
World Cancer Day: INL’s Breakthrough Technologies in Cancer Research
February 4, 2025
Cancer touches millions of lives in countless ways, but it doesn’t define who we are. We are more than a disease, more than a statistic. Every experience with cancer is unique, and it will take all of us—united—to create a world where we look beyond the illness and see the person before the patient.
The World Cancer Day places people at the heart of care and explores new ways to make a difference, raising awareness to taking action, ensuring that science, innovation, and compassion go hand in hand.
At INL – The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, we are committed to shaping the future of cancer research through nanotechnology, AI, and advanced diagnostics—always with people at the centre of our mission.
Nanotechnology for a Future Without Cancer
BIOCELLPHE: Detecting Cancer Before It Spreads
Metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, but what if we could detect it before it takes hold? BIOCELLPHE is developing engineered bacteria that can recognise tumour cells in the bloodstream and trigger ultra-sensitive signals detected by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This breakthrough lab-on-a-chip technology could redefine early cancer detection and save countless lives.
PROMISE: Giving Doctors Better Tools to Treat Metastatic Cancer
For colorectal cancer patients, survival often depends on how well doctors can track and predict their response to treatments. PROMISE combines bioprinting, biomaterials, and microfluidics to create powerful new tools for monitoring metastatic cancer in real time, helping doctors tailor treatments for better outcomes.
3DSecret: Understanding How Cancer Adapts
Every cancer behaves differently, and predicting its next move could be the key to stopping it. 3DSecret is using advanced microfluidics to isolate and grow tumour cells into 3D mini-tumours, allowing scientists to study how cancer adapts and spreads—unlocking critical insights for next-generation treatments.
MAGNOSTICS: A New Strategy for One of the Toughest Cancers
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the hardest to treat, often resisting chemotherapy. MAGNOSTICS is changing the game with nanoparticles coated in real cancer cell membranes, allowing them to disguise themselves, sneak past the body’s defences, and deliver a powerful combination of chemotherapy, gene therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia. This approach could revolutionise TNBC treatment and offer hope where none existed.
UnTAM: Unleashing the Immune System Against Cancer
The body’s immune system can be a powerful ally in the fight against cancer. UnTAM is developing innovative ways to reprogram immune cells to attack tumours more effectively.
Science, a tool for humanity
Our cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, microfluidics, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence is paving the way for earlier cancer detection, more precise treatments, and innovative solutions that put patients first. But science alone is not enough—it must be driven by the needs of the people it serves.
This World Cancer Day, we stand united with researchers, doctors, and communities around the world to push the boundaries of what is possible. Because every person’s experience with cancer is unique, and through innovation, collaboration, and care, we can shape a future where science works for people, not just for progress. Together, we are united by science.