Browsing by Author "Casavilca-Zambrano, Sandro"

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Chilean Biobanks: A Snapshot of the Current Landscape
(Mary Ann Lieber, 2025) Iskra A. , Signore; Romero, Diego I.; Donoso, Gerardo; Selman, Carolina; Espinosa-Parrilla, Yolanda; Fuentes-Guajardo, Macarena; Bambs, Claudia; Alcalde, Elisa; Calderón, Alejandra; Corvalán, Camila; Casavilca-Zambrano, Sandro; Roa, Juan Carlos; Colombo, Alicia
Latin America hosts extraordinary biological diversity but remains underrepresented in global biomedical research, underscoring the need for robust biobanking infrastructures. This work provides an updated snapshot of Chilean biobanks, based on a national survey exploring their current capacities and challenges. Nine active biobanks were identified across 5 of Chile’s 16 regions, the majority concentrated in Santiago. Collectively, they store over 640,000 biospecimens from nearly 49,000 participants, predominantly oncological. While standardized protocols for sample management are broadly implemented by Chilean biobanks, data management practices are not yet well-developed, as only a few centers have adopted internationally recognized standards. Governance structures vary considerably and often lack formal written documentation. Financial sustainability relies mainly on institutional support, competitive grants, and modest cost recovery. Although Chilean biobanks contribute to research and training, measuring productivity remains challenging due to underreported acknowledgments and limited post-transfer traceability. Overall, our analysis suggests a bottom-up development of Chilean biobanks in the absence of dedicated legislation or strategic governmental policies. This overview shows that Chile’s biobanks hold considerable potential for strengthening translational research and health equity, particularly if further support enables expansion into underrepresented regions. By integrating these infrastructures into higher education, clinical care, and broader regional collaborations, biobanks can help leverage Chilean genetic diversity and address health disparities. With greater governmental prioritization, a cohesive regulatory framework, and collaboration as a key strength, biobanks could enhance interaction with global networks and further strengthen Latin America’s overall contribution to biomedical innovation
Metallomic profile in non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma supports a phenomenon of metal metabolism adaptation in tumor cells
(Nature, 2021) Cano, Luis; Bertani, Stéphane; Island, Marie-Laure; Cerapio, Juan Pablo; Ruiz, Eloy; Pineau, Pascal; Monbet, Valérie; Boudjema, Karim; Taxa, Luis; Casavilca-Zambrano, Sandro; Ropert, Martine; Turlin, Bruno; Loréal, Olivier
We have previously described a form of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic liver (HCC-NC) developed by Peruvian patients. We analyzed the metallomic profile in hepatic tissues from two independent cohorts exhibiting HCC-NC. Clinical, histopathological data, and HCC and non-tumoral liver (NTL) samples of 38 Peruvian and 38 French HCC-NC patients, were studied. Twelve metals were quantified using ICP/MS: Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Sn. Associations between metals and survival were assessed. Our data showed significant differences between cohorts. Mean ages were 40.6 ± 20, 67.5 ± 9 years old for Peruvians and French, respectively. Fifty percent of the Peruvian patients were positive for the HBsAg, versus 3% in French patients. Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Cd, Sn metal concentrations were higher in NTL of Peruvians. Importantly, metal concentrations were lower in HCC areas compared to NTL tissues in both cohorts, except for Cu for which mean concentration was higher in HCC (p < 0.05). Se concentration in HCC was associated with extended survival only in Peruvians. Our data, obtained in Peruvian and French HCC-NC cohorts, highlights similarity in the metallomic profile of HCC compared to NTL during the hepatic tumorigenesis in these specific groups of patients.
Natural Occurrence of Mycotoxin-Producing Fusaria in Market-Bought Peruvian Cereals: A Food Safety Threat for Andean Populations
(MDPI, 2021) Ducos, Christine; Pinson-Gadais, Laetitia; Chereau, Sylvain; Richard-Forget, Florence; Vásquez-Ocmín, Pedro; Cerapio, Juan Pablo; Casavilca-Zambrano, Sandro; Ruiz, Eloy; Pineau, Pascal; Bertani, Stéphane; Ponts, Nadia
Consumption of cereals contaminated by mycotoxins poses health risks. For instance, Fumonisins B, mainly produced by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum, and the type B trichothecene deoxynivalenol, typically produced by Fusarium graminearum, are highly prevalent on cereal grains that are staples of many cultural diets and known to represent a toxic risk hazard. In Peru, corn and other cereals are frequently consumed on a daily basis under various forms, the majority of food grains being sold through traditional markets for direct consumption. Here, we surveyed mycotoxin contents of market-bought grain samples in order to assess the threat these mycotoxins might represent to Peruvian population, with a focus on corn. We found that nearly one sample of Peruvian corn out of six was contaminated with very high levels of Fumonisins, levels mostly ascribed to the presence of F. verticillioides. Extensive profiling of Peruvian corn kernels for fungal contaminants could provide elements to refine the potential risk associated with Fusarium toxins and help define adapted food safety standards.