Dr. Lucia Nappi, MD, Ph.D

Dr. Lucia Nappi is a distinguished clinician scientist and medical oncologist specializing in genitourinary malignancies. With a robust background that includes medical school, residency, and a PhD in Italy, followed by post-doctoral and clinical research fellowships in Vancouver, Dr. Nappi currently serves as a senior research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre and an assistant professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia. 

Dr. Nappi's research is at the forefront of understanding molecular mechanisms of resistance to targeted and chemotherapy agents in genitourinary tumours, with a focus on biomarker discovery for treatment response and resistance. This includes the development of a novel Anti-HSP27 small molecule for controlling prostate cancer proliferation, translating her findings into clinical trials. She leads translational efforts in plasma-based biomarkers for germ cell tumours and spearheads clinical trials validating miR371's role in managing these tumours. Dr. Nappi collaborates extensively on national and international research initiatives, enhancing treatment outcomes through innovative approaches and earning prestigious awards such as the SWOG Young Investigator Award, Michael Smith Foundation Research Trainee Award, and Tad Smith & Caroline Fitzgibbons-PCF Young Investigator Award.

Recent Publications

  1. Developing a Highly Specific Biomarker for Germ Cell Malignancies: Plasma miR371 Expression Across the Germ Cell Malignancy Spectrum (L. Nappi et al., 2019, J. Clin. Oncol.)
  2. SWOG S1823/CCTG GCC1: Translational Observational Investigational Study of the Liquid Biomarker MicroRNA 371a-3p in Newly Diagnosed Germ Cell Tumours—Real-World Trial Design, Rapid Accrual, and Robust Secondary Use of Data Opportunities (A.M. Coulombe et al., 2023, J. Clin. Oncol.)
  3. Long Term Follow-Up Analysis of Plasma miR371 Expression to Detect Early Relapse in Patients with Clinical Stage I Testicular Germ Cell Tumors on Surveillance (L. Nappi et al., 2023, J. Clin. Oncol.)
  4. Ivermectin Inhibits HSP27 and Potentiates Efficacy of Oncogene Targeting in Tumor Models (L. Nappi et al., 2019, J. Clin. Invest.)
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