Andrea Timpanaro, MSc
Brief Curriculum Vitae
2008
Abitur, Giuseppe Peano Scientific Liceo, Cinisello Balsamo, IT
2011 - 2014
Bachelor Degree in Biological Science and Technology, University of Insubria, IT
2015 - 2017
Master Degree in Molecular Biotechnology, University of Insubria, IT
2017 - 2018
Master internship in Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research and USI, CH
Since 2018
PhD in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Translational research, Inselspital, University of Bern, CH
Fellowships and Funding
2017 - 2018
Scholarship by Swiss-European Mobility Program
2021 - 2022
Kinderkrebs Schweiz (Children's Cancer Switzerland)
Research interests
CAR T cells for rhabdomyosarcoma therapy
A novel promising therapy targeting tumor targets is represented by Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells. CAR T cells are T cells genetically engineered to produce an artificial T cell receptor for use in immunotherapy. CARs are modular proteins composed of an antigen binding domain (ABD), a spacer or Hinge domain (H), a transmembrane domain (TM) derived e.g. from CD8α or CD28 proteins, one or more intracellular domains, such as CD28 or 4-1BB, and CD3ζ, as signaling and activation domain. CAR-mediated recognition converts tumor-associated antigens expressed on the cell surface into recruitment points of effector functions in T cells. This methodology involves genetic ex vivo engineering of patient's autologous T cells to express a CAR specific for a particular tumor antigen, followed by cell expansion and re-infusion into the patient. Specific surface targets for RMS are scarce and no CAR T cells for RMS are so far available in the clinic.
The main aims of my study are:
to comprehensively investigate rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) surfaceome through proteomics, focusing on the identification of the most expressed cell surface markers in RMS cell lines
to generate and to validate in vitro CAR T cells recognizing a particular target on the surface of RMS
to test CAR T cells in vivo in both orthotopic and disseminated disease RMS mouse models
CAR T cells (green) recognizing a specific surface target and killing rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells (red) in less than 1 day
Best Basic & Translational Research Presentation at the Kinderklinik Research Day 2021
with the talk “CD276 as target for CAR T cell-based therapy to treat rhabdomyosarcoma”
Publications
The mannose 6-phosphate receptor targeted with porphyrin-based periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles for rhabdomyosarcoma theranostics. Daurat M , Nguyen C , Dominguez Gil S , Sol V , Chaleix V , Charnay C , Raehm L, El Cheikh K , Morère A , Bernasconi M , Timpanaro A , Garcia M , Cunin F , Roessler J , Durand JO , Gary-Bobo M . Biomaterials Science. 2020 Jul 7;8(13):3678-3684. doi: 10.1039/d0bm00586j. Epub 2020 May 29. PMID: 32469353
Targeted therapies for rhabdomyosarcoma. Bernasconi M, Dzhumashev D, Timpanaro A, Rössler J. Targeted therapies for rhabdomyosarcoma. Schweizer Krebsbulletin 39, 129–133 (2019). https://www.sakk.ch/sites/default/files/2019-06/SAKK_02-2019_Final_0.pdf
Epigenetic reprogramming and mitochondrial dynamics drive self-renewal and tumorigenic capability of prostate cancer stem cells: new prospects for treatment of prostate cancer. Civenni G, Vàzquez R, Merulla J, Pandit S, Timpanaro A, Vierling L, Giurdanella M, Sorrenti E, Migheli R, Shinde D, Albino D, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. European Urology Supplements. 2019 Oct 18(8):e3109
Epigenetic Control of Mitochondrial Fission Enables Self-Renewal of Stem-like Tumor Cells in Human Prostate Cancer. Civenni G, Bosotti R, Timpanaro A, Vàzquez R, Merulla J, Pandit S, Rossi S, Albino D, Allegrini S, Mitra A, Mapelli SN, Vierling L, Giurdanella M, Marchetti M, Paganoni A, Rinaldi A, Mira-Catò E, D'Antuono R, Morone D, Rezai K, D'Ambrosio G, Ouafik L, Mackenzie S, Riveiro ME, Cvitkovic E, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Cell Metabolism. 2019 Aug 6;30(2):303-318.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.004. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 31130467
Contacts
andrea.timpanaro@dbmr.unibe.ch
+41 031 63 25533
Office E827, E floor
Kinderklinik, Inselspital
Freiburgstrasse, 15
3010, Bern