Speaker: Dr. Valerio Costa
Director of Unit of Immunology at AORN A. Cardarelli, Internal Medicine Division 1, AORN A.
Title : Unraveling molecular alterations in BRAF-mutated thyroid carcinomas: multi-omic insights and alternative approaches to target tumor vulnerabilities
Biography
- MSc in Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II.
- PhD in Metabolism and Aging, Faculty of Medicine, Luigi Vanvitelli University.
2009-2013. Postdoc, IGB-CNR and DiSMET (University Federico II).
- Researcher (temporary) IGB-CNR, confirmed (stable) in 2015.
2015-2018. Scientific Responsible of “Laboratory of Molecular and Computational Biology”, CNR-IRCCS Pascale agreement “Laboratori misti”.
- PI of a My First AIRC Grant.
2023-to date. Senior Researcher.
Author of > 60 papers and 5 book chapters.
- Awarded the International Scientific award “Nunzio Pascale” in Oncology.
2009-2023. Teaching Assistant in Genetics and Molecular Biology, “Parthenope” University.
From 2023. Qualified Full Professor in “Molecular Biology” and Associate Professor in “Genetics” and “General and Clinical Pathology”.
Abstract
BRAF-mutated thyroid carcinomas encompass a clinically aggressive subgroup defined by constitutive MAPK hyperactivation and poorer prognosis. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) – alone or combined with MEK inhibitors – have been approved for metastatic forms of the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), but the exclusive targeting of MAPK pathway frequently elicits acquired resistance, thereby limiting the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. Exploiting complementary molecular vulnerabilities is therefore a priority.
In the last years, by coupling multi-omic profiling and molecular and cell biology approaches, we have systematically identified new therapeutically actionable vulnerabilities of BRAF-mutated papillary (PTC) and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, defining new potential targeting strategies for these tumors.