Scientists in Trentino Make Breakthrough Discovery in Prostate Cancer Research
In a recent study conducted in Trentino, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the molecular origins of chronic tissue inflammation in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men, with one in five cases being attributed to it, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization.
The study, published in the scientific journal Embo Journal, was led by Andrea Lunardi and Alessandro Alaimo, from the Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Genetics at the University of Trento. The researchers deciphered a mechanism by which inflammation of the prostate gland promotes anti-tumor immunity, shedding light on how the immune system responds to prostate cancer.
This discovery opens up new opportunities for treating prostate cancer, particularly those that are described as “immunologically cold” and have a poor presence of immune system cells. By understanding how inflammation of the prostate gland affects the immune response to tumors, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for this type of cancer.
The study was a collaborative effort between research institutions and clinical centers, with support from local and international funding. Researchers from the University of Trento worked alongside clinicians from the Provincial Health Services Company of the Autonomous Province of Trento to achieve these promising results.
Elisa Marmocchi, a doctoral scholarship recipient from the Pezcoller Foundation, will continue to work on this topic for the next three years, further advancing our understanding of prostate cancer and its immune response.
The research groups involved in the study were supported by various foundations and institutions, including the Armenise-Harvard Foundation, the Airc Foundation for cancer research, the Italian League for the fight against tumors (Lilt), the Trentino Foundation for Tumor Research (Ftrt), and the Ministry of University and Research (Mur).
The study also involved researchers from other Italian and European institutions, including the universities of Bern, Turin, Insubria, Milan San Raffaele, and the Venetian Oncology Institute of Padua. The collaboration between these institutions highlights the importance of working together to advance our understanding of prostate cancer and develop more effective treatments for patients.
Overall, this breakthrough discovery in prostate cancer research offers hope for improving the outcomes for patients with this disease and paves the way for further advancements in cancer treatment.