Luca Falzone
Keywords
Epigenetics; Translational Oncology; Drug Resistance; Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Prognosis; microRNAs; Liquid Biopsy; droplet digital PCR
Luca Falzone is an Assistant Professor in Laboratory Medicine Techniques (MEDS-26/A) at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania.
He earned his Ph.D. (with distinction) in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences – Translational Oncology curriculum, a Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnology (with honors), a First-Level Master’s in Biomolecular Techniques, and a Second-Level Master’s in Bioinformatics (with honors), all from the University of Catania.
At the University of Catania, he leads the research group "Cancer Epigenetics and Biomarker Discovery", focusing on the development of innovative diagnostic methodologies and the study of epigenetic mechanisms involved in tumor development, with particular attention to drug resistance and personalized oncology. From 2017 to 2023, he was a researcher at the National Cancer Institute IRCCS “G. Pascale” Foundation in Naples, where he investigated the role of microRNAs and DNA methylation in tumor development and progression, as well as their use as early biomarkers for various cancers. Over the years, he has established numerous national and international collaborations, working on the development of novel computational and experimental strategies for the identification and validation of biomarkers from liquid biopsy samples.
He is the Principal Investigator of several competitive research projects focused on epigenetic biomarkers, liquid biopsy, tumor organoids, and mechanisms of chemoresistance.
His research has been presented at numerous international scientific conferences and has received several awards and honors, including the "Cecilia Cioffrese - Oncology 2022" Award from the Carlo Erba Foundation and the "Positive Droplet Award" in the category “miRNA detection and quantification” from Bio-Rad Laboratories for his innovative studies on microRNA identification in liquid biopsy samples.
Finally, he is the author of over 135 publications in indexed international scientific journals, with an h-index of 54 (Scopus) and more than 19,000 total citations.
(Last Update: May 5, 2026)
CURRENT POSITION
Since 2024, Fixed-Term Researcher (RTD-B) in Laboratory Medicine (MEDS-26/A) at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy, where he also leads the “Cancer Epigenetics and Biomarker Discovery” research group.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- 2025: Specialization in Medical Genetics (70/70 cum laude), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Decoding Chemoresistance Signatures in Colorectal Cancer by Integrating Genetic and Transcriptomic Analyses”.
- 2024: Second-level University Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics (110/110 cum laude), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Identification of 5-Fluorouracil Drug Resistance Mechanisms in Colorectal Cancer using Omics Technologies and Bioinformatics”.
- 2021: PhD in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences (with merit), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Identification and Validation of DNA Methylation Hotspots as Biomarkers for Cutaneous Melanoma”.
- 2018: Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnology (110/110 cum laude), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 as a Candidate Marker in Melanoma Patients Harboring Circulating-Free DNA BRAFV600E Mutation”.
- 2015: First-level University Master’s Degree in Biomolecular Analysis (110/110 cum laude), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Intragenic hypermethylation is associated with increased expression levels of MMP-9 in melanoma cell lines”.
- 2014: Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques (110/110 cum laude), University of Catania, Italy. Thesis: “Analysis of BCL-2 gene rearrangement in pesticide-exposed workers”.
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2017–2023: Contract Researcher, National Cancer Institute IRCCS Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy.
- 2022–2023: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
- 2016–2017: Researcher, Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer (LILT), Catania, Italy.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Luca Falzone is a Fixed-Term Researcher (RTD-B) in Laboratory Medicine (MEDS-26/A) at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania. From 2017 to 2023, he worked as a researcher at the National Cancer Institute IRCCS Fondazione “G. Pascale” in Naples. Since 2019, he has led the “Cancer Epigenetics and Biomarker Discovery” research group at the University of Catania, where his work focuses on developing innovative diagnostic methods in oncology and investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development through bioinformatics and experimental biotechnological approaches.
Throughout his research career, he has established productive collaborations with researchers at national and international institutions, focusing on the role of epigenetic modifications in human cancer. In this field, he has developed new computational and molecular approaches to identify epigenetic alterations and assess DNA methylation and microRNA expression levels associated with the development and progression of various cancers (Spoto G et al., BBA Rev Cancer 2026; Longo F et al., Noncoding RNA Res 2025; Gattuso G et al., IJMS 2025; Falzone L et al., Cancers 2020).
More recently, his research has focused on identifying factors associated with drug resistance in human cancers and developing new therapeutic strategies to optimize integrated oncology treatment protocols (Salemi R et al., J Transl Med 2023; Candido S et al., Pharmaceutics 2022; Falzone L et al., Front Pharmacol 2018). He is currently conducting drug-screening studies to assess the efficacy of different chemotherapeutic agents in advanced in vitro models (tumor organoids), with the aim of optimizing current treatment protocols and personalizing patient care. This work attracted the attention of the journal Cell, which commissioned a Snapshot on chemotherapeutic agents currently used in cancer treatment (Falzone L et al., Cell 2023).
Overall, his research has resulted in more than 135 scientific publications in international indexed journals and has received awards and recognition from prestigious national and international institutions.
GRANTS AND FUNDING
- 2026–2028: Principal Investigator of the research project “Development of RNA-Based Therapeutic Vaccines for the Treatment of MSI-H Colorectal Cancer: Preclinical MIRVAX-CRC Study”, funded with €70,000 under the LILT 2024 Health Research Call, promoted by the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer through the 2023 5 per mille funding programme.
- 2026–2027: Principal Investigator of the project “Impact of Diet and Physical Exercise on ESR1 Alterations and Endocrine Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer: Evidence from the DEDiCa Study – IDEARE-ESR1”, funded with €25,000 through the national competitive Gilead Fellowship Program 2025.
- 2024–2026: Principal Investigator of the research project “Identification of Epigenetic Biomarkers and Investigation of Chemoresistance Mechanisms in Oral and Colorectal Cancer through Liquid Biopsy and Tumor Organoids – BioEpiRes”, funded with €23,750 under Line 1, Collaborative Research Projects, PIA.CE.RI 2020/2022, University of Catania.
- 2024–2026: Principal Investigator of the research project “Molecular Determinants of Chemotherapy Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Organoids”, Line 3, Starting Grant, PIA.CE.RI 2020/2022, University of Catania.
- 2024–2026: Principal Investigator of the research project “Identification of Cancer Risk in Individuals with a Family History of Colon and Breast Cancer: ‘Predict’ Pilot Study”, 2023 Health Research Programme of the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer, 2023 5 per mille funding programme.
- 2019–2021: Principal Investigator of the research project “Epigenetic Biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma: Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of DNA Methylation Hotspots”, 2018 Health Research Programme of the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer, 2016 5 per mille funding programme.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- 2024: “Cancers 2024 Travel Award”, awarded by the international scientific journal Cancers (MDPI) to support the dissemination of scientific findings at international scientific conferences.
- 2024: Member of the Italian Society for Translational Research and Health Professions (Società Italiana Ricerca Traslazionale e Professioni Sanitarie), as a Fixed-Term Researcher (RTD-B) in the MEDS-26/A academic disciplinary sector (formerly MED/46).
- 2024: “Best Presentation Award” for the oral presentation “In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG”, awarded by the Southern Italy Oncology Group (GOIM) at the 26th GOIM National Meeting, “The Current and the Future of the Landscape of Cancer: Management, Research and Treatment”, 13–15 June 2024, Catania, Italy.
- 2023: “Cecilia Cioffrese Award – Oncological Diseases 2022”, awarded by the Carlo Erba Foundation for innovative cancer research.
- 2023: “IJMS 2022 Young Investigator Award”, awarded by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- 2021: “Positive Droplet Award” in the “miRNA Detection and Quantification” category, awarded by Bio-Rad for innovative research on liquid biopsy samples and the identification of microRNAs as biomarkers for human cancers.
- 2021: “Cancers 2019 Best Paper Award” for the article “Gut Microbiota and Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Therapy”, published in the international scientific journal Cancers (MDPI).
- 2019: “Best Presentation Award 2019” for the oral presentation “Identification of Pro-Inflammatory microRNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for Oral Cancer”, at the 24th World Congress on Advances in Oncology and 24th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine, Sparta, Greece, 10–12 October 2019.
- 2019: Honorary Member of the Dermatologists Association of Moldova (ADEM), an award presented at the international conference “Iasi Dermatological Spring – Dermatology Borderline with Other Specialties – PDI 2019”, Iași, Romania, 10–14 April 2019.
- 2018: “SIPMeT Young Investigator Award”, awarded by the Italian Society of Pathology and Translational Medicine (SIPMeT) for the research study “MMP-9 as a Prognostic Marker in Melanoma Patients with Circulating-Free DNA BRAFV600E Mutation”, at the 4th SIPMeL National Congress and 34th SIPMeT National Congress, Catania, Italy, 23–25 October 2018.
- Since 2018: Member of the Italian Society of Pathology and Translational Medicine (SIPMeT).
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Reviewer of international research projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF), the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), and the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS).
- Editorial Board Member of more than 10 indexed international scientific journals and Guest Editor of more than 25 Special Issues on translational oncology and epigenetics. He has also reviewed more than 350 scientific articles for prestigious journals, including Nature Communications, Cancer Communications, Cell Death & Disease, Journal of Translational Medicine, Theranostics, and Gut Microbes.
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Catania Metropolitan Association of the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer (LILT Catania).
- Third-party research contract (€60,000 + VAT) awarded by Dicofarm S.p.A. for the study “Proteomic Characterization and Molecular Assessment of the Antitumor Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Advanced Preclinical Models”.
- Third-party research contract (€15,245.90 + VAT) awarded by the University Hospital “Policlinico G. Martino” of Messina for the study “Identification and Validation of Epigenetic and Transcriptional Signatures Associated with Breast Cancer in Healthcare Personnel Working Night Shifts” (contract signed on 10 July 2025).
PUBLICATIONS AND BIBLIOMETRIC INDICATORS
Number of publications: 136 (Scopus)
H-index: 57 (Scopus)
Total citations: 26,290 (Scopus)
The complete publication list is available through the author’s Scopus profile:
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57057684700
His research activities are focused on the development of innovative diagnostic methodologies in oncology and the study of molecular mechanisms underlying neoplastic transformation. Throughout his career, he has established productive collaborations with numerous national and international research institutions, particularly exploring the role of epigenetic modifications in human cancer development. In this context, he has developed novel computational and molecular approaches for the identification of epigenetic alterations and the assessment of DNA methylation and microRNA expression levels associated with cancer progression (Gattuso G et al., IJMS 2024; Crimi S et al., Biology 2020; Falzone L et al., Cancers 2020; Candido S et al., Oncol Rep 2019; Falzone L et al., Cancers 2019; Falzone L et al., Aging-US 2018).
More recently, his research has expanded to the identification of factors associated with cancer drug resistance and the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at optimizing integrated cancer care protocols (Salemi R et al., J Transl Med 2023; Candido S et al., Pharmaceutics 2022; Falzone L et al., Front Pharmacol 2018). He is currently engaged in drug screening studies to evaluate the efficacy of various chemotherapeutic agents using advanced in vitro models (tumor organoids) with the goal of improving and personalizing current cancer therapies. His work in this area has attracted the interest of the journal Cell, which commissioned him to edit a Snapshot on chemotherapeutic agents currently used in oncology (Falzone L et al., Cell 2023).
Luca Falzone is a Member of the Executive Board of the Metropolitan Association of Catania of the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer (LILT) and a member of the Academic Board of the PhD Program in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences. He also serves as a reviewer of international research projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF), the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), and the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS). Additionally, he is a member of the editorial board and a peer reviewer for numerous indexed international journals.