Team

Liver Cancer Unit

Logo HCC GROUP

Name of the Group:

Liver Cancer Unit

Board Members:
Devis Pascut (Senior Researcher)
Luca Grisetti (PhD Student)
Vivien Josol
(PhD Student)
Clarissa Garcia (PhD Student)
Therriz Mamerto (PhD Student)

Caecilia Sukowati (Senior Researcher)
Cyrollah Disoma (PhD Student)
Georgia Zancotti (Master Degree Student)

Research Description:  

The research group focuses on translational research in the field of liver cancers, with particular interest on circulating biomarkers, identification of molecular targets for therapies, immunotherapies, drug resistance, cancer cells heterogeneity, and cancer stem cells. The group actively engages in collaborative partnerships with SMEs, large companies, hospitals and research institutions in Europe, Asia, and America, to facilitate the development of research projects and tools that promote the translation of scientific findings from the laboratory to clinical practice and vice versa. By fostering these collaborations, the group aims to enhance the transferability of research outcomes, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare practices. 

In detail, the group is currently studying:
1) The role of Aurora kinase A in liver cancer and the benefits derived from a synergistic treatment including AURKA inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors;
2) The extra-telomeric roles of telomerase and its value as a prognostic biomarker after liver resection;
3) Liquid biopsy for early cancer diagnosis;
4) The value of zinc transporters as potential targets for antitumor therapy;
5) Evaluation and identification of potential new targeted molecular therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma;
6) Molecular pathogenesis of viral hepatitis-related HCC;
7) Development of a novel targeted delivery vector, including nanoparticles.