Overview of the research lines:

1. Molecular Oncology and Biomarker Discovery:
   Genetic and molecular profiling of cancer tissues and liquid biopsies, focusing on circulating biomarkers such as cfDNA, miRNAs, and extracellular vesicles, to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic indicators.
2. Patient-Derived Organoid (PDO) Models:
   Establishment and characterization of organoids derived from patient tumour samples. These PDOs faithfully recapitulate the genetic, phenotypic, and functional properties of the original tumours, providing an essential tool for modelling disease heterogeneity and therapeutic responses.
3. 3D Biomimetic Platforms Using Decellularized Extracellular Matrix (ECM):
   Development of decellularized ECM scaffolds from both healthy and cancerous colorectal tissues, preserving native biochemical and structural features. PDOs are integrated into these scaffolds to create complex three-dimensional models that mimic the in vivo tumour microenvironment, enabling more physiologically relevant studies of tumour biology and drug efficacy.
4. Translation to Organ-on-a-Chip Systems:
   Advancement of these 3D platforms into dynamic, microfluidic organ-on-a-chip systems. These devices integrate patient-derived ECM scaffolds, PDOs, and immune components to recreate the tumour microenvironment under controlled conditions, allowing real-time monitoring of cellular interactions, therapeutic testing, and high-throughput drug screening.
5. Nanotechnology and Targeted Drug Delivery:
   Development and application of biomimetic nanovesicles (e.g., Leukosomes-LEUKOs, Monosomes-MONOs) for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to tumour and inflamed tissues, exploring their potential in enhancing treatment specificity and reducing systemic toxicity.

Publications

Tumor microenvironment-mimicking macrophage nanovesicles as a targeted therapy platform for colorectal cancer.
D'Angelo E, Rampado R, Sensi F, Marangio A, Rossi A, Repetto O, Steffan A, Corallo D, Aveic S, Bianchi G, Collino F, Caliceti P, Spolverato G, Agostini M.
Int J Pharm. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125169.

Reconstructed colorectal cancer model to dissect the anti-tumor effect of mesenchymal stromal cells derived extracellular vesicles.
D'Angelo E, Tassinari S, Biccari A, Crotti S, Sensi F, Marangio A, Repetto O, Corona G, Bellucci L, Antico F, Caicci F, Spolverato G, Montini G, Bussolati B, Agostini M, Collino F.
Exp Hematol Oncol. 2024. doi: 10.1186/s40164-024-00526-2.

Recent Advancements in Hydrogel Biomedical Research in Italy.
Zanrè E, Dalla Valle E, D'Angelo E, Sensi F, Agostini M, Cimetta E.Gels. 2024. doi: 10.3390/gels10040248.

Profile of matrix-entrapped extracellular vesicles of microenvironmental and infiltrating cell origin in decellularized colorectal cancer and adjacent mucosa.
Tassinari S, D'Angelo E, Caicci F, Grange C, Burrello J, Fassan M, Brossa A, Bao RQ, Spolverato G, Agostini M, Collino F, Bussolati B.
J Extracell Biol. 2024. doi: 10.1002/jex2.144.

Jurisica I, Pucciarelli S, Agostini M. An integrated multiomics analysis of rectal cancer patients identified POU2F3 as a putative druggable target and entinostat as a cytotoxic enhancer of 5-fluorouracil.
D'Angelo E, Pastrello C, Biccari A, Marangio A, Sensi F, Crotti S, Fassan M,Int J Cancer. 2023. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34478.

Establishment of a human 3D pancreatic adenocarcinoma model based on a patient-derived extracellular matrix scaffold.
Sensi F, D'angelo E, Biccari A, Marangio A, Battisti G, Crotti S, Fassan M, Laterza C, Giomo M, Elvassore N, Spolverato G, Pucciarelli S, Agostini M.
Transl Res. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.015.

Funding:

1. 2024 ERC Proof of Concept (POC) 2024
   Title: MicroScale system integrating Patient- specific cancer Organoids in a 3D Tumor microenvironment for Therapy rEsponse preDiction (SPOTTED).
2. 2023 IRP- Advanced Grant
   Title: Multi-cellular integrated model on a chip: its new and unexplored role in solid rare pediatric tumor treatment.
3. 2023 Progetto SID (BIRD) DiSCOG
   Title: Multi-cellular integrated model on a chip: its new and unexplored role in solid tumor/ disease treatment.
4. 2023 AIRC Investigator Grant- IG 2022, Role: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
   Title: Multi-cellular integrated model on a chip: its new and unexplored role in rectal cancer treatment.
5. 2023 UNI-IMPRESA 2022
   Title: Multicellular Microfluidic Platform for Studying Colorectal Cancer Treatment (MICROTUCORE)

People involved:
Marco Agostini, PhD
Gaya Spolverato, MD
Alessandra Pulvirenti, MD
Marco Scarpa, MD

Group members:
Edoardo D'angelo, PhD
Francesca Sensi, PhD
Anna De Rossi, PhD Student
Isacco Maretto, MD
Alessandro Perin, MD
Clara Benna, PhD
Francesco Celotto, MD