Matthew Scarpelli
Title:
Assistant Professor
PhD Granting Institution:
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Contact:
Email Address: mscarpel@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-496-0870
Lab Website Link: https://hhs.purdue.edu/scarpellilab/
Primary Training Group:
Cancer Biology
Secondary Training Groups:
Biotechnology, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Current Projects:
Area 1) Investigating the role of the immune system in the biological response to radiation. There is increasing evidence that radiotherapy stimulates the immune system through the release of tumor antigens from dead tumor cells. These antigens are recognized by the immune system, stimulating an immune response against residual tumor cells and in rare cases distant metastases through the abscopal effect. However, these responses are not fully understood and distant metastatic responses to localized radiotherapy are exceedingly rare. Investigating this phenomenon and leveraging it to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy is a guiding principle of the lab. Area 2) Establishing imaging biomarkers of the immune system. There is no established clinical method for measuring immune responses in tumors or specific organs. Due to the dynamic nature of the immune system, conventional tissue biomarkers derived at a single timepoint (e.g., tissue biopsies), generally do not provide reliable measures of the immune system. Furthermore, conventional imaging methods, often used to track changes in tumor size, are insensitive to the immune system and its effects on the tumor. Dr. Matthew Scarpelli’s lab prioritizes development of molecular PET and MR imaging techniques that are sensitive to these effects and could be used as subjective measurements of immune response. Area 3) Development of image-guided radio and immunotherapies. Dr. Scarpelli’s laboratory seeks to expand image-guidance in radiotherapy to include immunogenic targeting and adaptive therapy. This is accomplished through translational studies and collaborations with various medical centers.