Chilean doctor is rewarded for its contribution to the early detection of cancer

Dr. Alejandro Corvalan, of the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases , ACCDiS at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC).

Researcher at the ACCDiS – PUC was awarded the Chilean Oncologist of the Year, during Latin American Congress of Oncology, SLAGO 2017.

Professional discovered blood marker called Reprimo, that it can detect early signs of gastric cancer, evil that generates 3 thousand deaths annually in Chile.

Advance in the detection of gastric cancer – the first cause of death by cancer in Chile, is one of the missions that is leading Dr. Alejandro Corvalan, physician and researcher at the ACCDiS, and who was recently honored as the outstanding Chilean Oncologist of the 2016.

The award, delivered by the Chilean Foundation for the Development of Oncology, in conjunction with the Organizing Committee of the Latin American Congress of Oncology, SLAGO 2017, it stands out for its “work in the development of Oncology in Chile, what has contributed to the improvement in research, “teaching and diffusion of scientific knowledge”.

Dr. Corvalán, who is also an academic at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, it was broadly grateful this recognition. “I believe that this is a very important award, because visibilize the research as a cross-cutting activity of Oncology. And also, my role in the training of professionals and researchers is recognized, which involves a school within my medical profession”, explained ACCDiS specialist.

Cancer detection

Researcher at the Department of Hematology and Oncology of the PUC, he has devoted much of his career to research, especially in gastric cancer, pathology that generates the highest mortality in the country, due to late diagnosis. Among his major contributions to science and medicine, is the identification of the Epstein-Barr virus in gastric cancer and the discovery of the blood biomarker Reprimo, which hopes to detect malignant lesions in very early stages of the disease, when there are no symptoms. This marker, possible to be detected through a blood sample, it is being investigated in Chilean population, showing a 70% effectivity in tracking the injury.

“We continue to work with this biomarker for early detection in the circulating blood. Yet we must continue implementing this tool, that requires a chain of many efforts. But we hope to continue to advance, Since there are great expectations in this discovery since the disease, in general, and unfortunately, “is diagnosed late when it is at an advanced stage”.

For Corvalan, to diagnose early gastric cancer, constitutes a tool for public health and prevention, that could contribute to the management of this pathology in early stages, When it is possible to eradicate tumors and lead to a proper diagnosis in patients.

Training of professionals

During his career, Dr. Corvalan has also contributed to the training of graduate students and scholars to, in some cases, “now form part of the academic spectrum and in addition”, they are authors of numerous articles on cancer, published in high impact journals”.

Winner of projects such as Go to Innova Chile CORFO’s Market, the researcher has also explored the field of innovation and search of investors for the future validation of gastric cancer biomarkerin other countries of Latin America. At the same time, he hopes to continue analyzing new biomarkers of this evil cancer, in order to develop a more thorough test.

“My aspiration is that this tool is used at the level of public health. However, It may be that Reprimo itself alone not enough, and that is why, I am researching new markers, as well as, working on the development of methods to make more sensitive detection. Everything points to early detection, that no doubt, It can bring important results in the population”, comment the researcher.

To this award, delivered within the framework of the SLAGO 2017, adds the given by the Innovation Forum (AVONNI) in the year 2011 and the Chilean Academy of Medicine in the year 2015, fruit of his medical career and sustained line of research in the area of cancer. The later distinction was delivered in conjunction with the Dra. Catterina Ferreccio, Deputy Director of ACCDiS, was based on the “contributions to epidemiology, etiology and early recognition of neoplastic diseases in Chile”. (By: Carolina Todorovic. Agency Ines Llambias