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Announcements
19 September 2025
Interview with Dr. Luca Tiraboschi—Winner of the Cancers Best PhD Thesis Award
We congratulate Dr. Luca Tiraboschi for winning the Cancers 2025 Best PhD Thesis Award with his publication, “Impact of Intratumoral Microbiota in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment Efficacy”.
Name: Dr. Luca Tiraboschi
Affiliation: IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
Research interests: translational research; osteosarcoma; dog; cancer vaccine
The following is an interview with Dr. Luca Tiraboschi:
1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and the scientific research you conducted during your doctoral studies?
During my PhD, I focused on exploring the interactions between cancer and microbiota. My thesis included two main projects. The first investigated the role of the intratumoral microbiome in soft tissue sarcomas and its ability to inactivate the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, potentially contributing to treatment resistance. The second project aimed to develop an innovative antitumor vaccine based on ER stress-derived peptides, designed to enhance the immune response and possibly overcome resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, my doctoral work combined microbiology, immunology, and oncology, with the broader goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
2. Did you encounter any difficulties in carrying out this research? If yes, how did you overcome them, and what strategies did you use to stay focused and motivated?
Like most research projects, mine came with challenges both technical and conceptual. Isolating and characterizing tumor-resident bacteria, for example, required the optimization of protocols that were not well established in the field. At times, progress was slower than expected, which was frustrating. What helped me was keeping a clear long-term vision, breaking down big goals into smaller, achievable steps, and relying on the support of my colleagues and mentors. Staying motivated also meant reminding myself of the potential impact my research could have on patients’ lives, which kept me focused during difficult moments.
3. As an author, what aspects of a journal do you value the most when choosing a journal in which to publish your academic work?
When selecting a journal, I value scientific rigor, transparency in the peer-review process, and a readership that aligns with the scope of my research. I also appreciate journals that foster open access and broad dissemination, making scientific discoveries more widely available to both researchers and clinicians. Additionally, a constructive and fair review process is crucial, as it contributes to improving the quality and clarity of the final manuscript.
4. What is your current research interest, and how do you plan to continue building on your research in the future? What are your long-term career aspirations?
Currently, I am continuing to investigate the role of the tumor-associated microbiome in modulating the efficacy of cancer therapies, with a focus on chemotherapy and immunotherapy. I aim to integrate microbiology, genomics, and immunology to identify microbiome-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies that could be translated into clinical applications. In the long term, my aspiration is to build an independent research program at the intersection of oncology and microbiome science, contributing to precision medicine approaches that improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
I feel deeply honored and grateful to receive this recognition. It is both a personal milestone and a tribute to the collaborative effort behind my PhD. I would like to thank my mentors, especially Prof. Maria Rescigno, for their guidance and inspiration, as well as my colleagues and collaborators for their invaluable support. Above all, I am grateful to my family and my partner for their constant encouragement throughout this journey. This award reinforces my motivation to continue pursuing research with the hope of making a meaningful impact in cancer care.
