The unit deals with the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors with specific research programs.

In the field of brain tumors, the study of biopsy surrogate biomarkers as serum miRNA profiles in DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), is ongoing, through a validation cohort in a new parallel clinical  trial (previously granted by AIRC and now by ABG, Fondazione Celeghin, and Il fondo di Giò). 

We are continuing a project investigating the cerebrospinal fluid proteome obtained from central nervous system pediatric tumors using bait loaded hydrogel nanoparticles and mass spectrometry (Health Minister grant, private charity support).  A biomolecular study aiming to compare miRNA profiles and genic expression in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma vs adolescent-young adult RMS (the latter generally characterized by worse prognosis) is ongoing.   

We are developing in cooperation with other Italian Institutions (in the context of AIEOP, Associazione Italiana di Ematologia e Oncologia Pediatrica) an immune-based approach, employing genetically modified T cells, to to specifically target neuroblastoma chimeric proteins (Fondazione Neuroblastoma Grant). 

INT Pediatric Unit, has been identified, together with the twin Pediatric Hemato-oncology Unit in Monza, as a National reference Center for  academic and sponsored phase Pediatric I-II studies.

Most academic trials that are open for first line treatment have also biological studies that are driven in the context of international collaboration with particular emphasis of SIOP (international Society of Pediatric Oncology).