800,000 inhabitants and will allow citizens to have more equal access to innovative therapies, which until now were only available in centres far from the region”. Anton Benet, manager of Salut Sant Joan Reus‑Baix Camp, adds that the unit “will make it easier to attract new studies in many specialties, especially in oncology, and will strengthen the region’s ability to attract and retain talent, which is very important in a context where there is a lack of specialised health professionals”.
The CRU will also include high‑precision technology, such as a 3‑Tesla MRI scanner for advanced studies, as well as specific areas for specialised tests, monitoring and telemedicine. The project involves the three health regions, local administrations and the Rovira i Virgili University, which have taken part in defining the strategic plan. In addition, the Tarragona Provincial Council will fund the creation of the Body Composition Analysis Unit with 500,000 euros. This unit will be located inside the CRU and will include a special room for metabolic studies, unique in Spain.
The construction work is expected to continue until the end of 2026, when the unit is planned to start operating. Its launch will strengthen Southern Catalonia as a reference point in clinical research and will help improve healthcare practice and treatment opportunities for the population.
A new study by IRB CatSud and ISGlobal links teenagers’ nutrition with emotional wellbeing, cognitive performance, and long‑term decision‑making
Adolescence is a key period for brain development, and eating habits play an essential role in this process. A new study led by the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (Southern Catalonia Biomedical Reseach Institute – IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), includes the participation of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, shows that eating ultra‑processed foods is linked to more emotional and behavioural difficulties. On the other hand, following the Mediterranean diet is associated with better executive function. The study, titled Dietary Patterns and Neuropsychological Function in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study, has been published in BMC Medicine.
The study, carried out by the Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Research Group (NeuroÈpia) at IRB CatSud. The research analyses data from a sample of 653 adolescents aged 12 to 16 from the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Smart-Snack study). It highlights the importance of nutrition during adolescence, a stage where the brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision‑making and impulse control.
Eating habits were assessed using food‑frequency questionnaires that measured adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the intake of ultra‑processed foods. Neuropsychological function was evaluated through standardised computerised tests that measured attention, working memory, fluid intelligence, decision‑making, and emotional recognition. Behavioural and emotional outcomes were also assessed using validated questionnaires.
Opposite effects on the teen brain
The results show clear differences between the two eating patterns. According to Alexios Manidis, the lead researcher, a higher intake of ultra‑processed foods—such as sugary drinks, industrial pastries, and ultra-processed meats—is linked to poorer performance in emotional recognition and sustained attention. Teenagers who consume more ultra‑processed foods also report more symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as more behavioural problems.
In contrast, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil—is linked to fewer behavioural problems and better scores in executive attention.
However, in the six-month follow-up, only initial ultra-processed food consumption showed longitudinal associations with internalizing symptoms and decision-making, while Mediterranean diet adherence showed no longitudinal effects. “This may suggest that Mediterranean diet benefits require ongoing adherence, while the effects of ultra-processed foods may be more persistent,” comments Manidis, reinforcing the importance of maintaining healthy habits consistently.
Objective validation through biomarkers
The study also analysed urinary biomarkers in a subsample of 257 participants. The results show that adolescents who consume more ultra‑processed foods have fewer compounds from plant‑based foods and more compounds linked to food processing, confirming the reliability of dietary questionnaires.
Christopher Papandreou, Assistant Professor at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Crete, Greece) and senior co-author of the study, notes that “teenagers’ diets are shifting towards ultra-processed foods” and warns that this change “may be contributing to the rise in mental health problems among young people”.
Jordi Julvez, head researcher of the NeuroÈpia Research Group at the IRB CatSud and ISGlobal, reminds us that “adolescence is a period of great brain reorganisation” and explains that diet “can influence how teenagers regulate their emotions and make complex decisions”.
The researchers conclude that future strategies, such as replacing processed snacks in schools with nutrient‑dense options like nuts and fresh fruit, could be effective in improving emotional regulation and cognitive function in the long term.
Bibliographic reference of the study
Manidis, A., Ayala-Aldana, N., Bernardo-Castro, S., Pinar-Martí, A., Galkina, P., Fernández-Barrés, S., Ramirez-Carrasco, P., Lamuela-Raventós, R. M., Papandreou, C., & Julvez, J. (2026). Dietary patterns and neuropsychological function in adolescents: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. BMC Medicine, 10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6
A study led by the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (DIAMET) group at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) shows that liver fibrosis and type 2 diabetes significantly modify the hormonal response after eating in people with fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD). The research, published in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, examines how both conditions affect the secretion of essential hormones for glucose control—such as glucagon and the incretins (GLP‑1, GLP‑2 and GIP)—after a standardized meal.
The results show that liver fibrosis is the most important factor influencing the increase in GLP‑1 levels, both in fasting conditions and after the meal, regardless of whether the patient has diabetes. In addition, when liver fibrosis and type 2 diabetes occur together, hormonal changes become stronger, suggesting a synergistic effect between both conditions. Type 2 diabetes is also linked to the loss of the normal suppression of glucagon after eating, a key process to keep blood glucose within healthy ranges.
These findings reinforce the idea that a fibrotic liver is not a passive organ, but plays an active role in metabolic dysregulation. Fibrosis not only reflects past damage but also contributes to generating new hormonal alterations. Understanding these changes is essential to improve clinical assessment and move towards more personalised treatments for MASLD.
With the growing prevalence of MASLD and type 2 diabetes, understanding how these conditions interact at the hormonal level is crucial to improve early diagnosis and optimise treatments based on the incretin–glucagon axis. The study provides evidence that can help identify subgroups of patients who may benefit from more specific therapeutic approaches, with a direct impact on clinical practice.
Overall, the results confirm that liver fibrosis is a central determinant of GLP‑1 levels, and that the coexistence of type 2 diabetes further intensifies these hormonal alterations. This knowledge highlights the need to design therapeutic strategies adapted to the metabolic and liver profile of each patient, especially in a context where both diseases are becoming increasingly common.
The study involved researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Hospital Clínic Barcelona, the research networks of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) — the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD) — as well as the Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII (Tarragona).
