Morphological, phenotypic and molecular signatures of canine malignancies: new perspectives on classification, prognostication and targeted therapy.
In recent years, the number of available therapies for canine malignancies has considerably increased. However, certain aggressive tumours, such as apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASAC), soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and splenic stromal sarcoma (SSS) still respond limitedly to conventional therapies, resulting in poor prognosis and reduced survival times.
In these neoplasms, the identification of new phenotypic and molecular signatures, together with the identification of new potential therapeutical targets expressed by cancerous cells and by the surrounding tumour microenvironment, represent a crucial step toward the improvement of tumour diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
The aim of this research is to investigate the expression and the distribution of potential molecular targets for chemotherapy in aggressive canine malignancies, focusing on cancerous cells and stromal compartment.
The characterization of the localization and the functions of these molecules might support the use of targets chemotherapeutical agents in veterinary medicine.
Specific objectives of this project are:
1. To characterize TME in canine aggressive selected malignancies;
2. To evaluate new potential therapeutical targets in cancerous cells and within the tumour microenvironment (TME);
3. To assess, both semi-quantitatively and quantitatively, the expression of these molecules in various canine malignancies;
4. To correlate molecular expression patterns with tumour behavior and prognosis;
This study plans to support the use of targeted therapies in treatment of canine malignancies by assessing the expressions of specific molecules within the tumour and its microenvironment. Ultimately, the results are expected to expand current knowledge on cancer biology and to support the rational use of targeted chemotherapeutic agents in veterinary oncology.
I obtained my DVM degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan (UNIMI) in 2024, graduating with full marks (110/110 cum laude), with a thesis on the semi-quantitative evaluation of PDGFRb expression by metastatic and non-metastatic canine AGASAC.
After graduating, I joined the University’s Anatomic Pathology Unit, first as a research collaborator and then as an external collaborator within the project: “Studio di tumori spontanei della specie canina per lo sviluppo di modelli di studio del fenotipo, genotipo e metabolismo tumorale”.
My main interests include comparative oncology, molecular targets for chemotherapy in canine malignancies and the role of tumour microenvironment and inflammation in tumour progression.
Publications: Orcid
Supervisor Prof. Paola Roccabianca
Co-supervisor Prof. Chiara Giudice
