Silvestre Vicent, a biologist at the CIMA of the University of Navarra, has received the 2006 Young Investigator Award, given by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). Elizabeth Shane, president of this association, which has a membership of approximately 4,000 researchers and clinicians, awarded the prize to Dr. Vicent in Philadelphia.

Dr. Vicent was the only Spaniard who was awarded the prize this year. His article, selected from among the 1,800 presented, consisted in the identification of a factor that induces the metastasis of lung cancer into the bone.

This complication is currently incurable, and produces pain, medullar compression and fractures which can be fatal to the patient. There are no existing therapies for preventing or ameliorating this complication of lung cancer.

Dr. Vicent's research was carried out in the laboratory directed by Dr. Fernando Lecanda, in the Oncology Area of the CIMA. Currently, Vicent is carrying out his research work at Stanford University (California), where he is studying the mechanisms for development of lung cancer.