Massimiliano Mazzone obtained his Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology with highest honors from the University of Torino in 2002, followed by a PhD in Cell Science and Technology from the same university in 2007. He pursued postdoctoral training at the Vesalius Research Center, VIB–KU Leuven, Belgium, focusing on oxygen sensors in cancer and ischemia.
He currently serves as Full Professor at KU Leuven and Humanitas University, Milano, and leads the Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis at VIB Leuven (Belgium), and Macrophage Dynamics at IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (Milan, Italy).
Initially, his research centered on vascular biology, leading to the discovery of a novel endothelial cell phenotype in hypoxic tissues. Over time, his work expanded to the study of inflammatory and immune cell responses under hypoxia or cytokine surges, aiming to restore blood flow in cancer and ischemic conditions. His team has revealed how cancer cells adapt to nutrient deprivation by reshaping their metabolic and oxygen-sensing pathways and pioneered the understanding of how the localization and metabolism of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) drive their pro-tumoral, angiogenic, and immunosuppressive functions. Recent investigations have focused on the interplay between T cells and macrophages, showing how T cell activation reshapes TAM metabolism and how T cell metabolic fitness influences their antitumor efficacy.
Beyond cancer, Mazzone’s research extends to inflammation, infection, and tissue regeneration, highlighting immune responses as key to restoring tissue homeostasis. His translational contributions include the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools, two spin-off companies, multiple industrial collaborations, and licensed technologies. With over 180 publications, numerous awards, and leadership roles in academic and industry partnerships, Mazzone has advanced the understanding of vessel remodeling, macrophage heterogeneity, immune suppression, and immunotherapy resistance, positioning his work at the forefront of cancer biology and immunology.