Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, M.D., F.A.A.N., F.A.A.A.S.
Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Tenure Award, Department of Neuro-Oncology - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Faculty Member, Cancer Biology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Faculty Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Dr. Gomez-Manzano’s laboratory is involved in basic and translational-oriented research with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for patients with malignant gliomas and brain metastases. In collaboration with Dr. Fueyo, her laboratory developed an oncolytic adenovirus, Delta-24-RGD, that has been tested in several clinical trials in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, with encouraging results. Her studies illustrate that Delta-24-RGD treatment results in activation of the Th1 immune response against tumor antigens. The paradigm shift in the mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of oncolytic viruses, from oncolysis to a combination of oncolysis and immunotherapy, has important implications in cancer therapy. Dr. Gomez-Manzano’s team is aiming to ascertain whether the use of immune modulators, such as immune checkpoint regulators, can be used to increase the anti-tumor immune response elicited by the virus. Her laboratory has participated in the generation of several armed-oncolytic adenoviruses, some of which have already moved to clinical testing in solid tumors. In addition, her group is examining if viroimmunotherapy might result in an induction of abscopal effect, which will eradicate not only infiltrative cells but also metastatic dissemination. Her research has been continuously supported by NIH, Department of Defense, CPRIT, and generous funding by private foundations. Biological agents generated in her lab have been/are being tested in Phase I and II clinical trials for adult and pediatric cancer patients, including metastatic disease.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1988 | University Central of Barcelona, Barcelona, ES, MD, Medicine and General Surgery |
Postgraduate Training
| 2017-2017 | Education, Mentoring Works! (Wisconsin Center for Education Research at The University of Wisconsin), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas |
| 2014-2015 | Leadership, Heart of Leadership, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1994-1997 | Research Fellowship, Experimental Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1989-1992 | Clinical Residency, Neurology, University Autonomous of Barcelona, Barcelona |
Licenses & Certifications
| 1988 | Medicine |
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | D. Dudley and Judy White Oldham Faculty Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2024 - Present | Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) |
| 2023 | Potu N. Rao Award for Excellence in Basic Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2023 | Commendation recipient, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2023 - Present | Elected Honorary Member, Association of Spanish Scientists in U.S. (ECUSA) |
| 2023 - Present | Elected Fellow, American Academy of Neurology (AAN) |
| 2022 | Nomination - Emil Frei, III Award for Excellence in Translational Research, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 - Present | Fellow, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy |
| 2022 | Nomination - McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2021 | NCI - Highlight in the National Cancer Act 50th Anniversary Commemoration: Cancer Research Starts Here: Accelerating Our Understanding of Cancer into the Future, National Cancer Institute |
| 2019 | Nomination - The William Randolph Hearst Foundations Faculty Achievement Education Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 - Present | Member, Spanish Selection of Science, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
| 2014 - 2019 | Nomination- Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2014 | Finalist- Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Waun Ki Hong Award for Excellence Team Science (Delta-24 Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2009 | Who's Who in America, 2009 Edition, Marquis Who's Who |
| 2009 | Nomination - Waun Ki Hong Award for Excellence Team Science (Delta-24 Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2003 | Outstanding Educator, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1995 | Travel grant, American Association for Cancer Research |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Lopez-Rivas A, Gillard A, Fueyo J, Gomez-Manzano C. Implications of 9p21.3 deletion in viroimmunotherapy for gliomas. Neuro-Oncol. e-Pub 2026.
Book Chapters
- Martinez-Velez N, Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J, Patiño-Garcia A, Alonso MM. Oncolytic Virotherapy for Gliomas: A Preclinical and Clinical Summary. In: Gene Therapy in Neurological Disorders. 1st edition. Academic Press (Elsevier), 357-384, 2018.
- Xipell E, Rivera-Molina Y, Gomez-Manzano C, Jiang H, Alonso MM, Alemany R, Fueyo J. Conditionally replicative adenoviruses-Clinical trials. In: Adenoviral Vectors for Gene Therapy. 2nd. Elsevier, Academic Press, 335-348, 2016.
- Balvers RK, Gomez-Manzano C, Jiang H, Piya S, Klein SR, Lamfers MLM, Dirven CMF, Fueyo J. Advances in Oncolytic Virotherapy for Brain Tumors. In: Gene Therapy of Cancer. 3rd. Elsevier, 137-151, 2014.
- Alonso MM, Jiang H, Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J. Targeting Brain Tumor Stem Cells with Oncolytic Adenoviruses. In: Methods Mol Biol. Humana Press, 111-25, 2012.
- Gomez-Manzano C, Jiang H, Alonso M, Yung WK, Fueyo J. Gene Therapy. In: Handb Clin Neurol. 3rd. Elsevier, 331-8, 2012.
- Alonso M, Fueyo J, Gomez-Manzano C. Malignant Gliomas: Role of E2F1 Transcription Factor. In: Methods of Cancer Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prognosis. Springer, 89-97, 2011.
- Alonso MM, Fueyo J, Johnson DG, Gomez-Manzano C. The oncogenic role of E2F1 in brain tumors. In: Control of Cellular Physiology by E2F Transcription Factors. Research Signpost, 257-270, 2008.
- Alonso MM, Gomez-Manzano C, Alemany R, Jiang H, McCormick F, Fueyo J. Conditionally replicative adenoviruses as antitumoral agents: Past, present and future. In: Cancer and Gene Therapy. Transworld Research Network, 41-54, 2007.
- Jiang H, McCormick F, Gomez-Manzano C, Curiel DT, Lang FF, Yung WKA, Fueyo J. Replicating viruses for brain tumor treatment. In: Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders. Taylor and Francis Group, 293-326, 2006.
- Fueyo J, Gomez-Manzano C, McDonnell TJ. Regulation of Cell-Cycle and Apoptosis in Human Brain Tumors. In: Brain Tumors. In series: Contemporary Cancer Research. Part II. Humana Press Inc, 249-264, 2005.
- Stolarek R, Fueyo J, Gomez-Manzano C, Jiang H, Yung WKA. Gene Therapy for Gliomas: Targeting the Cancer Genome. In: Genomic and Molecular Neuro-Oncology. In series: Molecular Oncology and Cancer Genomics. Jones and Bartlett Publishers Inc, 281-302, 2003.
- Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J, Yung WKA. Gene therapy approaches for gliomas. In: Brain Cancer. In series: American Cancer Society Atlas. BC Decker Inc Publisher, 219-237, 2001.
- Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J, Kyritsis AP, Yung WKA. Tumor suppressor gene therapy for brain tumors. In: Gene Transfer and Therapy for Neurological Disorders & Brain Tumors. Humana Press Inc, 225-239, 1998.
Patents
- Adenovirus and immunomodulator combination therapy. Patent Number: MDA14-044; International Patent Application PCT/US2017/35041.
- Combination therapies using oncolytic adenovirus and immunomodulation. Patent Number: Provisional App. No. 61/637,191; PTC/US2013/023304.
- Mutant oncolytic adenovirus to target the E2F-1 pathway. Patent Number: MDA99-039.
- Use of VEGF antagonists for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Patent Number: Serial US 11/373,462/Patent 7,354,582.
- Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J. Infectivity-enhanced conditionally-replicative adenovirus and uses thereof. Patent Number: MDA10-128; U.S. Serial No. 12/636,134; US 14/18,259.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 18, 2026