AICF's 2021-22 Fellows:
Project Abstracts
Elisa Bergaggio, PhD
Generation of ALK CAR-T Cells for Neuroblastoma Therapy
"I obtained my PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2019 at the University of Torino. During the last months of the PhD, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Roberto Chiarle at Boston Children’s Hospital where I’m currently doing my post-doc to find new therapies for neuroblastoma, the most deadly cancer in children. In particular, my research is focused on the generation of ALK chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells to specifically target the ALK protein expressed on the surface of neuroblastoma cells. This strategy can eventually be associated with other drugs, including ALK inhibitors, to improve patient’s outcome."
Generation of ALK CAR-T Cells for Neuroblastoma Therapy
"I obtained my PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2019 at the University of Torino. During the last months of the PhD, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Roberto Chiarle at Boston Children’s Hospital where I’m currently doing my post-doc to find new therapies for neuroblastoma, the most deadly cancer in children. In particular, my research is focused on the generation of ALK chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells to specifically target the ALK protein expressed on the surface of neuroblastoma cells. This strategy can eventually be associated with other drugs, including ALK inhibitors, to improve patient’s outcome."
Giuseppina Caligiuri, PhD
Establishing the role of type I/II interferon response in Kras-mediated immunosuppression
"I obtained my PhD in January 2020 at the University of Glasgow and then I joined the laboratory of Dr. David Tuveson at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to study pancreatic cancer. Despite the effectiveness of immunotherapies, the majority of pancreatic cancer patients do not respond to them. With the AICF support, I will study the mechanisms behind this resistance to immunotherapy. I will investigate how KRAS, the gene that if mutated leads to development of pancreatic cancer, highjacks pathways that are normally used by the immune system to fight off infections to promote cancer growth and inhibit the physiological function of immune cells."
Establishing the role of type I/II interferon response in Kras-mediated immunosuppression
"I obtained my PhD in January 2020 at the University of Glasgow and then I joined the laboratory of Dr. David Tuveson at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to study pancreatic cancer. Despite the effectiveness of immunotherapies, the majority of pancreatic cancer patients do not respond to them. With the AICF support, I will study the mechanisms behind this resistance to immunotherapy. I will investigate how KRAS, the gene that if mutated leads to development of pancreatic cancer, highjacks pathways that are normally used by the immune system to fight off infections to promote cancer growth and inhibit the physiological function of immune cells."
Tiziana Caputo, PhD
Dissecting the mechanisms controlling the onset of lung cancer-associated cachexia
"Since my undergraduate studies, I have always been fascinated by cancer and metabolism. I obtained my PhD at the University of Lausanne where I studied the mechanisms regulating the onset of inflammation in white adipose tissue in the context of obesity. I then moved to the Joslin Diabetes Center where I have joined the Laurie Goodyear's laboratory. Here I investigate the metabolic alterations leading to the development of cachexia in lung cancer. With the support of AIFC, I aim to discover new therapeutical targets that will have a significant impact on the prevention and/or treatment of cachexia in lung cancer patients."
Dissecting the mechanisms controlling the onset of lung cancer-associated cachexia
"Since my undergraduate studies, I have always been fascinated by cancer and metabolism. I obtained my PhD at the University of Lausanne where I studied the mechanisms regulating the onset of inflammation in white adipose tissue in the context of obesity. I then moved to the Joslin Diabetes Center where I have joined the Laurie Goodyear's laboratory. Here I investigate the metabolic alterations leading to the development of cachexia in lung cancer. With the support of AIFC, I aim to discover new therapeutical targets that will have a significant impact on the prevention and/or treatment of cachexia in lung cancer patients."
Gabriele Casirati, MD
Increase safety and efficacy of cancer adoptive immunotherapy
"Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults and the second in childhood. While new and effective ways to redirect the immune system to kill leukemia cells have been developed, AML is still extremely difficult to target, due to its similarity to normal bone marrow cells. At Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, we are developing gene-editing strategies to enable the use of novel immunotherapies for high-risk AML patients despite these limitations. Moving towards in vivo validation, we hope that our project will lay the foundation for new therapeutic approaches aimed at patients with relapsed/refractory disease."
Increase safety and efficacy of cancer adoptive immunotherapy
"Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults and the second in childhood. While new and effective ways to redirect the immune system to kill leukemia cells have been developed, AML is still extremely difficult to target, due to its similarity to normal bone marrow cells. At Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, we are developing gene-editing strategies to enable the use of novel immunotherapies for high-risk AML patients despite these limitations. Moving towards in vivo validation, we hope that our project will lay the foundation for new therapeutic approaches aimed at patients with relapsed/refractory disease."
Melody Di Bona, PhD
Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying micronuclear membrane rupture in advanced cancers
"My research journey can be summarized as “bridging disciplines”: my background in biotechnology and the passion for microscopy developed during my PhD in physics fully merge in my current postdoc position in the Chromosomal Instability lab of Dr. Bakhoum at MSKCC, New York. Chromosomally unstable cancers undergo frequent missegregation, resulting in small rupture-prone cytosolic structures called micronuclei. Their rupture triggers a series of events and pathways resulting in distant metastasis and poor prognosis. My focus is on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying micronuclear rupture, providing untapped targets for the treatment of these aggressive cancers."
Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying micronuclear membrane rupture in advanced cancers
"My research journey can be summarized as “bridging disciplines”: my background in biotechnology and the passion for microscopy developed during my PhD in physics fully merge in my current postdoc position in the Chromosomal Instability lab of Dr. Bakhoum at MSKCC, New York. Chromosomally unstable cancers undergo frequent missegregation, resulting in small rupture-prone cytosolic structures called micronuclei. Their rupture triggers a series of events and pathways resulting in distant metastasis and poor prognosis. My focus is on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying micronuclear rupture, providing untapped targets for the treatment of these aggressive cancers."
Maira Di Tano, PhD
Genomic instability and metabolic reprogramming: exploiting vulnerabilities of familial pancreatic cancer
"I conducted my PhD at the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan, where I studied the effect of dietary and pharmacological interventions for aggressive tumors harboring mutations in KRAS oncogene. Now, I have joined the Cantley laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine to pursue my interest in cancer metabolism. Thanks to the support of AICF, I will be devoted to study BRCA2-driven genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest tumor types. I will investigate how genetic and metabolic features may lead to vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted and translated from bench to bedside."
Genomic instability and metabolic reprogramming: exploiting vulnerabilities of familial pancreatic cancer
"I conducted my PhD at the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan, where I studied the effect of dietary and pharmacological interventions for aggressive tumors harboring mutations in KRAS oncogene. Now, I have joined the Cantley laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine to pursue my interest in cancer metabolism. Thanks to the support of AICF, I will be devoted to study BRCA2-driven genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest tumor types. I will investigate how genetic and metabolic features may lead to vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted and translated from bench to bedside."
Emanula Ferraro, MD
Implications in clinical decision making of HER2 status change after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in early HER2-positive breast cancer
"I am an oncologist with a background in breast cancer care and a special interest in clinical research. I am currently enrolled in a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. My project focuses on HER2-positive breast cancer patients who do not achieve pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER2 agents. The objective is to analyze genomic features of the residual disease paired with those of the primary biopsy and metastasis, with the final aim to suggest possible escalating strategies to improve the survival of this high-risk population."
Implications in clinical decision making of HER2 status change after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in early HER2-positive breast cancer
"I am an oncologist with a background in breast cancer care and a special interest in clinical research. I am currently enrolled in a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. My project focuses on HER2-positive breast cancer patients who do not achieve pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER2 agents. The objective is to analyze genomic features of the residual disease paired with those of the primary biopsy and metastasis, with the final aim to suggest possible escalating strategies to improve the survival of this high-risk population."
Michele Gabriele, PhD
Dissecting chromatin looping and FOXG1 activation dynamics in gliomagenesis
"I obtained my PhD in System Medicine at the European Institute of Oncology, during which I studied the impact of chromatin regulators mutations in human diseases. For my postdoc, I moved to the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT. Here, my goal is to understand and measure the kinetics and dynamics of enhancer-promoter interactions in a physiologically relevant system and to understand how alterations of this process are responsible for tumorigenesis. In particular, I will employ Super Resolution Live-Cell Imaging to study FOXG1 expression and understand the role of its enhancer-promoter interactions in gliomagenesis."
Dissecting chromatin looping and FOXG1 activation dynamics in gliomagenesis
"I obtained my PhD in System Medicine at the European Institute of Oncology, during which I studied the impact of chromatin regulators mutations in human diseases. For my postdoc, I moved to the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT. Here, my goal is to understand and measure the kinetics and dynamics of enhancer-promoter interactions in a physiologically relevant system and to understand how alterations of this process are responsible for tumorigenesis. In particular, I will employ Super Resolution Live-Cell Imaging to study FOXG1 expression and understand the role of its enhancer-promoter interactions in gliomagenesis."
Lorenzo Gallicchio, PhD
Regulation of switches in cell state by alternative 3'end cleavage of nascent mRNAs
"As a PhD student at the University of Manchester, I studied the regulation of gene expression by microRNAs during Drosophila embryonic development. I am particularly interested in understanding how undifferentiated cells adopt the correct terminal fate, as mistakes in cellular differentiation often result in serious diseases, including several kinds of cancers and developmental disorders. For my post-doctoral training in the Fuller lab, I aim to understand how differential processing of nascent mRNAs affects cell fate decisions, using the Drosophila testis as a model system. Thanks to the AICF's support, I will use the programming skills I developed during my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and my lab-based experience to gain a genome-wide understanding of how changes in mRNA processing promote cellular differentiation."
Regulation of switches in cell state by alternative 3'end cleavage of nascent mRNAs
"As a PhD student at the University of Manchester, I studied the regulation of gene expression by microRNAs during Drosophila embryonic development. I am particularly interested in understanding how undifferentiated cells adopt the correct terminal fate, as mistakes in cellular differentiation often result in serious diseases, including several kinds of cancers and developmental disorders. For my post-doctoral training in the Fuller lab, I aim to understand how differential processing of nascent mRNAs affects cell fate decisions, using the Drosophila testis as a model system. Thanks to the AICF's support, I will use the programming skills I developed during my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and my lab-based experience to gain a genome-wide understanding of how changes in mRNA processing promote cellular differentiation."
Emanuela Marchese, PhD
Dissecting immunity in tissues with oncogenic germline mutations: an innovative approach for cancer prevention and therapy
"I obtained my PhD in Clinical Medical and Experimental Science in 2021 at University Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. During my research experience, I became increasingly fascinated by the role and the impact that immune system activation has on the early phases of cancer development. With the support of the AICF's Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, in Demehri’s lab I will study the interplay of the mutated epithelial cells and the immune system during the early stages of malignant transformation. The outcomes of this research project will lay the foundation for the generation of immune-based therapeutics to prevent cancer development and recurrence."
Dissecting immunity in tissues with oncogenic germline mutations: an innovative approach for cancer prevention and therapy
"I obtained my PhD in Clinical Medical and Experimental Science in 2021 at University Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. During my research experience, I became increasingly fascinated by the role and the impact that immune system activation has on the early phases of cancer development. With the support of the AICF's Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, in Demehri’s lab I will study the interplay of the mutated epithelial cells and the immune system during the early stages of malignant transformation. The outcomes of this research project will lay the foundation for the generation of immune-based therapeutics to prevent cancer development and recurrence."
Antonio Marzio, PhD
Targeting BRCAness in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
During my doctoral studies, I trained with Prof. Maurizio Gatti at Sapienza University of Rome. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, my research focused on discovering novel genes involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). Fascinated by the role of DDR in cancer development and the possibility to therapeutically exploit DDR defects, I was committed to learning more about novel molecular mechanisms that alter DDR and drive different tumorigenic processes. I decided to join the laboratory of Dr. Michele Pagano, who is a world-renowned expert in protein degradation and cancer, to gain expertise in the biochemical approaches required to elucidate the mechanisms of DDR signaling, including biochemical assays, protein biology and in vivo studies. With the support of the AICF Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, I will study the interplay between defects in the homologous recombination repair and the FDA-approved PARP inhibitors in NSCLC.
Targeting BRCAness in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
During my doctoral studies, I trained with Prof. Maurizio Gatti at Sapienza University of Rome. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, my research focused on discovering novel genes involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). Fascinated by the role of DDR in cancer development and the possibility to therapeutically exploit DDR defects, I was committed to learning more about novel molecular mechanisms that alter DDR and drive different tumorigenic processes. I decided to join the laboratory of Dr. Michele Pagano, who is a world-renowned expert in protein degradation and cancer, to gain expertise in the biochemical approaches required to elucidate the mechanisms of DDR signaling, including biochemical assays, protein biology and in vivo studies. With the support of the AICF Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, I will study the interplay between defects in the homologous recombination repair and the FDA-approved PARP inhibitors in NSCLC.
Stefania Morganti, MD
Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in Early Breast Cancer
"I am a medical oncology fellow at the University of Milan and European Institute of Oncology. My research project will be aimed at investigating the significance of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in patients with early breast cancer. By exploring the prevalence of these alterations at breast cancer diagnosis, and by comparing their occurrence in patients receiving or not adjuvant chemotherapy, the project aims to characterize CHIP in individuals treated for breast cancer. The results of this investigation will provide better prognostic data for the early setting of breast cancer care, by clarifying the intrinsic significance of CHIP."
Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in Early Breast Cancer
"I am a medical oncology fellow at the University of Milan and European Institute of Oncology. My research project will be aimed at investigating the significance of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in patients with early breast cancer. By exploring the prevalence of these alterations at breast cancer diagnosis, and by comparing their occurrence in patients receiving or not adjuvant chemotherapy, the project aims to characterize CHIP in individuals treated for breast cancer. The results of this investigation will provide better prognostic data for the early setting of breast cancer care, by clarifying the intrinsic significance of CHIP."
Maria Moscvin, MD
Targeting Protein Secretion via Botulinum Neurotoxin as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in AL amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma
"Multiple myeloma (MM) and AL amyloidosis (AL) are plasma cell disorders characterized by secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulin. Both MM and AL are incurable disorders with an unmet therapeutic need. Dr. Bianchi’s lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital investigates molecular mechanisms of protein homeostasis in plasma cell disorders. I joined the lab in May 2019, supported by the AICF fellowship. With immense honor, I will be supported by AICF for a second year. The overarching goal of my project is to investigate how Botulinum Neurotoxin, as a novel therapeutic strategy, blocks extracellular release of cargo proteins, induces terminal unfolded protein response, and causes cytotoxicity of MM/AL cells. This project is of interest for the cancer biology field as it will shed light on molecular mechanisms regulating secretory pathways in physiologic plasma cells and the malignant counterpart."
Targeting Protein Secretion via Botulinum Neurotoxin as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in AL amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma
"Multiple myeloma (MM) and AL amyloidosis (AL) are plasma cell disorders characterized by secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulin. Both MM and AL are incurable disorders with an unmet therapeutic need. Dr. Bianchi’s lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital investigates molecular mechanisms of protein homeostasis in plasma cell disorders. I joined the lab in May 2019, supported by the AICF fellowship. With immense honor, I will be supported by AICF for a second year. The overarching goal of my project is to investigate how Botulinum Neurotoxin, as a novel therapeutic strategy, blocks extracellular release of cargo proteins, induces terminal unfolded protein response, and causes cytotoxicity of MM/AL cells. This project is of interest for the cancer biology field as it will shed light on molecular mechanisms regulating secretory pathways in physiologic plasma cells and the malignant counterpart."
Maria Grazia Murrali, PhD
Structure and function of HEXIM1 in the 7SK RNP: a target for fighting HIV-1 latency and cancers
"After obtaining my PhD in Structural Biology at CERM-University of Florence, I joined Prof. Juli Feigon’s group at University of California, Los Angeles. Prof. Feigon’s group exploits NMR spectroscopy in combination with electron microscopy to obtain detailed structures of RNA and ribonucleoprotein complexes. My project focuses on the structural study of the interaction between the HIV-1 elongation factor Tat and the 7SK RNP and its regulation of HIV-1 transcription elongation. These studies will provide structural insights into this mechanism providing new drug strategies to fight HIV latency and new tools for the insurgence of Kaposi’s sarcoma in AIDS patients."
Structure and function of HEXIM1 in the 7SK RNP: a target for fighting HIV-1 latency and cancers
"After obtaining my PhD in Structural Biology at CERM-University of Florence, I joined Prof. Juli Feigon’s group at University of California, Los Angeles. Prof. Feigon’s group exploits NMR spectroscopy in combination with electron microscopy to obtain detailed structures of RNA and ribonucleoprotein complexes. My project focuses on the structural study of the interaction between the HIV-1 elongation factor Tat and the 7SK RNP and its regulation of HIV-1 transcription elongation. These studies will provide structural insights into this mechanism providing new drug strategies to fight HIV latency and new tools for the insurgence of Kaposi’s sarcoma in AIDS patients."
Alessandro Sammarco, DVM, PhD
Therapeutic efficacy of a novel SCD1 inhibitor on breast cancer brain metastases
"I am a veterinarian and got my PhD in Veterinary Sciences at the University of Padua, Italy. My project aims to find new therapeutic strategies to treat breast cancer brain metastases. During year one, in Dr Breakefield’s laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital, I investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a novel drug that targets SCD1, an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism. During year two, in Dr Bensinger’s laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, I will dissect the lipid metabolic machinery of metastatic breast cancer cells and immune cells, as lipid metabolism in the latter contributes to determine their function."
Therapeutic efficacy of a novel SCD1 inhibitor on breast cancer brain metastases
"I am a veterinarian and got my PhD in Veterinary Sciences at the University of Padua, Italy. My project aims to find new therapeutic strategies to treat breast cancer brain metastases. During year one, in Dr Breakefield’s laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital, I investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a novel drug that targets SCD1, an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism. During year two, in Dr Bensinger’s laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, I will dissect the lipid metabolic machinery of metastatic breast cancer cells and immune cells, as lipid metabolism in the latter contributes to determine their function."
Paolo Tarantino, MD
Phase 2 Trial of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Rechallange with Inhaled Corticosteroids in Advanced, HER2-positive Breast Cancer Patients
"The discovery of HER2 has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer in the last two decades. Fascinated by this scientific milestone, during my medical oncology residency in Milan. I’ve decided to commit my research path to the study of this oncogene. With the support of the AICF Fellowship, I’ll start a new research chapter at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, to investigate the optimal implementation of novel anti-HER2 compounds in the clinic. Tailoring treatment intensity with these drugs to each patient’s characteristics will allow to maximize their therapeutic value, relevantly improving patient’s outcomes and quality of life in the future."
Phase 2 Trial of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Rechallange with Inhaled Corticosteroids in Advanced, HER2-positive Breast Cancer Patients
"The discovery of HER2 has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer in the last two decades. Fascinated by this scientific milestone, during my medical oncology residency in Milan. I’ve decided to commit my research path to the study of this oncogene. With the support of the AICF Fellowship, I’ll start a new research chapter at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, to investigate the optimal implementation of novel anti-HER2 compounds in the clinic. Tailoring treatment intensity with these drugs to each patient’s characteristics will allow to maximize their therapeutic value, relevantly improving patient’s outcomes and quality of life in the future."
