Ateneo

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3227-8280
 

A. Personal Statement

I am a Researcher Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Clinical Pathology at the University of Link. Previously, I led an independent research program focused on the molecular mechanisms driving therapy resistance in female cancers. My research integrated molecular biology, functional genomics, and translational oncology to identify biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities that can improve treatment strategies for patients with aggressive malignancies, particularly ovarian and breast cancers.

A defining feature of my research program is the integration of advanced genomic technologies with clinically annotated patient samples. Recently, I was awarded competitive spatial transcriptomics services, enabling my laboratory to investigate tumor heterogeneity and transcriptional regulation within the spatial context of the tumor microenvironment. This award represents an important milestone for my independent research program and allows us to apply cutting-edge spatial technologies to address clinically relevant questions in ovarian cancer biology.

To translate these molecular discoveries into clinically meaningful insights, I have established a collaborative research program with Professor Robert Fruscio, Head of Gynecology and an internationally recognized expert in ovarian cancer. This collaboration provides access to well-characterized high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma specimens and associated clinical data, enabling us to integrate spatial transcriptomic analyses with patient outcomes and therapeutic response. The combination of advanced genomic technologies and clinical expertise creates a powerful framework to study how transcriptional heterogeneity contributes to platinum resistance and disease progression.

My research career has consistently focused on uncovering mechanisms of therapeutic resistance across multiple cancer types. One of my most significant contributions involved investigating resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. Supported by a competitive grant from the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, this work demonstrated that loss of CDKN2B expression is associated with resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and identified TWIST1 upregulation as a potential therapeutic target to restore drug sensitivity. These findings were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and subsequently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

In parallel, I developed an innovative drug delivery strategy based on mesenchymal stem cell–conditioned medium loaded with paclitaxel to target aggressive tumors. This approach demonstrated therapeutic potential in triple-negative breast cancer as well as gynecologic malignancies, including endometrial and cervical cancers, and was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Earlier in my career, I contributed to studies investigating resistance mechanisms to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in hematologic and solid tumors, including chronic myeloid leukemia, ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. These studies were supported by the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi and resulted in publications in leading journals such as the American Journal of Hematology, Cancer Research, and the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

As an independent investigator, my goal is to bridge mechanistic cancer biology with clinically relevant research questions. By integrating spatial transcriptomics, functional genomics, and patient-derived models, my research program aims to identify new biomarkers of therapeutic response and uncover transcriptional mechanisms that drive treatment resistance. Ultimately, this work seeks to advance precision medicine approaches and improve outcomes for patients affected by ovarian cancer and other aggressive malignancies.
 

B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

• 2026–present: RTT in Clinical Pathology, University of Link, Italy.
• 2024–2026: Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
• 2018–2023: Senior Postdoc Fellow, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
• 2022–present: Member, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
• 2014–2018: Senior Postdoc Fellow, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
• 2011–2013: Senior Postdoc Fellow, Endostem Project, IRCCS Eugenio Medea / DIBIT1, Milan.
• 2009–2010: Maternity leave.
• 2007–2009: Postdoc Fellow, Epistem Project, University of Milano.
• 2003–2007: Italian Ministry of University and Research, three-year Ph.D. scholarship.

Honors

• 2003: Fellow for Young Researchers from the Italian Ministry of University and Research — €6,000.
• 2016: Grant for postdoc fellow, Umberto Veronesi — €28,000.
• 2019: Grant for postdoc fellow, Umberto Veronesi — €28,500.
• 2024: A new model to bypass TKI resistance in EML::ALK NSCLC cell lines, OXIAMO charity — PI Nicoletta Cordani — €16,000.
• 2025: Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma to Improve Patient Stratification and Elucidate Mechanisms of Tumor Progression and Chemoresistance, ID2142643, submitted to the call for Access 25-G-ROUND-1 to the National Facility for Genomics, Human Technopole, PI Nicoletta Cordani.
• 2026: A new model to bypass TKI resistance in EML::ALK NSCLC cell lines, OXIAMO charity — PI Nicoletta Cordani and Luca Mologni — €50,000.

C. Contributions to Science

Early Contributions to Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Research

Dr. Cordani's early research focused on malignant fibrous histiocytoma, contributing to understanding its cellular origin and identifying key gene transcripts. Notable publications include:

• Gazziola C, Cordani N, Wasserman B, Carta S, Colombatti A, Perris R. “Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a proposed cellular origin and identification of its characterizing gene transcripts.” International Journal of Oncology. 2003 Aug; 23(2):343–351.
• Gazziola C, Cordani N, Carta S, De Lorenzo E, Colombatti A, Perris R. “The relative endogenous expression levels of the IFNAR2 isoforms influence the cytostatic and pro-apoptotic effect of IFNalpha on pleomorphic sarcoma cells.” International Journal of Oncology. 2005 Jan; 26(1):129–140.

PhD Research on Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Pleural Mesothelioma

During her PhD studies, Dr. Cordani made significant contributions to the morphological, growth rate, immunocytochemical, and molecular analysis of renal clear cell carcinoma and pleural mesothelioma. These insights were published in high-impact journals, including:

• Proteomics (2004; 4(8):2252–2260) — cited 68 times.
• Proteomics (2005; 5(3):788–795) — cited 22 times.
• Journal of Proteome Research (2005; 4(5):1503–1510) — cited 35 times.
• Lung Cancer (2006; 51(2):207–215) — cited 128 times.

Contribution to Keratinocyte Differentiation Research

As part of the EPISTEM project, Dr. Cordani clarified the role of p63 in keratinocyte differentiation. This work was published in Oncogene in 2011 and has been cited 33 times.

• Cordani N, Pozzi S, Martynova E, Fanoni D, Borrelli S, Alotto D, Castagnoli C, Berti E, Viganò MA, Mantovani R. “Mutant p53 subverts p63 control over KLF4 expression in keratinocytes.” Oncogene. 2011 Feb 24;30(8):922–932. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.474. PMID: 20972454.

Discovery of Fibro-Adipogenic Precursor Cells (FAPs)

During the ENDOSTEM project, Dr. Cordani identified a new type of muscle precursor cell known as Fibro-Adipogenic Precursor cells (FAPs), which have the potential to enhance Duchenne therapy. This groundbreaking discovery was published in Stem Cells (2014; 32(4), pp. 874–885) and has been cited 63 times.

• Cordani N, Pisa V, Pozzi L, Sciorati C, Clementi E. “Nitric oxide controls fat deposition in dystrophic skeletal muscle by regulating fibro-adipogenic precursor differentiation.” Stem Cells. 2014 Apr;32(4):874–885. doi: 10.1002/stem.1587. PMID: 24170326.

Research on TKI Resistance Mechanisms

Dr. Cordani contributed to elucidating the mechanisms of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the University of Milano-Bicocca. This research, supported by the FUV 2016 project, was published in:

• American Journal of Hematology (2016; 91(1), pp. 67–75).
• Cancer Research (2018; 78(24), pp. 6866–6880).
• Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2019; 14(11), pp. e257–e259).
• Cordani N, Nova D, Sala L, Abbate MI, Colonese F, Cortinovis DL, Canova S. “Proteolysis Targeting Chimera Agents (PROTACs): New Hope for Overcoming the Resistance Mechanisms in Oncogene-Addicted Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 Oct 18;25(20):11214. doi: 10.3390/ijms252011214. PMID: 39456995.
• Villa M, Sharma GG, Malighetti F, Mauri M, Arosio G, Cordani N, Lobello C, Larose H, Pirola A, D'Aliberti D, Massimino L, Criscuolo L, Pagani L, Chinello C, Mastini C, Fontana D, Bombelli S, Meneveri R, Lovisa F, Mussolin L, Janikova A, Pospíšilová Š, Turner SD, Inghirami G, Magni F, Urso M, Pagni F, Ramazzotti D, Piazza R, Chiarle R, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Mologni L. “Recurrent somatic mutations of FAT family cadherins induce an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in anaplastic large cell lymphoma.” British Journal of Cancer. 2024 Dec;131(11):1781–1795. doi: 10.1038/s41416-024-02881-7.
• Villa M, Malighetti F, Sala E, Sharma GG, Arosio G, Gemelli M, Manfroni C, Fontana D, Cordani N, Meneveri R, Zambon A, Piazza R, Pagni F, Cortinovis D, Mologni L. “New pan-ALK inhibitor-resistant EML4::ALK mutations detected by liquid biopsy in lung cancer patients.” NPJ Precision Oncology. 2024 Mar 6;8(1):29. doi: 10.1038/s41698-024-00498-w.
• Cortinovis DL, Colonese F, Abbate MI, Sala L, Meazza Prina M, Cordani N, Sala E, Canova S. “Harnessing DLL3 inhibition: From old promises to new therapeutic horizons.” Frontiers in Medicine. 2022 Dec 1;9:989405. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.989405.

Novel Drug Delivery Techniques for Cancer Therapy

Dr. Cordani pioneered a new technique for administering drugs to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, which is also applicable to endometrial and cervical cancers. This innovative approach utilized a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) conditioned medium loaded with paclitaxel, inspired by earlier studies on mesothelioma cell lines. The findings were published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Volume 24, Pages 1–16, ISSN: 1422-0067).

• Cordani N, Lisini D, Coccè V, Paglia G, Meanti R, Cerrito MG, Tettamanti P, Bonaffini L, Paino F, Alessandri G, Marcianti A, Giannì A, Villa C, Mauri M, Mologni L, Torsello A, Pessina A, Cazzaniga ME. “Conditioned Medium of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Loaded with Paclitaxel Is Effective in Preclinical Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 Mar 20;24(6):5864. doi: 10.3390/ijms24065864. PMID: 36982938.

Advancements in CDK4/6 Inhibitor Resistance Research

Dr. Cordani’s recent research has focused on resistance mechanisms to CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. The study identified the loss of CDKN2B expression as a potential resistance marker and demonstrated that TWIST1 upregulation could serve as a therapeutic target for reversing resistance in luminal metastatic breast cancer cells. This work was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2023.

• Cordani N, Mologni L, Piazza R, Tettamanti P, Cogliati V, Mauri M, Villa M, Malighetti F, Di Bella C, Jaconi M, Cerrito MG, Cavaletti G, Lavitrano M, Cazzaniga ME. “TWIST1 Upregulation Is a Potential Target for Reversing Resistance to the CDK4/6 Inhibitor in Metastatic Luminal Breast Cancer Cells.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 Nov 14;24(22):16294. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216294. PMID: 38003483.
• Malighetti F, Villa M, Villa AM, Pelucchi S, Aroldi A, Cortinovis DL, Canova S, Capici S, Cazzaniga ME, Mologni L, Ramazzotti D, Cordani N. “Prognostic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer via Multi-Omics Clustering Analysis.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025 Feb 24;26(5):1943. doi: 10.3390/ijms26051943.
• Cordani N, Bianchi T, Ammoni LC, Cortinovis DL, Cazzaniga ME, Lissoni AA, Landoni F, Canova S. “An Overview of PARP Resistance in Ovarian Cancer from a Molecular and Clinical Perspective.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 Jul 25;24(15):11890. doi: 10.3390/ijms241511890.
• Ilari A, Cogliati V, Sherif N, Grassilli E, Ramazzotti D, Cordani N, Cazzaniga G, Di Bella C, Lavitrano M, Cazzaniga ME, Cerrito MG. “Differential Expression of NOTCH-1 and Its Molecular Targets in Response to Metronomic Followed by Conventional Therapy in a Patient with Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.” Biomedicines. 2024 Jan 25;12(2):272. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12020272.
• Scagliotti A, Capizzi L, Cazzaniga ME, Ilari A, De Giorgi M, Cordani N, Gallazzi M, Bruno A, Pelosi G, Albini A, Lavitrano M, Grassilli E, Cerrito MG. “Co-targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells and endothelial cells by metronomic chemotherapy inhibits cell regrowth and migration via downregulation of the FAK/VEGFR2/VEGF axis and autophagy/apoptosis activation.” Frontiers in Oncology. 2022 Nov 30;12:998274.
• Pepe FF, Cazzaniga ME, Baroni S, Riva F, Cicchiello F, Capici S, Cogliati V, Maggioni C, Cordani N, Cerrito MG, Malandrin S. “Immunomodulatory effects of metronomic vinorelbine (mVRL), with or without metronomic capecitabine (mCAPE), in hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients: final results of the exploratory phase 2 Victor-5 study.” BMC Cancer. 2022 Sep 6;22(1):956.
• Cazzaniga ME, Capici S, Cordani N, Cogliati V, Pepe FF, Riva F, Cerrito MG. “Metronomic Chemotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment: Clinical and Preclinical Data between Lights and Shadows.” Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022 Aug 12;11(16):4710.
• Cogliati V, Capici S, Pepe FF, di Mauro P, Riva F, Cicchiello F, Maggioni C, Cordani N, Cerrito MG, Cazzaniga ME. “How to Treat HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients after CDK4/6 Inhibitors: An Unfinished Story.” Life. 2022 Mar 5;12(3):378.
• Cazzaniga ME, Cordani N, Capici S, Cogliati V, Riva F, Cerrito MG. “Metronomic Chemotherapy.” Cancers. 2021 May 6;13(9):2236.

Total citations: >950 (Scopus)

h-index: 17 (Scopus ID 6506084693)

Curriculum Vitae