Experimental oncology
Tumor biology and vascular targeting
Long-term commitment of Tumor biology and vascular targeting Unit is to understand the role of inflammatory cytokines and chromogranin A in cancer biology, and to develop new strategies for cancer therapy based on the manipulation of the tumor vasculature with targeted cytokines and anti-angiogenic agents, in order to improve the penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs and the infiltration of cells of the immune system in tumor tissues.
Research activity
The current research activity of Angelo Corti and his group is focused on studies regarding the use of targeted TNF for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). The treatment of these diseases is difficult, mostly because of the limited penetration of the drugs through the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) and of their poor distribution in the heterogeneous tumor tissues. Considering the observed capability of NGR-TNF to alter the BBTB in PCNSL patients, this group is currently testing whether SNGR-TNF, a more stable derivative of NGR-TNF, can target the BBTB in clinically relevant animal models of GBM and PCNSL, and improve the penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs and of cells of the immune system in these tumors.
Another relevant project regards the use of a chromogranin A-derived peptide, previously discovered by by Angelo Corti and his group, capable of recognizing alphav/beta6 and alphavbeta8, two integrins overexpressed by various solid tumors. This peptide can bind with high affinity and specificity the active site of these integrins, thereby blocking their capability to induce TGFbeta maturation (an important immunosuppressive mechanism in tumors). Because of these properties this peptide is currently investigated as an anticancer agent and as a ligand for delivering drugs, nanoparticles, radioactive and fluorescent imaging agents to tumors.
