Mikel Portu

Dr. Mikel Portu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 June 2025 in European Journal of Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LCLuis Del Carpio
Luis Del Carpio
MRMar Varela Rodríguez
Mar Varela Rodríguez
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
SVSergi Villatoro
Sergi Villatoro
EPElvira Purqueras
Elvira Purqueras
JPJosep M. Piulats
Josep M. Piulats
To determine whether key molecular alterations in primary uveal melanoma (UM), including mutations and somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs), serve as prognostic markers in metastatic UM (MUM). Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of clinical and molecular data from UM and MUM patients. A total of 220 patients with primary UM treated at Hospital de Bellvitge, including 79 (36 %) who developed metastases, primarily in the liver. Genetic analyses of primary tumors included hotspot mutation testing for GNAQ, GNA11, and SF3B1, along with SCNA assessment (chromosomes 3, 8, 1, and 6) via Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models assessed the impact of genetic alterations on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Monosomy 3 (M3) and chromosome 8q amplification (8A) were associated with shorter RFS (p < 0.0001) in primary UM but did not impact OS in MUM (p = 0.33). SF3B1 mutations (SF3B1m) conferred significantly longer OS in MUM (31.7 vs. 11.8 months, p = 0.001), independently confirmed in multivariate analysis (HR=0.26, p = 0.01), irrespective of tebentafusp treatment. Traditional chromosomal markers stratify primary UM but fail to predict OS in MUM. SF3B1m emerges as a novel prognostic factor, indicating a distinct biological phenotype with potential therapeutic implications. Further studies are warranted to validate its prognostic and therapeutic relevance in MUM.

16 March 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
Mario BalsaMario Balsa
Mario Balsa
MRMaria Cotaina Recio
Maria Cotaina Recio
GAGeorgia Anguera
Georgia Anguera
XMXavier Garcia Del Muro
Xavier Garcia Del Muro
PMPablo p maroto Maroto
Pablo p maroto Maroto
Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) driven by TFE3 rearrangement or TFEB alteration (MiT-RCC) account for up to 40% of pediatric RCCs but are rare in adults. MiT-RCC includes fusion-driven tumors with TFE3 or TFEB rearrangements (translocation RCC, tRCC) and TFEB-amplified RCC. Morphologic heterogeneity and historical exclusion from trials have limited evidence-based management. We reviewed the literature through January 2026 to summarize molecular biology, pathology, clinical behavior, and systemic therapy. MiT-RCC comprises biologically distinct entities: TFEB-rearranged tumors are often indolent in younger patients, whereas TFEB-amplified RCC, frequently co-amplifying VEGFA, behaves aggressively in older adults. In TFE3-rearranged RCC, fusion partner influences prognosis. Paradoxically, ASPSCR1::TFE3 fusions have the poorest natural history, yet fusion-annotated cohorts suggest these tumors may derive particular benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI) combinations. Diagnostic advances including GPNMB immunohistochemistry, TRIM63 RNA in situ hybridization, and sequencing-based fusion panels improve detection of cryptic alterations. First-line ICI + VEGFR-TKI combinations are increasingly favored for metastatic tRCC in eligible patients, while optimal management of TFEB-amplified RCC remains uncertain.

27 May 2026 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
JSJudit Sanz-Beltran
Judit Sanz-Beltran
MBMaría Alejandra Duarte Borges
María Alejandra Duarte Borges
JNJulieta Navarro
Julieta Navarro
AAAlexandra Arias
Alexandra Arias
PMPablo p maroto Maroto
Pablo p maroto Maroto
Pembrolizumab is standard adjuvant therapy for high-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma, but serositis is an uncommon immune-related adverse event that may mimic recurrence or infection. We report a 55-year-old man who achieved no evidence of disease after nephrectomy and metastasectomy and developed anasarca, large bilateral pleural effusions, mild ascites, peripheral eosinophilia, and a small pericardial effusion after six cycles of adjuvant pembrolizumab. Pleural fluid was exudative and contained 20% eosinophils. Cytology showed inflammatory cells without evidence of malignancy; bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal studies were negative; and mildly elevated adenosine deaminase did not support tuberculosis. Cardiac function and natriuretic peptides were preserved. Pembrolizumab was discontinued, thoracentesis and corticosteroids were administered, and symptoms, eosinophilia, renal function, and albumin improved rapidly. Follow-up through March 2026 showed no oncologic progression, although some residual pleural and abdominal fluid persisted alongside imaging findings suggestive of portal-hypertension physiology, which may have contributed to residual fluid but did not explain the eosinophilic pleural syndrome. In a targeted literature review, effusion eosinophil data were infrequently reported. This case highlights a likely underrecognized eosinophilic pleural-fluid phenotype within pembrolizumab-associated polyserositis and supports routine differential cell counts in drained serosal fluid when immune-related serositis is suspected.

28 October 2023 in Acta Oncologica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Marcus SkribekMarcus Skribek
Marcus Skribek
Hans BrunnströmHans Brunnström
Hans Brunnström
GOGudrun Oskarsdottir
Gudrun Oskarsdottir
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
OAOzan Aricak
Ozan Aricak
SESimon Ekman
Simon Ekman
Real-World evidence on mesenchymal-epithelial transition exon 14 skipping mutations (METex14) in lung cancer remains limited. With an incidence of 3-4% across histological subtypes, METex14 is now an actionable target for MET inhibitors (METi) in advanced lung cancer, demonstrating response rates between 30-70%. Yet, its role in early stages and sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is still under exploration. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of lung cancer patients presenting with METex14 across all stages. These patients were treated at two Swedish University Hospitals: Karolinska and Skåne, between the years 2014 and 2022. We identified a total of 63 patients, of which 50 met the inclusion criteria. The median overall survival (OS) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) according to the stage was not reached (NR) for stage I, NR for stage II, 15 months (95% CI, 5.4-24.6) for stage III, and 17 months (95% CI, 9.2-NR) for stage IV. The median OS for stage IV patients who received a METi was 17 months (95% CI, 9.5-NR) vs. 10 months (95% CI, 6.2-NR) in patients without METi (p = 0.92; Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.07). The median OS for stage IV patients who received ICIs was 18 months (95% CI, 16.5-NR) vs. 6 months (95% CI, 2.5-NR) in patients without ICIs (p = 0.15; HR = 0.47). The median OS for stage IV patients who received chemotherapy was 17 months (95% CI, 9.7-NR) vs. 10 months (95% CI, 4.5-NR) in patients without (p = 0.97; HR = 0.98). Our data suggest limited survival benefits from METi, ICIs, and chemotherapy for METex14 lung cancer patients. While not statistically significant, these findings underscore the need for larger trials for validation. Identifying effective treatments for this challenging lung cancer subtype remains a priority.

18 July 2025 in Clinical Lung Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
SMSergio Martinez-Recio
Sergio Martinez-Recio
ABAndres Barba
Andres Barba
AGAlan Gonzalez
Alan Gonzalez
LLLaura López
Laura López
MMMargarita Majem
Margarita Majem

26 February 2026 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
MPMikel Portu
Mikel Portu
Mario BalsaMario Balsa
Mario Balsa
MRMaria Cotaina Recio
Maria Cotaina Recio
GAGeorgia Anguera
Georgia Anguera
XMXavier Garcia Del Muro
Xavier Garcia Del Muro
PMPablo p maroto Maroto
Pablo p maroto Maroto
Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) driven by TFE3 rearrangement or TFEB alteration (MiT-RCC) account for up to 40% of pediatric RCC but are rare in adults. MiT-RCC includes fusion-driven tumors with TFE3 or TFEB rearrangements (translocation RCC, tRCC) and TFEB-amplified RCC. Morphologic heterogeneity and historical exclusion from trials have limited evidence-based management. We reviewed literature through January 2026 to summarize molecular biology, pathology, clinical behavior, and systemic therapy. MiT-RCC comprises biologically distinct entities: TFEB-rearranged tumors are often indolent in younger patients, whereas TFEB-amplified RCC, frequently co-amplifying VEGFA, behaves aggressively in older adults. In TFE3-rearranged RCC, fusion partner influences prognosis. Paradoxically, ASPSCR1–TFE3 fusions have the poorest natural history, yet fusion-annotated cohorts suggest these tumors may derive particular benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI) combinations. Diagnostic advances including GPNMB immunohistochemistry, TRIM63 RNA in situ hybridization, and sequencing-based fusion panels improve detection of cryptic alterations. First-line ICI + VEGFR-TKI combinations are increasingly favored for metastatic tRCC in eligible patients, while optimal management of TFEB-amplified RCC remains uncertain.