During the PhD thesis, I studied the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 with palbociclib in HER2-positive breast cancer as a therapeutic approach to increase the effectiveness of standard anti-HER2 therapies, consisting of the use of trastuzumab and pertuzumab. I developed both in vitro and in vivo experiments using cell cultures and molecular biology techniques. I maintained cell lines and performed viability assays, Western blot, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and microscopy. I also carried out experiments with complex preclinical models, such as 3D tissue cultures, organoids, and cell co-cultures, and processed patient tumor samples ex vivo. My results demonstrated that the combination of these drugs induced cellular senescence in vitro. In 2024, I started my postdoctoral work, during which I developed new techniques necessary for our research group. I wrote the laboratory protocols and provided support in the general management and organization of the laboratory. I also trained new members of the group in the proper management and compliance of the protocols and procedures.
Summary
Work Experience
FUNDACIÓ IMIM
Assistant Laboratory Technician
September 2022 - February 2024
Carry out experimental techniques in the field of the study of genetic material and molecular biology, techniques for manipulating cell cultures, cell modification for gene therapy, and techniques for the localization and quantification of protein molecules (Western Blot and immunohistochemistry). Also carry out studies on in vivo experimental animals for the aforementioned project.
Proyect: Predicting residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer and identifying strategies to overcome resistance.
CIBERONC
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
November 2024 - Now
Continuation and expansion of existing projects in the group. Development of in vivo and in vitro experiments in cell cultures and molecular biology. Maintenance of cell lines and viability tests, Western blot, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and microscopy. Carrying out experiments with complex preclinical models (tissue culture, 3D, organoids, cell co-cultures). Processing of human samples (tumour samples from patients, blood, etc.) Development of new techniques required by the group. writing, reviewing, and supervising the group's protocols. Writing scientific articles for the publication of results. preparation of project monitoring reports. Analysis, writing, and dissemination of results at scientific conferences. - Support for the management and general organisation of the laboratory. Training new members of the group in the correct work and compliance with the group's protocols and procedures.
Projects
Characterization and therapeutic impact of the ecology of HER2-positive breast cancer. INSTITUTO DE SALUD CARLOS III
Predoctoral
September 2021 - September 2022
Prediction of residual disease following neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer and identification of strategies to overcome resistance. INSTITUTO DE SALUD CARLOS III
Predoctoral
September 2022 - December 2024
Identification and prediction biomarkers using TMA analysis in breast cancer patients
Main participant
October 2017 - December 2018
Evaluate senescence and the senolytic effect of digoxin in mouse and human tumor explants (ex-vivo) in the framework of the Cancer Innova Program. KAERTOR
Main participant
June 2022 - October 2023
Thesis: Effects of palbociclib on the cellular and immune response to trastuzumab and pertuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer
Main participant
January 2019 - October 2023
Evaluate senescence and the senolytic effect of Bcl-2 inhibitors in mouse and human tumor explants (ex-vivo)
Main participant
October 2022 - June 2024
Education
University of Medical Sciences of Havana
Clinical medicine
2010 - 2016
University of Barcelona
Oncology - Master in Clinical Research
2016 - 2017
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Doctor of Medicine
2019 - 2023
Achievements
Cuba Unilateral Scholarship for Undergrad's Degree Students（2009 to 2016）
China Scholarship Council for Master's Degree Students (2016 to 2017)
China Scholarship Council for PhD's Degree Students (2017 to 2021)
Publications
Title: mTOR inhibition and trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Authors: David Casadevall# , Anna Hernandez-Prat# , Sara Garcia-Alonso, Oriol Arpi Llucia, Silvia Menendez, Mengjuan Qin et al., Molecular Cancer Research 2022
Title: Enhancing Immunotherapy Efficacy through PD-L1 upregulation: The promise of combining Anti-PD-L1 and mTOR inhibitors
Authors: Anna Hernández-Prat, Alejo Rodriguez-Vida, Laura Cardona, Mengjuan Qin et al., Molecular Oncology 2024
Title: Enhancing CDK4/6 inhibition and anti-HER2 therapy by targeting senescence in HER2+ breast cancer
Mengjuan Qin et al., Submitted to Cancer Discovery (under review, major revision) 2024
Participation in international conferences
Title: Dual HER2 blockade and CDK4/6 inhibition modulate tumor intrinsic immune response markers in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Authors: Mengjuan Qin et al., Congress: IV Young Researchers Meeting of CIBERONC/CIBER-BBN. 13-14 December 2021, Barcelona, Spain.
Title: Mechanisms of acquired resistance to trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and palbociclib in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Authors: Mengjuan Qin et al., Congress: European Association for Cancer Research Congress (EACR)—Innovative Cancer Science: Translating Biology to Medicine. 20-23 June 2022, Seville, Spain. 2021 2-Year Impact Factor: 7.449
Title: Resistance to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in HER2-positive breast cancer cells.
Authors: Luis Soria-Jiménez, Mengjuan Qin et al., Congress: European Association for Cancer Research Congress (EACR)—Innovative Cancer Science: Translating Biology to Medicine. 20-23 June 2022, Seville, Spain. 2021
Title: The role of mTOR inhibitors in the tumor immune microenvironment and PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer.
Authors: Anna Hernández-Prat, Alejo Rodriguez-Vida, Mengjuan Qin et al., Congress: European Association for Cancer Research Congress (EACR)—Innovative Cancer Science: Translating Biology to Medicine. 20-23 June 2022, Seville, Spain. 2021
Title: The role of mTOR inhibitor TAK-228 in the tumor immune microenvironment and PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer’s preclinical models.
Authors: Anna Hernández-Prat, Raúl del Rey, Fabricio Quimis, Mengjuan Qin et al. Congress: ASEICA 40th anniversary. 14-16 November 2023, A coruña, Spain.
Skills
Molecular biology
Cell culture, molecular analysis including protein and gene expression
Statistical analysis
programs R, SPSS, machine learning and python
Manipulation in vivo analysis
Certificate of use of experimental animals level A+B+C+D