Prof. ELISA ORICCHIO

Elisa Oricchio is an internationally recognized cancer biologist whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of cancer genomics, tumor suppressor mechanisms, and the functional organization of the genome in three-dimensional space. Currently Associate Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Director of the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), she leads a research program at the interface of basic discovery and translational medicine, with a focus on hematologic malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her laboratory combines high-resolution genomic mapping, genome editing, advanced imaging, and computational modelling to uncover how genetic alterations reshape chromatin architecture and reprogram gene expression to drive cancer development. This integrative approach has yielded new therapeutic targets and strategies, directly influencing translational cancer research in Switzerland and internationally.

One of Oricchio’s landmark contributions is the discovery of the tumor-suppressive role of the soluble receptor EphA7 in follicular lymphoma. Her work demonstrated that approximately 70 percent of patients with this disease lack EphA7 expression and that restoring its function in preclinical models triggers apoptosis in tumor cells. This finding revealed a completely new mechanism for targeting lymphoma and opened the door to therapeutic development aimed at restoring or mimicking EphA7 activity. The impact of this work was recognized with prestigious honors, including the Lorini Foundation Award and the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists.

At EPFL, Oricchio has expanded her research to investigate the role of 3D genome organization in cancer. Her group has shown how mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes, notably recurrent EZH2 mutations, alter long-range chromatin interactions and gene regulation, ultimately driving oncogenesis. By integrating Hi-C and other chromosome conformation capture technologies with CRISPR-mediated functional screens, her lab has been able to pinpoint critical genomic hubs that serve as regulatory nodes in tumor cells. These studies not only advance the basic understanding of genome topology but also identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited therapeutically.

Her research has also made key contributions to the field of tumor immunology. In 2020, Oricchio’s team uncovered a mechanism by which the protease cathepsin S enables tumor immune evasion in non-Hodgkin lymphoma by altering antigen presentation pathways. The group developed an innovative antibody–peptide conjugate inhibitor of cathepsin S that restored antigen presentation, enhanced CD8+ T-cell recognition, and promoted tumor rejection in preclinical models. This work exemplifies her lab’s translational philosophy: to move from mechanistic insight to therapeutic strategy. It is now being further developed with support from EPFL’s translational innovation programs.

Oricchio’s broader scientific agenda includes high-throughput functional screening to identify genes that serve as either biomarkers or direct therapeutic targets, the creation of patient-derived tumor models for drug testing, and the systematic study of how genetic and epigenetic changes intersect with the tumor microenvironment to influence therapeutic response. She has been an advocate for integrating large-scale genomic data with functional assays to prioritize the most clinically relevant targets for precision oncology.

In addition to her scientific achievements, Oricchio has played an important role in shaping cancer research policy and fostering collaborative networks. She is a board member of the European Association for Cancer Research and has served on the executive committee of the Swiss National Initiative on Personalized Health and Related Technologies. At ISREC and the Swiss Cancer Center Léman, she has been instrumental in building cross-institutional platforms that connect basic researchers, clinicians, and industry partners, thereby accelerating the translation of discoveries into patient benefit.

Her research has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Prix Leenaards for Translational Research and, most recently, the 2024 Pezcoller Foundation–EACR Translational Cancer Researcher Award, which honors excellence in bringing basic scientific discoveries toward clinical application. These honors reflect not only her specific scientific contributions but also her broader impact on the field through mentorship, leadership, and advocacy for translational cancer science.

Through her leadership at EPFL and ISREC, Oricchio continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in cancer research. Her ability to integrate experimental and computational methods, to bridge the gap between genomics and therapy, and to focus on patient-relevant outcomes has made her a leading figure in European oncology. Her work is characterized by a consistent emphasis on understanding cancer at the molecular and structural level and by a commitment to transforming that understanding into new therapies that can be tested in clinical settings.

Today, Elisa Oricchio stands at the forefront of translational oncology, directing innovative research programs that connect the architecture of the cancer genome to its vulnerabilities. Her contributions—from the discovery of EphA7’s tumor-suppressive role to the targeting of immune-evasion pathways—have reshaped the understanding of lymphoma biology and continue to inspire new therapeutic strategies. By combining scientific rigor with a collaborative, translational mindset, she has established herself as one of Europe’s most influential cancer researchers, advancing both knowledge and the prospect of more effective, personalized treatments for patients.

See below the link to her Lab at EPFL