Translational oncology

We believe that cancer can be understood and managed only by a multi-layered approach where methods proper of multiple disciplines are integrated. These include laboratory techniques, high throughput sequencing, clinical trial design, social sciences and a heavy reliance on computational analyses.
We are creating a group of enthusiastic people with variegated backgrounds to foster cross-fertilization from different branches of knowledge, to provide comprehensive answers to clinically relevant questions. We also participate in several collaborations within IEO and national and international groups.

Areas of specific interest:

• Metabolism and cancer. We study molecular mechanisms mediating the effect of diet on cancer, with a special focus on acute myeloid leukemia and FLT3 mutations. We explore the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the maintenance of leukemia stem cells.
• Chromatin modifiers as therapeutic targets in cancer and immunity. We study the role of histone modifications in hematopoietic and immune cells, and how they can be pharmacologically targeted for modulating the immune response.
• Sequencing-based biomarkers. We perform translational studies in clinical trials to identify biomarkers for response prediction, diagnosis and genetic risk.
• Bioinformatic tools for clinical genomics. We develop tools for the management of sequencing data for clinical trial design and diagnosis.
• Social studies applied to biomedicine, in particular on privacy and health economics.