The mayor of Guadalajara, Ana Guarinos, officially opened the 2026-2027 Cultural Course of the Fundación Siglo Futuro on 24 October 2026. The event, held at the Salón de Actos of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, featured a keynote address by Mariano Barbacid, an internationally recognised figure in cancer research.
Barbacid, who is widely regarded as one of Spain's most prominent researchers in the fight against cancer, delivered a lecture titled “Clinical trials in oncology: generating new drugs against pancreatic cancer.” This talk is part of the “Medicine and Public Health” series, sponsored by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Spain, and attracted a large audience eager to learn about the latest scientific advancements in cancer treatment.
During her speech, Guarinos praised the Fundación Siglo Futuro as a significant cultural reference point for the city and expressed her gratitude for Barbacid's return to Guadalajara for the third consecutive year. She described him as “one of the most recognised Spanish scientists in the world” and a role model of excellence, commitment, and service to society, stating, “I am a fan; I never miss any of his conferences.”
The mayor emphasised the importance of biomedical research and conveyed a message of support for science as a tool for progress and hope. She highlighted Barbacid's extraordinary career, noting his pioneering contributions to modern molecular oncology and his role in enhancing the understanding of the genetic causes of cancer, leading to increasingly precise treatments.
Guarinos also pointed out the international impact of the recent work conducted by Barbacid's team at the National Centre for Cancer Research (CNIO), particularly in the area of pancreatic cancer research, which is one of the most promising avenues for developing new therapies against this challenging disease.
In his presentation, Barbacid discussed the latest advancements in pancreatic cancer research and the challenges posed by the disease. “The great challenge is no longer just to develop new drugs, but to prevent the tumour from developing resistances that negate their effectiveness,” he explained. He shared promising results from therapeutic strategies that block multiple molecular pathways involved in tumour growth, indicating that this combination therapy is significantly more effective than conventional treatments in slowing tumour development and reducing resistance mechanisms.
This innovative approach offers a promising pathway for the development of more precise and personalised oncological treatments, raising hopes for translating these advancements into future clinical trials involving patients.
Juan Garrido, president of the Fundación Siglo Futuro, also spoke at the inauguration, reflecting on the institution's 36 years of promoting culture, art, science, tolerance, and freedom. He acknowledged the vital support from public institutions, collaborating companies, academic entities, and nearly 400 members that enable the foundation to bring some of the most prominent figures in science, literature, and contemporary thought to Guadalajara this academic year.
With this conference, Guadalajara reaffirms its status as a hub for knowledge and the exchange of ideas, hosting distinguished personalities from the scientific, cultural, and academic fields, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Fundación Siglo Futuro.
