CURRENT POSITION:
Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
Medical Oncologist at the Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Ferrara.
QUALIFICATIONS:
29/03/2004 Degree in Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo.
2005 License for practice of Medicine, University of Palermo.
13/11/2008 Specialty in Oncology, University of Palermo.
23/04/2012 PhD (Doctor Europeus) in Clinical and Applied Experimental Oncology, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo.
PAST POSITIONS:
December 2011 – January 2016, Post-Doc at the Department of Surgical and Oncology Sciences, University of Palermo.
May 2016 – December 2021, Staff Oncologist at the Oncology Unit of IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo studio e la cura dei tumori “Dino Amadori”, Meldola.
December 2021 – February 2024, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
May 2022 – February 2024, Staff Physician at Department of Services and Technology of the IRCCS Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura degli Anziani (INRCA), Ancona.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
2013 - 2016, Member of the Committee of Clinical Oncology of the School of Medicine, University of Palermo.
2010 – 2014, Lecturer of Medical Oncology for General Practitioner School, Sicily.
2014 – 2015, Lecturer of the 2nd level Master in “Diagnosis and treatment of rare and ereditary-familial tumors of the adult”, University of Palermo.
2017, Lecturer of the 1st level Master in “Expert in Promotion of Health and Well-being”, University of Ferrara.
2022 – 2024, Member of PhD School in "Human Health", Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching Clinical Pathology in Laboratory Medicine course of the School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching Clinical Pathology in Hygiene, Prevention, Pathology course of the School of Dietetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching General Pathophysiology in General Pathology course of the School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching in the course “Knowledge and interpretation of the main laboratory tests” of the School of Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2024 – Present, Professor teaching “Oncological problems of physiotherapeutic interest” in the course Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in the cardio-respiratory and visceral fields of the School of Physiotherapy, University of Ferrara.
2024 – Present, Professor teaching in the optional course “Innovation and digitalization in oncology” of the School of Medicine, University of Ferrara.
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
Quality Manager of the Phase 1 Oncology-Rheumatology Clinical Unit at the University Hospital of Ferrara.
Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM)
• Since 2005 Member
• Since 2013 to 2017 Regional Councilor for Sicily
• Since 2019 to 2023 Regional Councilor for Emilia-Romagna
European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)
• Since 2013 Member
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
• Since 2022 Member
Società Italiana di Patologia e Medicina Traslazionale (SIPMeT)
• Since 2021 Member
EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
Member of the Editorial Board for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
- Journal of Clinical Medicine – Section Oncology
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences – Section Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics
- SM Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Precision Cancer Medicine
Guest Editor for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
- Frontiers in Oncology
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Reviewer for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
BMC Cancer, BMC Genomics, BMJ Open, Cancer Letters, Cells, Clinical Breast Cancer, Clinical Medicine Insights: Oncology, Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, Current Oncology, Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Frontiers in Oncology, Heliyon, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory Investigation, Molecular Cancer, Pharmacogenomics Journal, Scientific Reports, The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Translational Lung Cancer Research, Cancer Reports, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Frontiers in Immunology.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Publications:
120 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, H-index = 32, Citations: 3395 (23 January 2025, Scopus) and 7 book chapters.
Main Research Projects:
2014, Scholarship Winner at AIOM Foundation for the study “Clinical applicability of liquid biopsy in the management of non-small cell lung cancer patients”.
2020 – 2021, Medical Chief Investigator of the translational study: "Real-World usefulness of liquid biopsy in advanced NSCLC patients" - Protocol Code: IRSTB102 (Identifier Co-de: L3P2059), at IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori" (IRST), Meldola.
2021, Medical Chief Investigator of the translational study: “Molecular Identification of small-Cell lung cancer (SCLC) subtypes to Refine the treatment decision-making by Oncologists: 1st wide-spread analysis in SCLC patients from Area Vasta Romagna (AVR).” - Protocol Code: IRSTB128 (IRST Identifier Code: L3P2578), at IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori" (IRST), Meldola.
2022 – 2023, Chief Investigator of the project “The molecular identification and characterization of CSCs in malignant mesothelioma” at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Chief Investigator of the project “Mesothelioma stem cell identification”, at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2023 – 2024, Chief Investigator of the project “Study of cellular behavior in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition”, at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2021 – 2024, Chief Investigator of the translational project “Epigenetic memory in peripheral immune cells and exosomes as a biomarker of silent chronic inflammation in the risk of chronic-degenerative diseases”, for the Foundation of Molecular Medicine and Cellular Therapy.
2024 – Present, Co-Principal Investigator of the study “Translational Observational study of Predictive biomarkers for Immunotherapy of Cancer (TOPIC)”, at Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Ferrara.
Main Research Topics in Clinical and Translational Oncology:
- Predictive biomarkers of efficacy and toxicity of cancer immunotherapy
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms in the biology and treatment of pleural mesothelioma
- Predictive role of myeloid suppressor cells in the treatment of lung tumors
- Liquid biopsy for monitoring nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in oncogene-addicted lung tumors
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a mechanism of resistance to therapy of lung tumors.
Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
Medical Oncologist at the Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Ferrara.
QUALIFICATIONS:
29/03/2004 Degree in Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo.
2005 License for practice of Medicine, University of Palermo.
13/11/2008 Specialty in Oncology, University of Palermo.
23/04/2012 PhD (Doctor Europeus) in Clinical and Applied Experimental Oncology, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo.
PAST POSITIONS:
December 2011 – January 2016, Post-Doc at the Department of Surgical and Oncology Sciences, University of Palermo.
May 2016 – December 2021, Staff Oncologist at the Oncology Unit of IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo studio e la cura dei tumori “Dino Amadori”, Meldola.
December 2021 – February 2024, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
May 2022 – February 2024, Staff Physician at Department of Services and Technology of the IRCCS Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura degli Anziani (INRCA), Ancona.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
2013 - 2016, Member of the Committee of Clinical Oncology of the School of Medicine, University of Palermo.
2010 – 2014, Lecturer of Medical Oncology for General Practitioner School, Sicily.
2014 – 2015, Lecturer of the 2nd level Master in “Diagnosis and treatment of rare and ereditary-familial tumors of the adult”, University of Palermo.
2017, Lecturer of the 1st level Master in “Expert in Promotion of Health and Well-being”, University of Ferrara.
2022 – 2024, Member of PhD School in "Human Health", Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching Clinical Pathology in Laboratory Medicine course of the School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching Clinical Pathology in Hygiene, Prevention, Pathology course of the School of Dietetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching General Pathophysiology in General Pathology course of the School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Professor teaching in the course “Knowledge and interpretation of the main laboratory tests” of the School of Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2024 – Present, Professor teaching “Oncological problems of physiotherapeutic interest” in the course Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in the cardio-respiratory and visceral fields of the School of Physiotherapy, University of Ferrara.
2024 – Present, Professor teaching in the optional course “Innovation and digitalization in oncology” of the School of Medicine, University of Ferrara.
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
Quality Manager of the Phase 1 Oncology-Rheumatology Clinical Unit at the University Hospital of Ferrara.
Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM)
• Since 2005 Member
• Since 2013 to 2017 Regional Councilor for Sicily
• Since 2019 to 2023 Regional Councilor for Emilia-Romagna
European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)
• Since 2013 Member
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
• Since 2022 Member
Società Italiana di Patologia e Medicina Traslazionale (SIPMeT)
• Since 2021 Member
EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
Member of the Editorial Board for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
- Journal of Clinical Medicine – Section Oncology
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences – Section Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics
- SM Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Precision Cancer Medicine
Guest Editor for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
- Frontiers in Oncology
- Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Reviewer for international peer-reviewed scientific journals:
BMC Cancer, BMC Genomics, BMJ Open, Cancer Letters, Cells, Clinical Breast Cancer, Clinical Medicine Insights: Oncology, Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, Current Oncology, Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Frontiers in Oncology, Heliyon, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory Investigation, Molecular Cancer, Pharmacogenomics Journal, Scientific Reports, The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Translational Lung Cancer Research, Cancer Reports, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Frontiers in Immunology.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Publications:
120 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, H-index = 32, Citations: 3395 (23 January 2025, Scopus) and 7 book chapters.
Main Research Projects:
2014, Scholarship Winner at AIOM Foundation for the study “Clinical applicability of liquid biopsy in the management of non-small cell lung cancer patients”.
2020 – 2021, Medical Chief Investigator of the translational study: "Real-World usefulness of liquid biopsy in advanced NSCLC patients" - Protocol Code: IRSTB102 (Identifier Co-de: L3P2059), at IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori" (IRST), Meldola.
2021, Medical Chief Investigator of the translational study: “Molecular Identification of small-Cell lung cancer (SCLC) subtypes to Refine the treatment decision-making by Oncologists: 1st wide-spread analysis in SCLC patients from Area Vasta Romagna (AVR).” - Protocol Code: IRSTB128 (IRST Identifier Code: L3P2578), at IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori" (IRST), Meldola.
2022 – 2023, Chief Investigator of the project “The molecular identification and characterization of CSCs in malignant mesothelioma” at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2022 – 2023, Chief Investigator of the project “Mesothelioma stem cell identification”, at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2023 – 2024, Chief Investigator of the project “Study of cellular behavior in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition”, at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona.
2021 – 2024, Chief Investigator of the translational project “Epigenetic memory in peripheral immune cells and exosomes as a biomarker of silent chronic inflammation in the risk of chronic-degenerative diseases”, for the Foundation of Molecular Medicine and Cellular Therapy.
2024 – Present, Co-Principal Investigator of the study “Translational Observational study of Predictive biomarkers for Immunotherapy of Cancer (TOPIC)”, at Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Ferrara.
Main Research Topics in Clinical and Translational Oncology:
- Predictive biomarkers of efficacy and toxicity of cancer immunotherapy
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms in the biology and treatment of pleural mesothelioma
- Predictive role of myeloid suppressor cells in the treatment of lung tumors
- Liquid biopsy for monitoring nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in oncogene-addicted lung tumors
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a mechanism of resistance to therapy of lung tumors.
