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Dr. Roger Gomis, founder of Inbiomotion, together with current CEO Joël Jean-Mairet, partner at Ysios Capital. Foto / IRB
 22.07.2025

Reference hospitals incorporate the MAF Test developed by an IRB Barcelona spinoff to improve breast cancer treatment

A large group of public and private hospitals in Barcelona and Madrid will be pioneers in testing the MAF Test®, a diagnostic test developed by Inbiomotion, a spin-off of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), located in the Barcelona Science Park. This groundbreaking test helps oncologists determine which breast cancer patients should be treated with bisphosphonates to improve their prognosis and survival. The test is already being marketed in Spain, Portugal, Italy, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

These are the first public and private centres in Spain to incorporate this pioneering test for breast cancer patients. Widespread roll-out of the MAF Test® could increase the survival rate for nearly 80% of the 33,000 early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed each year in Spain, according to 2024 estimates from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).

The MAF Test® predicts the prognosis of breast cancer patients and helps oncologists identify those in whom metastasis could be prevented and who might benefit from adjuvant treatment with bisphosphonates (drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis). Furthermore, the MAF Test® identifies patients whose prognosis would worsen if treated with bisphosphonates, thereby preventing their exposure to unnecessary treatments that would not provide benefit.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, with over 2 million new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and of these, between 15% and 20% may go on to develop metastasis. The ability to identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and to personalize their treatment is vital for improving both their survival and quality of life.

This announcement follows a recent publication in Nature Cell Biology that provides key data to elucidate the biology of the MAF biomarker. In that study, a team at IRB Barcelona led by ICREA researcher Dr. Roger Gomis, lider of the Growth Control and Cancer Metastasis lab and co-founder of Inbiomotion, revealed the mechanism by which MAF gene amplification increases the risk of metastasis in breast cancer. This discovery is a crucial step towards understanding the molecular basis of metastasis and has significant clinical implications for the future treatment of the disease.

According to Dr. Roger Gomis, “it’s fantastic news to announce the adoption of the MAF Test in leading hospital centres, which reinforces our commitment to improving cancer care within the healthcare system. This announcement represents a significant step forward in increasing diagnostic capabilities and enhancing clinical outcomes for early-stage breast cancer patients. We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with these hospitals, aiming to empower healthcare professionals and achieve a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives.”

“It is very exciting to see how pioneering research developed in Barcelona is translating into tangible improvements for our patients. Having the possibility to perform the MAF Test at our hospital will allow us to more easily identify patients at high risk of metastasis and tailor treatments to improve their survival”, said Dr. Sònia Servitja, Medical Oncologist and Head of the Breast Cancer Section at the Oncology Department of Hospital del Mar (Barcelona).

As part of the process, Dr. Servitja tested one of her patients, Aliki Nikolaou, who was very thankful for the insights into her specific case. “I think that regardless of my result, having more information about your case and personalizing the treatment is crucial. For me, research means precisely that: gaining more knowledge, feeling secure in your choices, and ultimately, being here today — thanks to science”.

Finally, Dr. Aleix Prat, Director of the Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chair of the Precision Oncology Innovation at the University of Barcelona (UB), concluded: “Precision oncology requires integrating clinically validated biomarkers that help us tailor treatments to the biological risk of each tumor. The MAF Test is an excellent example of how biomedical research can generate useful, accessible tools that improve decision-making and quality of care. Its implementation in hospitals represents another step toward more effective, safer, and personalized medicine”.

» Link to the news: Inbiomotion website [+]