Team
Emilia Mazza: CD4+ T cells resistance to immunotherapy
The AIRC MFAG grant won by Emilia Mazza focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy, with particular emphasis on the role of regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Interactome analysis has shown that Tregs from non-responders establish interactions with specific cell subsets, fostering an immunosuppressive environment.
The study of signaling networks has identified transcription factors and molecular pathways that regulate immune responses, with a focus on upstream regulators contributing to therapy resistance. Through single-cell sequencing data, a hyperactivated subset of regulatory cells has been identified across multiple tumor types, exhibiting strong immunosuppressive capacity. Gene signature analysis has led to the identification of potential therapeutic targets to counteract immune resistance.
Preliminary findings highlight the role of cellular metabolism in supporting the immunosuppressive activity of regulatory cells in non-responders. The inhibition of these pathways, combined with existing treatments, could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
Selected publications
Single-cell profiling defines the prognostic benefit of CD39(high) tissue resident memory CD8+ T cells in luminal-like breast cancer.
Two subsets of stem-like CD8(+) memory T cell progenitors with distinct fate commitments in humans.
CXCR3 Identifies Human Naive CD8(+) T Cells with Enhanced Effector Differentiation Potential.
Development, application and computational analysis of high-dimensional fluorescent antibody panels for single-cell flow cytometry.
High-dimensional single cell analysis identifies stem-like cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells infiltrating human tumors.
Background fluorescence and spreading error are major contributors of variability in high-dimensional flow cytometry data visualization by t-distributed stochastic neighboring embedding.
Team members
