The Colombian Association of Hematology and Oncology (ACHO), has awarded three grants through the ACHO Defying Cancer program, powered by EveryGrant®, from Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation. The ACHO Defying Cancer program supports innovative research projects from early-career and mid-career to senior investigators in the field of hematology and medical oncology in Colombia. 

Awarded to ACHO members, these awards aim to promote and support high-quality oncology research and improved cancer care in Colombia. 

Early-career investigators receive up to $25,000, and the mid-career to senior investigator receives up to $75,000 for a two-year grant term.  

The recipient of the ACHO Defying Cancer Award for Mid-Career/Senior Investigators is:  

Andres Cardona Zorrilla, MD 
Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center CTIC  
“The Oral, Fecal and Intratumoral Microbiome Atlas of Latino Patients with Solid Tumors” 

Dr. Cardona Zorilla will explore the relationship between cancer and the microorganisms in the body, known as the microbiome. Using samples from more than 125 patients, Dr. Zorilla and his colleagues will create a detailed atlas of the microbiome of Colombian patients with a variety of advanced solid cancers. This study could potentially lead to a better understanding of how microorganisms affect cancer development and how to improve current treatments.  

The recipients of the ACHO Defying Cancer Award for Early-Career Investigators are:  

Olga Patricia Londoño Ramirez, MD, MS 
Clinica Colsanitas SA 
“Caracterización de variantes germinales en genes relacionados con síndromes de cáncer hereditario en un grupo de pacientes colombianos y sus familias: Hacia una medicina de precisión” 

“Characterization of germline variants in genes related to hereditary cancer syndromes in a group of Colombian patients and their families: Towards precision medicine” 

Dr. Lodono Ramirez will study how inherited genetic variants (changed in genes that are passed down) affect cancer risk and clinical features in Colombian patients. Using patient data, his project will investigate how inherited genetic variants are transmitted in families and how they affect hereditary cancers. The results of this study could improve genetic counseling and provide important data to improve public health and cancer care in Colombia.  

Humberto Martinez-Cordero, MD 
Instituto Nacional De Cancerología 
“Body Composition and Outcomes in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma” 

Dr. Martinez-Cordero will study the use of body composition as a tool to evaluate how aging affects clinical outcomes in Colombian patients with multiple myeloma. Specifically, they will assess how body composition affects the toxicity related to stem cell transplantation therapy both during and after treatment, as well as survival outcomes. These results could provide an innovative way to assess the impacts of aging on cancer in resource-limited settings. 

“The ACHO Defying Cancer program reflects our deep commitment to fostering scientific excellence and empowering local investigators to generate knowledge that is relevant, innovative, and impactful,” says William Mantilla, member of the Board of Directors at ACHO. “We are proud to recognize and fund these outstanding projects, which represent the diversity of oncology research in Colombia—from precision medicine and hereditary cancer to microbiome science and real-world clinical outcomes.” 

About ACHO 
The Colombian Association of Hematology and Oncology (ACHO) is a non-profit association with a mission to stimulate and support research and advance scientific knowledge in the field of Hematology and Oncology, promoting activities to improve the quality of prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation and treatment of cancer in Colombia. The ACHO supports research through disease registries in both Hematology (RENEHOC) and Oncology (RENESOC). It also supports medical education through different symposia, congresses and seminars so that both doctors and patients have the resources they need to improve cancer care and outcomes of cancer patients. For more information, visit acho.com.co.  

About Conquer Cancer and EveryGrant^® 
Conquer Cancer^®, the ASCO Foundation, funds research for every cancer, every patient, everywhere. Since 1984, its Grants and Awards program has awarded more than $203 million through more than 9,800 grants and awards to improve cancer care and accelerate breakthroughs in clinical and translational oncology research. For more information visit, CONQUER.ORG. 

Powered by Conquer Cancer, EveryGrant empowers the oncology community to develop successful, outcome-driven funding programs without the burden of spending time or resources to build them in-house. This comprehensive grant management service leverages an extensive international network of cancer experts to help organizations maximize the impact of their funding and accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care.