Mariano Barbacid: The Spanish Scientist Who Revolutionized Cancer Research

The year was 1974 – a time of global upheaval marked by the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, the Watergate scandal’s climax with Richard Nixon’s resignation, and the rise of ABBA on the radio waves. It was also the year a young Mariano Barbacid, still years away from earning his doctorate, embarked on a new chapter in the United States.

A Foundation in Research

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) welcomed Barbacid as a postdoctoral fellow, fresh from completing his degree in Chemical Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid. Within four years, his command of English had dramatically improved, but more importantly, so had his skills as a researcher. He quickly established his own research group at the NCI and dedicated a decade to groundbreaking work.

The Discovery of the First Human Oncogene

Barbacid’s career reached a pivotal moment with the isolation of the first human oncogene – a gene that, through mutation, can trigger the development of cancer. This discovery laid the molecular foundations for understanding tumors in humans. Specifically, the isolation of the TRK oncogene from a colon carcinoma would, three decades later, contribute to the development of new treatments for this common form of cancer.

Did You Know? In 1998, José María Aznar, then President of the Spanish Government, personally requested that Dr. Barbacid return to Spain to establish the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO).

Founding the CNIO

Dr. Barbacid’s reputation grew, establishing him as a leading figure in oncology. Years later, he recounted to Margarita Salas, a prominent Spanish biochemist and former student of Nobel laureate Severo Ochoa, that she had previously rejected his application for a doctoral fellowship. In 1998, after a decade as Vice President of Preclinical Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Barbacid received a call from Madrid.

Alongside Aznar and the then-Minister of Health and Consumption, José Manuel Romay Beccaría, Barbacid presented the project to create the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO) – Spain’s first national cancer research center. At the time, Spain was the only country in the European Union lacking such an institution.

A Return to the Lab and Recent Advances

True to his word, Barbacid stepped down from the CNIO’s directorship once it was established in 2011, returning to the laboratory to focus on research. This decision paved the way for recent announcements, including the eradication of pancreatic cancer in mice through a combination of three drugs.

Expert Insight: Dr. Barbacid’s commitment to returning to the lab after establishing the CNIO demonstrates a prioritization of scientific discovery over administrative roles, a model that could encourage similar dedication within other research institutions.

Challenges and Transitions at the CNIO

Under Barbacid’s leadership and subsequent management, the CNIO has become a globally recognized center for cancer research, attracting scientists like Marisol Soengas, a leading expert in melanoma, and Manuel Valiente, focused on metastasis research. The center also boasts the involvement of Sara García Alonso, the first Spanish woman selected as a European Space Agency astronaut, as part of Dr. Barbacid’s team.

However, the CNIO has faced internal challenges, notably surrounding the arrival and eventual dismissal of María Blasco, who succeeded Barbacid as director. Blasco’s appointment in 2011 was marked by conflict involving Barbacid and then-Minister of Science, Cristina Garmendia, culminating in her dismissal by the Board of Trustees in January 2025. Blasco herself acknowledged the difficulties surrounding both her appointment, and departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Dr. Barbacid’s key scientific breakthrough?

Dr. Barbacid is best known for isolating the first human oncogene, a mutated gene capable of causing cancer. This discovery provided fundamental insights into the molecular basis of tumors.

When was the CNIO founded and why was it significant?

The CNIO was founded in 1998. It was significant because Spain was the only country in the European Union without a dedicated national cancer research center at the time.

What happened with the leadership transition at the CNIO after Dr. Barbacid?

María Blasco succeeded Dr. Barbacid as director in 2011, but her tenure was marked by internal conflict and ultimately led to her dismissal by the Board of Trustees in January 2025.

Given the complexities of cancer research and the challenges of institutional leadership, what role does sustained, long-term funding play in fostering breakthroughs like those emerging from the CNIO?