The success of tumor immunotherapy is hindered by the ability of tumors to elicit a plethora of immunosuppressive strategies, including the capacity to dampen the tumor infiltration of lymphocytes. My research is focused on describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms of T cells exclusion in the tumor microenvironment of ovarian cancer. I am investigating the impact of a stem cell-like tumor phenotype ("stemness") on the immunological properties of cancer. Moreover, I am undertaking my studies evaluating specific cancer stemnnes genes or signaling pathways that influence the composition and abundance of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, specifically in ovarian cancer. The results of this investigation will shed further lights on this immune escape strategy mediated by ovarian tumor cells and may lead to the development of novel strategies to personalized treatment.

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