Professori Ordinari

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
AMC scientific activity is based on the study of structural, catalytic and physiological properties of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Since 2002 she has been involved in the design, synthesis and study of potent inhibitors of GSTP1-1, a GST isoform involved in the onset of drug resistance in tumors. Moreover, she clarified the mechanism of action of these nitrobenzoxadiazole derivatives, in particular of NBDHEX, at cellular level. The new compounds show promising anticancer properties and have been included in the United States Patent No. US8,796,317 B2 (USE OF 7-NITRO-2,1,3-BENZOXADIAZOLE DERIVATIVES FOR ANTICANCER THERAPY, Caccuri et al.) and in the Italian Patent No 0001412189 (DERIVATI DEL 7-NITRO-2,1,3-BENZOSSADIAZOLO PER TERAPIA ANTITUMORALE, Mai, Caccuri et al). Notable among them is MC3181, a water-soluble derivative of NBDHEX, which is highly effective against human melanoma cells carrying the BRAFV600E mutation, both sensitive and resistant to vemurafenib. MC3181 also shows antitumor activity in vivo, against both types of tumors. Moreover, the work of AMC has led to the synthesis of phosphate monoesters of NBDHEX and MC3181 (compounds MC3479 e MC3626) characterized by very good solubility in aqueous solutions. These compounds have proved safe and effective when administered intravenously or orally as an aqueous solution to mice xenografted with A375 human melanoma cells. Collectively, these findings support the potential use of nitrobenzoxadiazole derivatives in novel therapies for the treatment of different types of tumors, in particular of melanoma.
AMC is currently involved in the study of TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), to clarify the involvement of this protein in the formation of multivesicular bodies and / or in the autophagic process. In the hope it will result in new strategies for drug-delivery, she is also studying how best to exploit the TRAF2 C-terminal domain’s ability to induce endovesiculation.
Overall AMC scientific activity has resulted in 2 Patents and 102 papers in international scientific journals (Scopus). H- index =33 (March 2022), Citations: 3246 (March 2022).

FUNDING RECEIVED:
(2006 – 2008) Research project B1-35 / DIL / 04 of ISPESL (Role: PI).
(2008 – 2010) Research project B-02-DML-07 of ISPESL (Role: PI)
(2007 – 2011) Finalized Research Project of the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (Role : Head of OU).
(2010 – 2013) Three-year research project of AIRC IG 2010 (Role: PI).
(2015 – 2016) Project “CONSOLIDATE THE FOUNDATIONS” University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (Role: PI) .
(2016 – 2018) Project funded by the IRCCS Fondazione G.B. Bietti (Role: PI)
(2020 -2021) Project funded by the IRCCS Fondazione G.B. Bietti (Role PI)

TEACHING ACTIVITY
Enzimology . University of Rome “Tor Vergata” – Master Degree in Chemistry (6 CFU).
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry University of Rome “Tor Vergata” – Degree in Chemistry – (6 CFU).
Enzimology University of Rome “Tor Vergata” -Master Degree in Medical Biotechnology – (2 CFU).

• Pubblicazioni (Scopus) | Pubblicazioni (ART)