Divisions
Experimental Oncology
Oncology bears a particular potential for translating research findings from the laboratory into clinical applications. Innovative strategies are urgently needed in the areas of diagnosis, patient risk stratification and treatment. The focus of the Division is to develop translational research programmes and clinical research. The tenet of the Division’s plans is that any significant progress toward the cure of cancer can only be based on an improved understanding of its pathogenesis, which, in turn, will lead to the development of improved diagnostics and more rationale therapeutic interventions.
Organization
The division is organized into several basic and translational research units with a total number of over 80 scientists, including clinician-scientists. It comprises the Urological Research Institute (URI).
Extensive collaborations and joint activities will accelerate the implementation of translational research through access to a large number of patients and samples and combined resource platforms.
Research
Three major areas of investigation have been identified:
- Cancer Genetics;
- Cancer Microenvironment;
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy.
Clinical collaborations
The division is joining efforts with the Clinical Departments of Onco-hematology and Oncology to create a virtual cancer center with a network organization, multidisciplinary teams and defined programs for different tumors and takes advantage of the collaborative use of resources, platforms and infrastructures with other Research Divisions and facilities.
The Division of Experimental Oncology daily collaborates with the following research groups, affiliated with the clinical departments of the hospital:
B-Cell Neoplasia
Paolo Ghia, Group leader
Cell signaling
Marta Muzio, Group leader
Functional genomics of cancer
Giovanni Tonon, Group leader
Lymphoid organ development
Andrea Brendolan, Group leader
Malignant B cells Biology and 3D modelling
Cristina Scielzo, Group leader
Immuno-biotherapy of melanoma and solid tumors
Vincenzo Russo, Group leader
Preclinical models of cancer
Rosa Bernardi, Group leader
Tumor biology and vascular targeting
Angelo Corti, Group leader
Rosa Bernardi
Group leader, Preclinical models of cancer Unit
Andrea Brendolan
Group leader, Lymphoid organ development and function Unit
Angelo Corti
Group leader, Tumor biology and vascular targeting Unit
Elisabetta Ferrero
Research associate, Tumor microenvironment
Paolo Ghia
Group leader, B-cell neoplasia Unit and Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Unit
Marta Muzio
Group leader, Cell signaling Unit
Cristina Scielzo
Group leader, Malignant B cells Biology and 3D modelling Unit
Vincenzo Russo
Group leader, Immuno-biotherapy of melanoma and solid tumors Unit
Giovanni Tonon
Group leader, Functional genomics of cancer Unit
3D models to study Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Researchers seek to understand how cancer cells interact with the microenvironment
Engineered TNF in primary CNS lymphoma: the results of a pilot clinical trial
The pilot clinical study demonstrates the safety and the first signs of efficacy of an engineered antitumor drug in the treatment of primary CNS lymphomas
Testicular microbiome: a step forward in the understanding of azoospermia
A group of researchers of the Urological Research Institute found the first evidence proving that the testicular microenvironment is not microbiologically sterile, contrary to what scientists previously thought.
Research fellow at the Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, headed by Angelo Corti
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Tumor Microenvironment at the Lymphoid Organ Development Unit, led by Dr. Andrea Brendolan
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Immuno-biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors Unit, led by Dr. Vincenzo Russo at the Division of Experimental Oncology.
Postdoc position open at Laboratory of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, headed by Cristina Scielzo