Solid tumors

Non-coding RNA–mediated mechanisms in malignant transformation

Non-coding RNA–mediated mechanisms in malignant transformation

Our research group brings together multidisciplinary expertise to investigate the role of epigenetics and non-coding RNAs in oncological and autoimmune diseases. We focus on the molecular mechanisms driving EBV-associated and non-EBV B-cell lymphomas, as well as solid tumors and autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Our projects also explore innovative therapeutic strategies based on nanoparticle-mediated delivery of drugs, microRNAs, and modified microRNAs. The team includes four PhD students and one postdoctoral research fellow.

OncoOmics Lab – Cancer Multi-Omics and Translational Biology

OncoOmics Lab – Cancer Multi-Omics and Translational Biology

Il OncoOmics Lab – Cancer Multi-Omics and Translational Biology si focalizza sull’integrazione di dati genomici, trascrittomici, metabolomici e proteomici per comprendere i meccanismi di resistenza ai trattamenti nei tumori solidi. Il gruppo studia la riprogrammazione metabolica, l’adattamento mitocondriale e il ruolo delle cellule staminali tumorali, con particolare attenzione a prostata e polmone.

CAR-T with License to Kill Solid Tumors in Search of a Winning Strategy

Artificial receptors designed for adoptive immune therapies need to absolve dual functions: antigen recognition and abilities to trigger the lytic machinery of reprogrammed effector T lymphocytes. In this way, CAR-T cells deliver their cytotoxic hit to cancer cells expressing targeted tumor antigens, bypassing the limitation of HLA-restricted antigen recognition.

Choice of costimulatory domains and of cytokines determines CAR T-cell activity in neuroblastoma

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been shown to be dramatically effective in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, there are still substantial obstacles to overcome, before similar responses can be achieved in patients with solid tumors. We evaluated both in vitro and in a preclinical murine model the efficacy of different 2nd and 3rd generation CAR constructs targeting GD2, a disial-ganglioside expressed on the surface of neuroblastoma (NB) tumor cells.

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