Immunology and biology of metastasis

Research fields

1.  Cellular and molecular tumor biology
2. Mechanisms of metastatic spread
3. Cancer immunology

Research project

The systemic spread of cancer cells is the greatest challenge in cancer treatment. The group's research is aimed at understanding the mechanisms of metastatic spread of cancer cells, in particular breast cancer and musculoskeletal sarcomas, and at defining systemic strategies based on pharmacological and immunological agents against specific molecular targets.

Ongoing research aims

1. Vaccines for cancer prevention and therapy
2. Models of growth and metastasis of human tumors in immunodeficient mice
3. Carcinogenesis, metastasis, and susceptibility / resistance to therapies (for breast cancer, lung cancer, sarcomas) in transgenic mice
4. Mechanisms and consequences of HER-2 loss of expression in breast cancer
5. Preclinical studies of innovative therapies against sarcomas
6. Gene mutations in lung cancer
7. Response to immunotherapy in lung cancer

Collaboration:

Dott.ssa Lorena Landuzzi, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute

Dott. Giordano Nicoletti, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute

Maria Sofia Semprini Postgraduate fellowship

Various collaborations within the Department and the University of Bologna, Furthermore:
Prof. Adam Sander, University of Copenhagen, Denmark;
Expres2ion Biotechnologies, Horhsolm, Denmark;
Dr. Serenella Pupa and Elda Tagliabue, National Cancer Institute, Milan;
Prof. Federica Cavallo, University of Turin;
Dr. Paola Ulivi, IRST Meldola.