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Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Cancer Miquel Porta

Our group is, and works to remain, an influential research group and a global and local academic benchmark. We conceive, develop and exercise this influence primarily through research, teaching and knowledge transfer, all of which includes regular activity in academic institutions, the media, networks, and global and local advocacy forums. We have published in journals such as Nature Genetics and Endocrine Reviews, as well as in numerous highly prestigious journals in cancer and in clinical, molecular and environmental epidemiology. Such a broad integration of basic, clinical and epidemiological knowledge has been one of our international hallmarks for more than two decades. The Dictionary of Epidemiology (Oxford University Press, 2026) also reflects our aspirations, approaches and achievements.

Our knowledge transfer activities are often reflected in Spanish and global media. For example, the article with Muncke et al. (Food packaging and migration of food contact materials) had worldwide media impact (BBC, The Guardian, The Times, El País, Daily Express, Huffington Post UK, Independent, Metro London, Medical News Today, CTV News, The Mirror, MSN News, Times of India, etc.) (Altmetric).

Research lines

Clinical, molecular and environmental epidemiology of pancreatic cancer and other diseases. We have a recognised research track record in the clinical and molecular epidemiology of pancreatic cancer, focused on the role of gene-environment interactions, including endocrine disruptors and other environmental pollutants. We have also published extensively on the use of biomarkers to assess the impact of environmental factors on human health. In response to the most recent pandemic, we secured -and continue to seek- funding and partners to assess the influence of environmental pollutants on SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccine response, and the severity and prognosis of COVID-19.

Cancer: our vision

Cancer is a complex set of processes resulting from the interaction of genetic, clinical and environmental factors, understanding "environmental" to include the physical, healthcare, cultural and social environment. We believe that studies on the molecular basis of cancer:

• should be extended beyond the laboratory and continued in clinical and population contexts, using rigorous methodology, (generally "epidemiological" methodology).
• should be brought closer to the patient's bedside and scientifically assessed to determine whether they may become useful for clinical care.
• can sometimes be integrated with studies on the environmental causes of cancer, assessing the extent to which they may contribute to improving the effectiveness of prevention programmes.

We also believe that the so-called "schism" between basic, clinical and public health sciences is harmful to all three "worlds" or levels, both in practical terms and in terms of scientific knowledge.

Understanding the causes of pancreatic cancer is perhaps the most ambitious scientific objective in research on this neoplasm, both from a biological point of view and from the perspective of public health. There are two main reasons for this:

1. On the one hand, this knowledge is a prerequisite for primary prevention. This is the only form of prevention that can reduce the incidence of the disease (the number of new cases in a defined population and time period), in contrast to secondary prevention, (which, by definition, can only be applied to existing cases and is, in practice, uncommon in pancreatic cancer).
2. On the other hand, gene-environment interactions constitute an especially relevant etiopathogenic field in this and other neoplasms. Studying these interactions is an excellent opportunity to generate new scientific knowledge about the molecular basis of the carcinogenic process.

Thus, integrative research -integrative studies- on the causes of cancer is a natural meeting point between molecular biology and epidemiology.

Our aim is to achieve optimal integration of professional cultures, scientific knowledge, methodologies and techniques. Our research experience is highly transdisciplinary, and we believe we are one of the pioneering Spanish groups in clinical and molecular epidemiology.