Andrea Timpanaro, MSc

Brief Curriculum Vitae

Abitur, Giuseppe Peano Scientific Liceo, Cinisello Balsamo, IT          

Bachelor Degree in Biological Science and Technology, University of Insubria, IT

Master Degree in Molecular Biotechnology, University of Insubria, IT

Master internship in Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research and USI, CH

PhD in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Translational research, Inselspital, University of Bern, CH

Fellowships and Funding

Scholarship by Swiss-European Mobility Program

Kinderkrebs Schweiz (Children's Cancer Switzerland)

Research interests


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:


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

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