Phd in NETWORK ONCOLOGY AND PRECISION MEDICINE

Research: The role of sex hormones in pediatric low-grade glioma biology: MAPK pathway modulation and patient-derived organoid models

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
NAME: Federica D’Antonio
Contact Information: f.dantonio@uniroma1.it/federica.dantonio@opbg.net

POSITION TITLE: Medical Oncology, PhD candidate in training at Sapienza University Rome Oncology fellow at Bambino Gesù Childre’s Hospital Rome


EDUCATION/TRAINING
University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy M.D. 07/2016 Medical School
Humanitas University, Milan, Italy 01/2024 Oncology Residency
Sapeinza University, Rome, Italy Ph.D. On going Network Oncology and Precision Medicine

A. Personal Statement
I am Dr. Federica D’Antonio, a Medical Oncologist at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome, specializing in pediatric neuro-oncology. I earned my Medical and Surgery degree from Campus Biomedico University of Rome in 2016 and completed my residency in Oncology at Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan in 2023. Throughout my residency, I gained significant experience in the clinical management of patients with genitourinary cancers, adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, and rare cancers, including kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers, as well as germ cell tumors, thymic tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, and mesotheliomas.In the past two years, I have developed substantial clinical and research expertise in the Pediatric Oncology-Hematology department under the mentorship of Prof. Franco Locatelli and Dr. Angela Mastronuzzi. As a sub-investigator in international clinical trials, including Selu-PASS and ON-TRK Larotrectinib, I have focused on innovative therapies for pediatric brain tumors.Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in "Network Oncology and Precision Medicine" at Sapienza University of Rome. Recently, our research team made significant progress by identifying microRNA 1248 in tissues from pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) patients, successfully correlating its expression with incomplete resection and disease progression. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive network analysis that integrated clinical data with miRNA expression, leading to the identification of a five-miRNA signature associated with poor outcomes in pediatric LGG patients. These findings are in preparation for publication. Moreover, I am involved in developing 3D tumor organoids derived from LGG patient cells, aiming to replicate primary tumor characteristics and test novel therapies.My long-term goal is to develop personalized therapeutic strategies that improve both survival and quality of life for children with brain tumors.


B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

Positions and Scientific Appointments
2023- Present PhD Network Oncology and Precision Medicine at Sapienza University Rome 2017-/2023 Residency in Medical Oncology at Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan
2021-2022 Internship in Pediatric neuro- oncology at Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome
07/2016- 2/16 Internship in Medical Oncology at UZA Hospital Antwerp University
08/2015-12/15 Erasmus Traineeship in Medical Oncology Hospital Clínico.
2015-2017 Traineeship in Medical Oncology Campus Biomedico University of rome
2012-2013 Traineeship in Neuroscience, Campus Biomedico University of Rome
2010-2016 Medical Student at Campus Biomedico University of Rome

Grant
Post Doc Fellowship Fondazione Veronesi

Memberships

2024 - European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)

2024 ERN 'GENTURIS'

2023 The International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB)

2021 Member of European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP)

2021 Member of Italian Association of Haematology and Oncology (AIEOP)

2017 Member of European School of Medical Oncology (ESO)

2017 Member of European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)

2017 Member of Italian Society of Medical Oncology (AIOM)

2017 Member of Bari Medical Association

Honors:
Magna Cum Laude: Graduated with magna cum laude from Campus Biomedico University of Rome, 2016.

Fellowship Award: Neuro-oncology at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 2023

AIEOP Congress 2023 Presented: "Real-world monocentric experience of a MEMMAT-like metronomic regimen in relapsed/refractory embryonal tumors" (Federica D’Antonio, Angela Mastronuzzi, et al.)

ESMO 2021
Presented: "Intratumoral Switch of Molecular Phenotype and Overall Survival in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer" (Cancers, Basel)

ESMO 2021
Presented: "Clinical Predictors of Cardiac Toxicity in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant Subcutaneous vs. Intravenous Trastuzumab"

ESMO Congress 2023 Presented: "Artificial Intelligence Real-World Applications in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology: The AICCELERATE Project" (Federica D’Antonio, Alberto Tozzi, et al.)

EANO Seminars 2024 Presented: "Medulloblastoma with extra-axial and extra-neural dissemination: An uncommon and prognostically unfavorable entity"

C. Contributions to Science
Pharmacological Testing in 3D Cultures of Pediatric Brain Tumors
I and my research group have conducted the development of 3D culture systems using primary cells derived from pediatric low-grade glioma patients. This has allowed for the testing of targeted therapies in a more biologically relevant in vitro model, enabling a better understanding of drug efficacy and tumor biology.
Significance: These models bridge the gap between traditional 2D culture systems and in vivo studies, offering more predictive results for pharmacological testing.
Advancing Telemedicine in Pediatric Oncology
In collaboration with my colleagues, I have contributed to the establishment and optimization of a teleconsultation platform, which facilitates follow-up visits for pediatric brain tumor patients. This innovation has proven particularly beneficial in maintaining continuous care, reducing the burden on patients and families, and ensuring regular monitoring despite geographical or logistical challenges.
Significance: This platform enhances patient care, making it more accessible

Molecular Profiling and Network Analysis in pLGG
Our research team made significant progress by identifying microRNA 1248 in pLGG patient tissues, successfully correlating its expression with incomplete resection and disease progression. Furthermore, we performed a comprehensive network analysis that integrated clinical data with miRNA expression, identifying a signature of 5 miRNAs associated with poor outcomes in pediatric LGG patients.
Significance: This project aims to identify novel biomarkers for disease progression, which could lead to more accurate prognostic tools and personalized therapeutic approaches in pediatric gliomas.

Metronomic Chemotherapy in Pediatric Medulloblastoma
I have also been involved in the investigation of metronomic chemotherapy regimens, particularly focusing on their impact on quality of life and survival in pediatric medulloblastoma. I am analyzing the correlation between molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma and treatment outcomes, with a focus on optimizing therapeutic strategies that balance efficacy and quality of life, including the modified MEMMAT regimen. Significance: My work has the potential to contribute to the development of more effective and less toxic chemotherapy regimens, tailored to specific molecular subgroups, improving both survival and quality of life for pediatric patients