Targeting ROBOs and SLIT guidance cues
in the immune-suppressive stromal context
of pancreatic cancer
For the Translit project, the Cardone Laboratory will utilize transcriptomic-based analysis to identify and validate biomarkers for selecting tumor patients with aberrant SLIT-ROBO axis and associated immunophenotypes. Collaborating with project partners, the laboratory will investigate mechanisms of immune escape and immunosurveillance to construct computational networks relevant to the SLIT-ROBO immunosuppressive scenario and the tumor microenvironment. These networks will aid in exploring target pathways and drugs through multiple drug-network repurposing pipelines. Additionally, master regulators identified from functional cluster analyses will be examined as potential targets. Established drug repurposing computational pipelines will prioritize drugs based on predicted synergism or antagonisms with immunotherapies.
Dr. Cardone is principal investigator at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC) at the National Research Council and Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE) in Rome, Italy. With extensive expertise in tumor genetics, oncogenic signaling pathways, tumor genetic signatures, metabolomics, and oncology drug repurposing, Dr. Cardone leads a dedicated drug repurposing laboratory committed to translational cancer research.
The focus of Dr. Cardone’s laboratory is on leveraging systems biology and computational methodologies to advance personalized therapies and drug repurposing in oncology. Their research pipeline, rooted in comprehensive transcriptomic analysis, aims to identify and validate FDA-approved drugs suitable for repurposing against established cancer targets. This innovative approach integrates in-silico modeling with experimental validation activities.
Significant successes have been achieved in the laboratory, particularly in repurposing drugs to hinder the growth of pancreatic malignancies dependent on the KRAS oncogene. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of in-silico and experimental drug repurposing strategies, tailored to address specific medical needs in cancer treatment.
INSTITUTE OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY (IBBC)-CNR
c/o Campus Internazionale “A.Buzzati-Traverso”
Via E. Ramarini, 32 – 00015 Monterotondo Scalo Roma (RM) – Italy
email: luca.cardone@cnr.it
Phone (Office):+390690091252
Phone (Laboratory): +390690098466
and
REGINA ELENA NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE – IRCCS
Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit
Via Elio Chianesi, 53
00144 Rome, Italy
email: luca.cardone@ifo.it
Ilse Rooman
Laarbeeklaan 103
1090 Brussels
Belgium
Targeting ROBOs and SLIT guidance cues
in the immune-suppressive stromal context
of pancreatic cancer