Paolo Lunghi is Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, University of Parma, and Head of the Laboratory of Experimental and Translational Onco-Hematology.
He received his degree in Biological Sciences (1991), his Specialization in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1998), and his PhD in Molecular Biology and Pathology (2014) from the University of Parma. He obtained the Italian National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) for Full Professorship (05/F1 – Applied Biology), as well as qualification for Associate Professorship in the sectors 05/B2 and 05/E1.
Since 1992, he has been continuously engaged in research in molecular oncology and experimental onco-hematology. His scientific program focuses on the signaling networks that regulate cell survival, tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myeloma and lymphomas. The overarching goal of his research is the identification and preclinical validation of novel therapeutic targets and the development of rational combinatorial strategies capable of overcoming adaptive resistance mechanisms induced by conventional and targeted therapies.
His laboratory integrates clinically relevant preclinical models — including advanced two- and three-dimensional static and dynamic culture systems, tumor organoids, stromal co-culture platforms and xenograft models — with comprehensive molecular and functional analyses. Major research lines encompass oncogenic signaling pathways (MEK/ERK, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, c-Abl and Aurora kinases), apoptosis regulation mediated by the Bcl-2 protein family, and DNA damage response and cell-death processes controlled by the p53/p73 family. A specific area of expertise includes rational drug repurposing strategies, particularly involving PDE4 inhibitors and arsenic trioxide.
He has coordinated and contributed to numerous competitive national and international research programs (AIRC, PRIN, Regional funding) and has led or participated in industry-sponsored research projects (Merck & Co., Nerviano Medical Sciences, Chiesi Farmaceutici). He is responsible for projects aimed at developing three-dimensional bone marrow microenvironment models as alternatives to animal experimentation, in accordance with the 3Rs principles. He is co-inventor of international patents in leukemia therapy.
In 2009, he received recognition from the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC) for a publication in Blood, selected among the most representative contributions in the field of hematologic oncology.
His scientific production includes publications in high-impact international journals, with leadership roles as first, last and corresponding author (H-index 28; >2,600 citations, Scopus). He is actively involved in teaching Cellular Biology and in supervising undergraduate, graduate and early-career researchers.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4416-7975
