De Laurenzi

Research Activities

The group has a long and documented experience in the field of cancer research with a multidisciplinary approach ranging from basic to translational science.

We have been working for many years in the field of cell signaling, investigating the pathways implicated in normal to malignant cells transformation. Our work aimed to elucidate the function of cell-cycle regulation key players as such as p73, p63 and p53. Moreover, we were the first to identified new role for the protein FLASH in controlling histone gene transcription and cell cycle progression.

In recent years, our research moved towards a more translational approach covering the development and characterization of potential target therapeutics. They includes naked and drug-conjugated antibodies, nanoparticles and small molecules. In particular, we are interested in study target implicated in tumor-stromal interactions in different cancer models, including PDAC, Neuroblastoma, GBM and melanoma. We developed a platform of preclinical models allowing proof of concept studies, in order to define in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cancer therapeutics candidates. The platform make use of biobanks (PDAC and GBM), PDX (Patient derived Xenografts) and CDX (Cell Line-derived Xenograft) as well as metastatic models available in our lab. The group has established an extensive research network in Italy and abroad, including academic and biotech companies collaborations.

 

Current research lines are:

 

Recent Publications
1. Gandullo-Sanchez, L., et al., HER3 targeting with an antibody-drug conjugate bypasses resistance to anti-HER2 therapies. EMBO Mol Med, 2020. 12(5): p. e11498.
2. Efthymakis, K., et al., An Exploratory Gene Expression Study of the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity. Int J Mol Sci, 2020. 21(6).
3. Bibbo, S., et al., Repurposing a psychoactive drug for children with cancer: p27(Kip1)-dependent inhibition of metastatic neuroblastomas by Prozac. Oncogenesis, 2020. 9(1): p. 3.
4. Subramanian, A., et al., Auto-regulation of Secretory Flux by Sensing and Responding to the Folded Cargo Protein Load in the Endoplasmic Reticulum. Cell, 2019. 176(6): p. 1461-1476 e23.
5. Emmanouilidi, A., et al., Preclinical validation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibition in pancreatic cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 2019. 38(1): p. 191.
6. Basile, A., et al., Development of an anti-BAG3 humanized antibody for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Mol Oncol, 2019.
7. Adamska, A., et al., ABCC3 is a novel target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Adv Biol Regul, 2019.
8. Adamska, A., et al., Pharmacological inhibition of ABCC3 slows tumour progression in animal models of pancreatic cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 2019. 38(1): p. 312.
9. Iorio, V., et al., Combined effect of anti-BAG3 and anti-PD-1 treatment on macrophage infiltrate, CD8(+) T cell number and tumour growth in pancreatic cancer. Gut, 2018. 67(4): p. 780-782.
10. Giansanti, F., et al., Secreted Gal-3BP is a novel promising target for non-internalizing Antibody-Drug Conjugates. J Control Release, 2018. 294: p. 176-184.
11. Ferro, R., et al., GPR55 signalling promotes proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and tumour growth in mice, and its inhibition increases effects of gemcitabine. Oncogene, 2018.
12. Capone, V., et al., PERK inhibition attenuates the abnormalities of the secretory pathway and the increased apoptotic rate induced by SIL1 knockdown in HeLa cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis, 2018. 1864(10): p. 3164-3180.
13. Capone, E., et al., EV20-mediated delivery of cytotoxic auristatin MMAF exhibits potent therapeutic efficacy in cutaneous melanoma. J Control Release, 2018. 277: p. 48-56.
14. De Marco, M., et al., Role of BAG3 in cancer progression: A therapeutic opportunity. Semin Cell Dev Biol, 2017.
15. Damiani, V., et al., Therapeutic Efficacy of the Novel Stimuli-Sensitive Nano-Ferritins Containing Doxorubicin in a Head and Neck Cancer Model. Int J Mol Sci, 2017. 18(7).
16. Corda, G., et al., Functional and prognostic significance of the genomic amplification of frizzled 6 (FZD6) in breast cancer. Journal of Pathology, 2017. 241(3): p. 350-361.
17. Capone, E., et al., Generation of a novel Antibody-Drug Conjugate targeting endosialin: potent and durable antitumor response in sarcoma. Oncotarget, 2017. 8(36): p. 60368-60377.
18. Capone, E., et al., EV20-Sap, a novel anti-HER-3 antibody-drug conjugate, displays promising antitumor activity in melanoma. Oncotarget, 2017. 8(56): p. 95412-95424.
19. Rosati, A., et al., BAG3 promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth by activating stromal macrophages. Nat Commun, 2015. 6: p. 8695.
20. Prasetyanti, P.R., et al., ErbB-3 activation by NRG-1beta sustains growth and promotes vemurafenib resistance in BRAF-V600E colon cancer stem cells (CSCs). Oncotarget, 2015. 6(19): p. 16902-11.
21. Ghasemi, R., et al., Dual targeting of ErbB-2/ErbB-3 results in enhanced antitumor activity in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. Oncogenesis, 2014. 3: p. e117.
22. Cancino, J., et al., Control systems of membrane transport at the interface between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi. Developmental Cell, 2014. 30(3): p. 280-294.
23. Sala, G., et al., EV20, a Novel Anti-ErbB-3 Humanized Antibody, Promotes ErbB-3 Down-Regulation and Inhibits Tumor Growth In Vivo. Transl Oncol, 2013. 6(6): p. 676-84.
24. Falco, A., et al., BAG3 is a novel serum biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Am J Gastroenterol, 2013. 108(7): p. 1178-80.
25. Sala, G., et al., An ErbB-3 antibody, MP-RM-1, inhibits tumor growth by blocking ligand-dependent and independent activation of ErbB-3/Akt signaling. Oncogene, 2012. 31(10): p. 1275-86.
26. Giannotta, M., et al., The KDEL receptor couples to Galphaq/11 to activate Src kinases and regulate transport through the Golgi. EMBO J, 2012. 31(13): p. 2869-81.
27. De Cola, A., et al., FLASH is essential during early embryogenesis and cooperates with p73 to regulate histone gene transcription. Oncogene, 2012. 31(5): p. 573-82.
Group Leader
Vincenzo De Laurenzi
Vincenzo De Laurenzi

Full Professor In Clinical Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology

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Workgroup
Michele Sallese
Michele Sallese

Assistant Professor
in Biochemistry

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Gianluca Sala
Gianluca Sala

Assistant Professor
in Biochemistry

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Emily Capone
Emily Capone

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Verena Damiani
Verena Damiani

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Beatrice Dufrusine
Beatrice Dufrusine

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Antonella Di Campli
Antonella Di Campli

Senior researcher

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Francesca Potenza
Francesca Potenza

PhD student

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Sandra Bibbò
Sandra Bibbò

PhD student

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