- Speaker: Prof.Francesca Nazio
Department of Biology – University of Rome Tor Vergata - Title: “Autophagy as a driver of therapy resistance in high-risk medulloblastoma”
- Host Researcher : Stefano Farioli Vecchioli
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, arising in the cerebellum and characterized by molecular heterogeneity and aggressive clinical behavior. Despite multimodal therapy including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, high-risk MB is frequently associated with therapy resistance and long-term toxicity. Therapy resistance represents a major obstacle in the treatment of pediatric MB. My research investigates how autophagy-related signaling pathways regulate tumor adaptation to both immune pressure and radiotherapy. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines molecular and cellular biology with preclinical mouse models and CAR-T/NK-based immunotherapies, we aim to uncover mechanisms of immune evasion and radiation resistance that can be therapeutically targeted. Our studies provide a mechanistic framework for the development of innovative combination strategies to improve treatment response in pediatric solid tumors.
