Brain metastases are the most common type of brain tumor, mainly originating from primary tumors in the lungs, breast, or skin. Upon tumor progression, increased blood-brain barrier permeability and inflammatory cues lead to leucocyte accumulation in the brain, including monocyte-derived macrophages. Macrophages represent a heterogeneous population, and their functions are associated with their metabolic requirements. Dr. Bastien Dolfi will investigate the tumor microenvironment in brain metastases. He will specifically focus on how tumor cells can sculpt the tumor microenvironment. By combining state-of-the-art imaging techniques, high-dimensional flow cytometry, single-cell metabolism, and sequencing analysis, his goal is to understand how the tumor microenvironment affects immune metabolism. The objective of this research is to develop innovative strategies to unleash the anti-tumoral properties of immune cells through metabolic reprogramming.
Dr. Bastien Dolfi obtained his PhD from the University of Nice, France, under the supervision of Dr. Stoyan Ivanov. During his research, he studied macrophages in various tissues, including the adrenal gland and adipose tissue, and explored their roles in pathologies such as atherosclerosis. Since 2023, he has been a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Prof. Johanna Joyce at the Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, investigating alterations in lipid metabolism in brain malignancies, particularly in myeloid cells.