Research: Semaphorin 5A as predictive/prognostic factor and promising druggable target in melanoma
Title of the research project: Semaphorin 5A as predictive/prognostic factor and promising druggable target in melanoma
Thematic area: Molecular Biology
SSD: Med/46
Brief resume:
Education
• Ph.D. in Life Sciences (In Progress)
"Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
Supervisor: Dr. Simona D'Aguanno
Advisor: Prof. Silvia Piconese
• Master's Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology
"Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
Thesis Title: "Antitumor effect of Bcl-2 family inhibitors in combination with molecularly targeted therapy in preclinical models of melanoma"
Supervisor: Prof. Fulvio Cruciani
Tutor: Dr. Donatella Del Bufalo (Regina Elena National Cancer Institute [IRE], Rome, Italy)
Score: 110/110 cum laude
• Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences
"Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy
Thesis Title: "Mechanisms involved in the adaptation of Zika virus to the vector"
Supervisor: Prof. Milena Grossi
Score: 110/110 cum laude.
Professional Experience
• Researcher (Fixed-term contract) - Present
Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRE, Rome, Italy
• FIRC Italy Pre-Doc (AIRC fellowship) - Present
Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRE, Rome, Italy
Title: "Semaphorin 5A as predictive/prognostic factor and promising druggable target in melanoma" PI: Dr. Matteo Brignone; Tutor: Dr. Donatella Del Bufalo
• Fellowship - July 2022 - September 2023
Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRE, Rome, Italy
Project: "Investigating the predictive and prognostic role of circulating Semaphorins in melanoma patients treated with target therapy or immunotherapy, and evaluation of Semaphorin 5A as druggable target for melanoma therapy."
Tutor: Dr. Simona D'Aguanno
• Fellowship - January 2022 - June 2022
Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRE, Rome, Italy
Project: "Shaping melanoma microenvironment by Bcl-2: from novel mediators of tumor/stroma crosstalk to new therapeutic approaches."
Tutor: Dr. Donatella Del Bufalo
• Internship for Master’s Thesis - October 2020 – October 2021
Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRE, Rome, Italy
Tutor: Dr. Donatella Del Bufalo
Brief description of your project:
The project focuses on investigating the pivotal role of Semaphorins (SEMAs) in melanoma progression, particularly their association with BRAF mutations and therapeutic response. Melanoma's therapeutic landscape has seen advancements, yet resistance development remains a challenge, leading to disease progression. RNA-seq data from TCGA and subsequent in vitro studies, revealed the upregulation of specific SEMAs in metastatic melanoma and identifies differential expression patterns of SEMAs in BRAF mutant versus wild-type patients. Specifically, SEMA5A's contribution to melanoma cell migration, survival, and its regulation by Bcl-2 has been established. In ongoing investigations, the project aims to elucidate SEMA's mechanistic involvement, focusing on SEMA5A, in melanoma progression via in vitro and in vivo models. Additionally, the study seeks to assess circulating SEMA levels as potential diagnostic/prognostic markers in melanoma patients. The project endeavors to uncover novel therapeutic avenues and predictive markers for enhanced melanoma management.
Formal participation to funded research projects:
• AIRC fellowship Italy Pre-Doc 2023-2025, Title: " Semaphorin 5A as predictive/prognostic factor and promising druggable target in melanoma”, PI: Dr. Matteo Brignone, Granted amount: 2023-2025 € 75.000,00
• AIRC IG 2020 (2021-2025), Title: "Shaping melanoma microenvironment by bcl-2: from novel mediators of tumor/stroma crosstalk to new therapeutic approaches", PI: Dr.Donatella Del Bufalo, Granted amount: 2021 € 151.000,00, 2022 € 160.000,00, 2023 €176.000,00, 2024 € 173.000,00, 2025 € 170.000,00
• Bando Interno Ricerca Corrente (IRE), Title: "Investigating the predictive and prognostic role of circulating semaphorins in melanoma patients treated with therapy or immunotherapy and evaluation of semaphorin 5a as druggable target for melanoma therapy", PI: Dr. Simona D’Aguanno, Granted amount:2021 € 50.000,00, 2022 € 50.000,00,2023 € 37.500,00
Seminars, meetings, courses:
• Microscopy Techniques for the Life Sciences, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, 01/30-31/2023
• Introduction to Immunology, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, February-May 2023
• Preparing artworks for scientific papers, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, 05/4-11/ 2023
• Biotecnologie e Sicurezza in Laboratorio, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, 05/16-18-23/2023
• 5th Workshop IRE on Translational Oncology: “The New World of RNA diagnostics and therapeutics” Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 03/27-28/ 2023
• Internship and final exam for qualification to work with animal models, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, September-December 2022
• Interactive training course "Precision Oncology: genetic testing, immunotherapy and target drugs" Pointercare srl, Rome, July 2023
• Training course for the Protection of Laboratory Animals in Scientific Research, "Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore", Centro Ricerche Sperimentali (CENRIS), Rome, June 2022
Posters
• Matteo Brignone, Piera Rizzolo, Fabio Valente, Marta Di Martile, Elisabetta Valentini, Martina Chiacchiarini, Marica Di Caprio, Patrizio Giacomini, Carlo Cota, Francesca Paolini, Chiara Mandoj, Tommaso Mancuso, Michelangelo Russillo, Andrea Sacconi, Isabella Manni, Donatella Del Bufalo, Simona D’Aguanno. “Investigating the predictive and prognostic role of Semaphorin 5A in melanoma patients and its role in response to therapy”. ACC Annual Congress, Rome 2022.
• Matteo Brignone, Piera Rizzolo, Fabio Valenti, Marta Di Martile, Elisabetta Valentini, Martina Chiacchiarini, Marica Di Caprio, Patrizio Giacomini, Carlo Cota, Francesca Paolini, Chiara Mandoj, Tommaso Mancuso, Michelangelo Russillo, Andrea Sacconi, Isabella Manni, Donatella Del Bufalo, Simona D’Aguanno. “Semaphorins as predictive/prognostic factors and promising druggable target in melanoma”. XXVIII° IMI Nationa Congress, Florence 2022.
• Elisabetta Valentini, Marta Di Martile, Matteo Brignone, Isabella Manni, Michela Chiappa, Ilaria Sergio, Simona D’Aguanno, Martina Chiacchiarini, Fabiana Conciatori, Chiara Bazzichetto, Marica Di Caprio, Michelangelo Russillo, Rino Ragno, Maria Pia Felli, Giovanna Damia,Donatella Del Bufalo. “Rationally derived drug combinations with inhibitors of Bcl-2 family proteins and target therapy in cancer models”. ACC Annual Congress, Rome 2022.
• Martina Chiacchiarini, Simona D’Aguanno, Marta Di Martile, Elisabetta Valentini, Matteo Brignone, Marica Di Caprio, Cristiana Ercolani, Simonetta Buglioni, Fabio Pelle, Claudio Botti, Donatella Del Bufalo. “Investigating the role of melanoma specific Bcl-2 in fibroblast activation”. SIC Annual Congress Venice 2022.
• Marta Di Martile, Elisabetta Valentini, Matteo Brignone, Isabella Manni, Michela Chiappa, Ilaria Sergio, Simona D’Aguanno, Martina Chiacchiarini, Fabiana Conciatori, Chiara Bazzichetto, Marica Di Caprio, Michelangelo Russillo, Rino Ragno, Maria Pia Felli, Giovanna Damia, Donatella Del Bufalo.“Targeting the apoptotic machinery to improve cancer therapy”. SIC Annual Congress Venice 2022.
Selected Oral Comunications
• Matteo Brignone, Piera Rizzolo, Fabio Valenti, Francesca Paolini, Andrea Sacconi, Isabella Manni, Donatella Del Bufalo, Carlo Cota, Luca Tamagnone, Simona D’Aguanno "Deeper characterization of the role of SEMA5A in Melanoma Progression”. 35th AICC International Meeting, L’Aquila December 2023.