AICF's 2020-21 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 University of Torino when, for the last months of the PhD, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Roberto Chiarle at Boston Children’s Hospital. In the Chiarle’s lab, 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 University of Torino when, for the last months of the PhD, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Roberto Chiarle at Boston Children’s Hospital. In the Chiarle’s lab, 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."
Luca Cappelli, MD
Enhanced NK-cell adoptive transfer: a bridge to complete remission in hematologic malignancies
"I am an MD with a background on chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. I am currently spending a research period at Weill Cornell Medicine as part of my PhD focusing on the development of patient-derived tumor xenograft models of hematopoietic cancer. My AICF project proposes a strategy to engineer NK cells to enhance their survival, proliferation and killing abilities. This could provide an alternative to CAR-T cells in a number of clinical settings, including induction and consolidation/minimal residual disease eradication."
Enhanced NK-cell adoptive transfer: a bridge to complete remission in hematologic malignancies
"I am an MD with a background on chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. I am currently spending a research period at Weill Cornell Medicine as part of my PhD focusing on the development of patient-derived tumor xenograft models of hematopoietic cancer. My AICF project proposes a strategy to engineer NK cells to enhance their survival, proliferation and killing abilities. This could provide an alternative to CAR-T cells in a number of clinical settings, including induction and consolidation/minimal residual disease eradication."
Gabriele Casirati, MD
Increase safety and efficacy of cancer adoptive immunotherapy
"Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a life-threatening malignancy still in dire need of effective treatment options. During my hematology residency in Milan, I exploited cutting-edge single cell assays to unravel healthy bone marrow and acute myeloid leukemia stem cell heterogeneity. Now, as a post-doc in Dr. Genovese lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I aim to develop a novel gene-editing approach to enable adoptive anti-leukemia immunotherapies while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. If successful, this strategy will allow the targeted treatment of high-risk or relapsed AML patients and, at the same time, avoid life-threatening toxicities."
Increase safety and efficacy of cancer adoptive immunotherapy
"Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a life-threatening malignancy still in dire need of effective treatment options. During my hematology residency in Milan, I exploited cutting-edge single cell assays to unravel healthy bone marrow and acute myeloid leukemia stem cell heterogeneity. Now, as a post-doc in Dr. Genovese lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I aim to develop a novel gene-editing approach to enable adoptive anti-leukemia immunotherapies while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. If successful, this strategy will allow the targeted treatment of high-risk or relapsed AML patients and, at the same time, avoid life-threatening toxicities."
Marta Collu, PhD
Targeting BRCAness in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
"I conducted my doctoral studies between Italy and Switzerland, and I obtained my PhD in Drug Sciences in 2019 from the University of Cagliari. During this research experience, I become increasingly passionate about investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular transitions from healthy to pathological states, and how these can be exploited therapeutically. To pursue my research interests, I joined the Pagano Laboratory at the New York University School of Medicine and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. With the support of the AICF Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, I will study the interplay between defects in the homologous recombination repair and the use of FDA-approved PARP inhibitors in NSCLC."
Targeting BRCAness in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
"I conducted my doctoral studies between Italy and Switzerland, and I obtained my PhD in Drug Sciences in 2019 from the University of Cagliari. During this research experience, I become increasingly passionate about investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular transitions from healthy to pathological states, and how these can be exploited therapeutically. To pursue my research interests, I joined the Pagano Laboratory at the New York University School of Medicine and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. With the support of the AICF Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, I will study the interplay between defects in the homologous recombination repair and the use of FDA-approved PARP inhibitors in NSCLC."
Paolo D'Amico, MD
Use of liquid biopsy methods to predict endocrine sensitivity in HR+ metastatic breast cancer
"I am a medical oncology resident with a strong interest in translational research and molecular medicine. My clinical training was spent evaluating the safety of patients receiving early-phase drugs and the management of related toxicities.
In order to increase the number of patients eligible to target-therapy, I’m currently focusing my efforts on the identification of new predictive biomarkers in the blood of metastatic breast cancer patients. The project aim is to identify a new cohort of patients that can benefit from these promising drugs, improving survival and patients’ quality of life."
Use of liquid biopsy methods to predict endocrine sensitivity in HR+ metastatic breast cancer
"I am a medical oncology resident with a strong interest in translational research and molecular medicine. My clinical training was spent evaluating the safety of patients receiving early-phase drugs and the management of related toxicities.
In order to increase the number of patients eligible to target-therapy, I’m currently focusing my efforts on the identification of new predictive biomarkers in the blood of metastatic breast cancer patients. The project aim is to identify a new cohort of patients that can benefit from these promising drugs, improving survival and patients’ quality of life."
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 a Medical Oncology resident at University of Milan and last October, I joined the Breast Medicine Service of MSKCC in New York for a research program. The main goal of my project is to improve the knowledge on the molecular features of the residual disease in breast cancer patients who failed to achieve a pathological complete response after preoperative treatment with HER2-targeted agents. Specifically, we will investigate on HER2 status change on residual disease and its prognostic implications in this group of patients considered high risk for distant recurrence."
Implications in clinical decision making of HER2 status change after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in early HER2-positive breast cancer
"I am a Medical Oncology resident at University of Milan and last October, I joined the Breast Medicine Service of MSKCC in New York for a research program. The main goal of my project is to improve the knowledge on the molecular features of the residual disease in breast cancer patients who failed to achieve a pathological complete response after preoperative treatment with HER2-targeted agents. Specifically, we will investigate on HER2 status change on residual disease and its prognostic implications in this group of patients considered high risk for distant recurrence."
Rosa Fontana, PhD
Invadopodia regulation in breast cancer invasion and metastasis
"After obtaining my PhD in Biology at University of Naples Federico II in 2018, I joined Dr. Yang’s research group at UCSD to study the rule of invadopodia, actin-based structures promoting the ECM degradation, during tumor invasion and metastasis. Thanks to the first year of AICF funding, I identified novel specific protein targets at the invadopodia in breast carcinoma cells using proteomics approach. During this second year, I will dissect the role and the molecular mechanisms by which these candidate proteins regulate invadopodia formation and function. These results will provide novel therapeutic strategies to selectively inhibit invadopodia-mediated matrix degradation and metastasis in breast cancer."
Invadopodia regulation in breast cancer invasion and metastasis
"After obtaining my PhD in Biology at University of Naples Federico II in 2018, I joined Dr. Yang’s research group at UCSD to study the rule of invadopodia, actin-based structures promoting the ECM degradation, during tumor invasion and metastasis. Thanks to the first year of AICF funding, I identified novel specific protein targets at the invadopodia in breast carcinoma cells using proteomics approach. During this second year, I will dissect the role and the molecular mechanisms by which these candidate proteins regulate invadopodia formation and function. These results will provide novel therapeutic strategies to selectively inhibit invadopodia-mediated matrix degradation and metastasis in breast cancer."
Elena Grossi, PhD
Profiling SWI/SNF complex mutations in melanoma initiation
"I obtained my PhD in Spain, as part of a European network focused on noncoding RNA biology. In January 2020, I joined the laboratory of Emily Bernstein at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City to study chromatin dynamics in melanoma. My postdoctoral project is focused on SWI/SNF complexes, multimeric chromatin remodelers that are highly mutated in cancer. The AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship will allow me to model cancer-relevant SWI/SNF mutations and explore the epigenetic mechanisms by which mutant SWI/SNF components promote melanoma initiation."
Profiling SWI/SNF complex mutations in melanoma initiation
"I obtained my PhD in Spain, as part of a European network focused on noncoding RNA biology. In January 2020, I joined the laboratory of Emily Bernstein at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City to study chromatin dynamics in melanoma. My postdoctoral project is focused on SWI/SNF complexes, multimeric chromatin remodelers that are highly mutated in cancer. The AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship will allow me to model cancer-relevant SWI/SNF mutations and explore the epigenetic mechanisms by which mutant SWI/SNF components promote melanoma initiation."
Carmelo Gurnari, MD
Somatic Mutations in HLA as an Escape Mechanism from Allogeneic Graft vs. Leukemia Effect in Relapsed Myeloid Neoplasia Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
"During my journey as a pediatric patient in the Hemo-oncology Department, I learned firsthand that much can be done to improve lives of patients fighting cancer. This experience shaped me into the hematologist I am today with research focusing on somatic mutations in HLA as an escape mechanism from allogeneic Graft vs. Leukemia effect in relapsed myeloid neoplasia following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Thanks to the support of AICF, by highlighting some unclear points of immune-related mechanisms of post-transplant recurrence of myeloid cancers, my project may eventually identify the basis of new therapeutic targets for the immunological control of these diseases.
Somatic Mutations in HLA as an Escape Mechanism from Allogeneic Graft vs. Leukemia Effect in Relapsed Myeloid Neoplasia Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
"During my journey as a pediatric patient in the Hemo-oncology Department, I learned firsthand that much can be done to improve lives of patients fighting cancer. This experience shaped me into the hematologist I am today with research focusing on somatic mutations in HLA as an escape mechanism from allogeneic Graft vs. Leukemia effect in relapsed myeloid neoplasia following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Thanks to the support of AICF, by highlighting some unclear points of immune-related mechanisms of post-transplant recurrence of myeloid cancers, my project may eventually identify the basis of new therapeutic targets for the immunological control of these diseases.
Alice Meroni, PhD
Unravel the mechanism of Topoisomerase I inhibitor resistance
"My project is focused on the resistance pathways activated by cancer cells in response to camptothecin. Camptothecin inhibits selectively Topoisomerase I, a key enzyme that regulates DNA topology, and is the prototype of a class of compounds widely used for cancer treatment. Thanks to the AICF support, I identified an uncharacterized pathway implicated in camptothecin resistance. In year 2, I will study the key factors involved in this pathway and define the molecular steps that lead to resistance. My data will provide a new rationale to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells treated with multiple cycles of Topoisomerase I-inhibitors."
Unravel the mechanism of Topoisomerase I inhibitor resistance
"My project is focused on the resistance pathways activated by cancer cells in response to camptothecin. Camptothecin inhibits selectively Topoisomerase I, a key enzyme that regulates DNA topology, and is the prototype of a class of compounds widely used for cancer treatment. Thanks to the AICF support, I identified an uncharacterized pathway implicated in camptothecin resistance. In year 2, I will study the key factors involved in this pathway and define the molecular steps that lead to resistance. My data will provide a new rationale to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells treated with multiple cycles of Topoisomerase I-inhibitors."
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. I joined Dr. Bianchi’s lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital committed to understand MM and AL biology and investigate mechanisms of protein homeostasis. The aim of this project is to evaluate the use of botulinum neurotoxin as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit paraprotein and light chain secretion in preclinical models of AL and MM. With the considerable support of AICF fellowship, I will also have the opportunity to dissect molecular mechanisms regulating secretory pathways in malignant plasma cells."
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. I joined Dr. Bianchi’s lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital committed to understand MM and AL biology and investigate mechanisms of protein homeostasis. The aim of this project is to evaluate the use of botulinum neurotoxin as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit paraprotein and light chain secretion in preclinical models of AL and MM. With the considerable support of AICF fellowship, I will also have the opportunity to dissect molecular mechanisms regulating secretory pathways in malignant plasma cells."
Sara Piccinelli, MD, PhD
Characterizing Regulatory T Cells in the Leukemic Microenvironment
"Since I was a medical student I have been interested in haematology, immunology and bone marrow transplantation. Now, as an hematologist and a scientist, my research interests involve the study of the immune system in leukemia. My academic training and research experience have provided me with an excellent background to face this challenge. As a Postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Scadden Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, I am continuing my work on the role of immune microenvironment in leukemogenesis. Specifically, my project can help to characterize regulatory T cells in the leukemic microenvironment, providing mechanistic insights and translational tools to improve treatment for patients with leukemia."
Characterizing Regulatory T Cells in the Leukemic Microenvironment
"Since I was a medical student I have been interested in haematology, immunology and bone marrow transplantation. Now, as an hematologist and a scientist, my research interests involve the study of the immune system in leukemia. My academic training and research experience have provided me with an excellent background to face this challenge. As a Postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Scadden Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, I am continuing my work on the role of immune microenvironment in leukemogenesis. Specifically, my project can help to characterize regulatory T cells in the leukemic microenvironment, providing mechanistic insights and translational tools to improve treatment for patients with leukemia."
Maria Caterina Rotiroti, PhD
Engineering CAR T cells to enhance their antitumor activity and define signaling networks
"I am a translational researcher focused on immunology and the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for incurable cancers. The objective of this proposal is to generate CAR T cells which are protected from exhaustion, resulting in enhanced efficacy against solid tumors. This work will also interrogate key-aspects of CAR signaling that govern CAR T cell functionality, leading to further advances that can be leveraged in the clinic for the benefit of cancer patients."
Engineering CAR T cells to enhance their antitumor activity and define signaling networks
"I am a translational researcher focused on immunology and the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for incurable cancers. The objective of this proposal is to generate CAR T cells which are protected from exhaustion, resulting in enhanced efficacy against solid tumors. This work will also interrogate key-aspects of CAR signaling that govern CAR T cell functionality, leading to further advances that can be leveraged in the clinic for the benefit of cancer patients."
Pasquale Saggese, PhD
Combination Metabolic-Epigenetic Treatment for Lung Adenocarcinoma.
"The AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship will allow me to work at the David Geffen School of Medicine of University of California, Los Angeles, in Dr. Claudio Scafoglio’s laboratory. My research focused on the study of the relationship between cellular metabolism and gene regulation in order to introduce a new potent combination treatment to block the cancer progression from early-stage to more advanced disease. In particular, I am going to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tumor de-differentiation, induced by SGLT2 inhibition in lung adenocarcinoma, performing pre-clinical tests of combination treatments aimed at preventing the de-differentiation and the development of resistance."
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Combination Metabolic-Epigenetic Treatment for Lung Adenocarcinoma.
"The AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship will allow me to work at the David Geffen School of Medicine of University of California, Los Angeles, in Dr. Claudio Scafoglio’s laboratory. My research focused on the study of the relationship between cellular metabolism and gene regulation in order to introduce a new potent combination treatment to block the cancer progression from early-stage to more advanced disease. In particular, I am going to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tumor de-differentiation, induced by SGLT2 inhibition in lung adenocarcinoma, performing pre-clinical tests of combination treatments aimed at preventing the de-differentiation and the development of resistance."
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Alessandro Sammarco, DVM, PhD
Therapeutic efficacy of a novel SCD1 inhibitor on breast cancer brain metastases
I graduated in veterinary medicine and during my PhD I have been working for one year at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). I will be joining MGH again to work on a project on breast cancer metastases. A novel therapeutic compound targeting SCD1, an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, will be used on a clinically relevant in vivo mouse model of breast cancer brain metastases to treat primary tumors and metastatic disease. Additionally, we will investigate whether the alteration of SCD1 activity in cancer cells impacts the release or content of extracellular vesicles, which are important mediators of intercellular communication.
Therapeutic efficacy of a novel SCD1 inhibitor on breast cancer brain metastases
I graduated in veterinary medicine and during my PhD I have been working for one year at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). I will be joining MGH again to work on a project on breast cancer metastases. A novel therapeutic compound targeting SCD1, an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, will be used on a clinically relevant in vivo mouse model of breast cancer brain metastases to treat primary tumors and metastatic disease. Additionally, we will investigate whether the alteration of SCD1 activity in cancer cells impacts the release or content of extracellular vesicles, which are important mediators of intercellular communication.
Giulia Zago, PhD
Regulation of tumor-associated phagocyte physiology during tumor cell clearance
“Macrophages are immune cells with the ability to “eat” invasive cells such as bacteria or cancer cells and stimulate a subsequent immune response against this threat. This clearance process is crucial to maintaining the health of our tissues, but in the case of cancer, this mechanism is being exploited to contain the immunologic response. Working in Dr. Perry lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, and supported by AICF, I am trying to elucidate the mechanistic behind engulfment of cells by macrophages and its relationship with tumor development. Our final goal is to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for cancer patients."
Regulation of tumor-associated phagocyte physiology during tumor cell clearance
“Macrophages are immune cells with the ability to “eat” invasive cells such as bacteria or cancer cells and stimulate a subsequent immune response against this threat. This clearance process is crucial to maintaining the health of our tissues, but in the case of cancer, this mechanism is being exploited to contain the immunologic response. Working in Dr. Perry lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, and supported by AICF, I am trying to elucidate the mechanistic behind engulfment of cells by macrophages and its relationship with tumor development. Our final goal is to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for cancer patients."
