Philadelphia, PA â May 19, 2025 â The prevalence and severity of rheumatic adverse reactions in cancer immunotherapy is significantly underestimated, due to the lack of standardized screening protocols for malignancies in patients with autoimmune disorders. In response to the need for data collection and diagnostic criteria, researchers have developed a trans-disciplinary approach to safeguard those patients at risk. The paper, âOnco-Rheumatology: from rags to riches, a trans-disciplinary evolution,â published in Rheumatology Advances in Practice emphasizes the critical intersection of oncology and rheumatology, and the emerging field now identified as onco-rheumatology. Senior author Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Director and Founder of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) and Professor at Temple University coordinates a team of frequent research collaborators including Canio Martinelli, M.D., OB/GYN and lead of the Women’s Health Research and Innovation Program at SHRO, Luigi Pirtoli, M.D., SHRO, and members of the Italian College of Rheumatology (CReI) including lead author ââDaniela Marotto, Rheumatologist and President of the CReI. The authors call for integrated medical strategies to address the growing number of patients with both cancer and autoimmune conditions. With global populations aging rapidly and cancer and autoimmune diseases on the rise, the traditional âsingle-diseaseâ models are failing. The complexity of managing patients with overlapping oncologic and rheumatologic conditions is compounded by emerging treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which, while revolutionary for cancer therapy, can trigger immune-related adverse effects that often remain undiagnosed or misattributed. âThe time for siloed thinking in medicine is over,â says Giordano. âThe multifaceted interactions between tumors, the immune system, and rheumatic disease requires a new model of care.â âWe are seeing patients with increasingly complex needs that defy conventional clinical frameworks,â says Martinelli. âOnco-rheumatology is progressing from a niche issue to a frontline challenge. Our goal is to change how we think about and manage these patients across disciplines.â The study traces the history of cancer and rheumatic disease overlap, citing over 9,000 articles in the field but only a single published model of integrated care. The researchers advocate for transdisciplinary collaboration among oncologists, rheumatologists, and primary care providers, to accomplish accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and long-term patient outcomes. The newly formed Group of Multidimensional Onco-RhEumatology (G-MORE), an initiative by the Onco-Rheumatology Study Group of the Italian College of Rheumatology (CREI) will spearhead such collaboration. G-MORE aims to provide a scientific foundation for advancing clinical practice in this hybrid field, offering support for research, education, and patient management frameworks. âIsolated specialists working independently cannot achieve the best outcome for these patients,â says Pirtoli. âInstead, the path forward must be paved through institutional partnerships, shared clinical pathways, and systems that prioritize patients as whole individuals rather than as isolated diagnoses.â The emerging standards of care in onco-rheumatology could significantly redefine how medicine approaches overlapping chronic illnesses in an age of increasingly personalized medicine and precision-based care.
Category: Post & News
SHRO, Fondazione Toffa e NOA insieme per un mondo pulito
SHRO protagonista a âBella Italia, Regione Campaniaâ: due giorni di impegno per ambiente, salute e solidarietĂ Il 24 e 25 maggio 2025, Piedimonte Matese (CE) ospiterĂ l’evento âBella Italia, Regione Campaniaâ, promosso dalla Regione Campania in collaborazione con la Fondazione Nadia Toffa, il NOA â Nucleo Operativo Ambientale e numerose associazioni di volontariato. L’iniziativa vedrĂ la partecipazione attiva della Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), con l’intervento del Prof. Antonio Giordano, fondatore e direttore della fondazione, e il riconoscimento del nostro impegno attraverso un premio conferito durante la manifestazione. Il contributo del Prof. Antonio Giordano Durante il convegno âAmbiente e Tumoriâ, che si terrĂ il 25 maggio presso il Museo Civico Sveva Sanseverino â Chiostro San Domenico, il Prof. Antonio Giordano condividerĂ le sue competenze sui legami tra inquinamento ambientale e incidenza tumorale. Il suo intervento evidenzierĂ l’importanza della prevenzione e della ricerca scientifica per affrontare le sfide sanitarie legate all’ambiente. SHRO tra i premiati Nel corso dell’evento, saranno riconosciuti gli sforzi di diverse realtĂ impegnate nel benessere collettivo. Oltre alla Fondazione Nadia Toffa, alla Fondazione NOA, all’Ospedale Pascale e alla Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori (LILT), anche la nostra fondazione, SHRO, riceverĂ un premio per il suo costante impegno nella ricerca e nella promozione della salute pubblica. Un evento di rilevanza âBella Italia, Regione Campaniaâ rappresenta un momento significativo di riflessione e confronto su tematiche cruciali per la societĂ . La partecipazione di esperti, istituzioni e cittadini sottolinea l’importanza della collaborazione per costruire un futuro piĂč sano e sostenibile.
We Are Hiring!
We are looking for Scientific Meetings and Fund-Raising Coordinator for the Sbarro Health Research Organization in Philadelphia. Qualifications Responsible for: Assist with the ongoing lobbying efforts to secure additional funding from new and current benefactors. Play a key role in planning and coordinating scientific conferences and high-profile fundraising events, here in Philadelphia and the European Union. Organize the annual SHRO Scientific Conference at the Washington D.C National Italian American Foundation. Provide administrative support by managing guest interactions, scheduling conference appointments, and organizing conference program details. Provide ongoing support to the SHRO Research Team, including research material, scientific publications, and program schedules. The institution will provide: Health Insurance, two weeksâ vacation and a $65,000 annual salary and an annual salary increase of 3%. Contact: Manuela Tchamou at [email protected] Antonio Giordano at [email protected]
From Bench to Bedside: Our Review on the Translational Power of Liquid Biopsy
Philadelphia, PA â 08 May 2025 â A landmark review, now published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, offers a sweeping and authoritative synthesis on the use of liquid biopsy in gynecological oncology placing this emerging tool at the forefront of precision medicine for women. Led by Professor Antonio Giordano, President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) and molecular oncologist at Temple University and the University of Siena, the study lays out a rigorous translational roadmap to bridge cutting-edge molecular diagnostics with real-world clinical application. The article, titled “Liquid biopsy in gynecological cancers: a translational framework from molecular insights to precision oncology and clinical practice,” presents a decisive shift from mere technical exploration to clinically actionable guidance. It systematically addresses how liquid biopsy, through circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), tumor-educated platelets, microRNAs, and extracellular vesicles, can revolutionize the diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic tailoring of endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers. A Translational Vision What distinguishes this review is its explicit focus on translational relevance. It does not limit itself to theoretical or laboratory insights. Rather, it rigorously maps fourteen critical fields of inquiry from assay design and biomarker validation to clinical endpoints and cost-effectiveness with a central aim: enabling reliable, standardized integration of liquid biopsy into routine oncology care. The authors argue that liquid biopsy is not merely an innovation in biomarker detection, it is a methodological bridge that aligns molecular biology with patient-centered care. This is especially vital in gynecological cancers, where the heterogeneity of disease and anatomical constraints often hinder early diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring. By offering a noninvasive, repeatable, and dynamic window into tumor biology, liquid biopsy has the potential to transform the clinical management of cancers that impact over 1.3 million women in the United States alone. Clinical Impact and Gender Relevance The implications for women’s health are particularly profound. For ovarian cancer, where early-stage detection remains notoriously difficult, liquid biopsy demonstrates up to 90% specificity and increasing sensitivity through combined microRNA and ctDNA panels. In endometrial cancer, personalized ctDNA analysis shows over 87% concordance with traditional tissue-based classification and can predict recurrence several months in advance of clinical imaging. In cervical cancer, circulating HPV DNA and specific serum protein levels such as SCC-Ag and VCAM-1 correlate with prognosis and therapy response, reinforcing the value of plasma-based surveillance. These findings underscore not only the scientific innovation, but the gendered urgency of the work: the application of liquid biopsy in gynecological malignancies is not an abstract advance, but a concrete opportunity to improve survival, reduce diagnostic invasiveness, and individualize treatment for millions of women. Overcoming Barriers, Building Integration Despite its promise, the authors emphasize that liquid biopsy remains underutilized in clinical gynecologic oncology. The review therefore presents detailed considerations to overcome the barriers that prevent translation from the need for FDA-approved multi-analyte assays to standardization of sample handling and AI-driven data interpretation. The article calls for rigorous clinical trials that move beyond biomarker performance in advanced disease, toward validation in early-stage settings and population-level screening. Particular attention is paid to the integration of fragmentomics, methylomics, and machine learning in refining diagnostic precision. A Message from SHRO Leadership âThis work is a testament to the potential of translational science to serve not only innovation, but people,â says Professor Antonio Giordano. âLiquid biopsy offers us the unprecedented ability to detect, understand, and treat cancer in real time without waiting for symptoms to emerge or disease to advance. For gynecological cancers, this may well mean the difference between life and loss.â SHRO continues to promote scientific rigor, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered innovation as pillars of its research mission. This publication reflects the organizationâs commitment to translational oncology as a vehicle for equity, efficiency, and excellence in cancer care. *The full review is available open-access at the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. For media inquiries or expert commentary, please contact SHRO at [email protected]. About Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) The Sbarro Health Research Organization conducts groundbreaking research in cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the campus of Temple University, SHROâs programs train young scientists from around the globe, accelerating the pace of health research and innovation.
Rai Interview: Professor Giordano speaks about scientific research today
This interview with Professor Antonio Giordano was originally conducted for Casa Italia, the RAI television program dedicated to Italians living abroad. As an internationally recognized oncologist, molecular biologist, and founder of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), Professor Giordano offers an in-depth analysis of the current state of scientific research in both Italy and the United States. Professor, what is happening in the United States, a country where scientific research has always been one of the fundamental pillars? “In the United States, scientific research has always been one of the main drivers of economic, medical, and technological progress. However, under the current administration, weâve seen a series of cuts and restructurings that have inevitably put pressure on the system, particularly on federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health. That said, itâs also true that these actions, while debatable in academic circles, have shaken up an establishment that was perhaps too self-referential and resistant to change. In a way, the government’s intervention has forced the research system to reexamine itself, seek new models of sustainability, and strengthen public-private collaborations. At SHRO, for example, we are moving forward with even greater determination in independent fundraising and international partnerships, because we believe science must know how to adapt without compromising its integrity. The challenges are many, but sometimes crises open the door to positive transformations”. Will the cuts be across the board? Which sectors are most at risk, and what does it mean for a university or research center to not be able to rely on a stable budget? “When we talk about cuts to research funding, itâs important to understand that they are not always across the board. Some fields, especially those seen as less strategic or less immediately profitable, are at greater risk. Basic research, for instance, is essential but often invisible to the public because its results take longer to emerge. Translational medicine, environmental sciences, and even some areas of the social and behavioral sciences may slow down. Conversely, fields like biotech defense or digital health, closer to industrial or national security interests, may hold up better. For a university or research center, not being able to rely on a stable budget means having to rethink priorities, give up long-term programs, and, more seriously, lose young talent. Those starting a scientific career today need at least a credible outlook, if not certainty. Precarity is not just economic, itâs cultural and professional. Thatâs why we need a strategic vision: investing in science isnât just about funding projects, itâs about building the future. And itâs a shared responsibility among government, institutions, and citizens to ensure research remains a pillar of national growth. Still, Iâm optimistic about the future. The idea that the Trump administration would completely dismantle the research sector, which supports a large part of the American economy, is unrealistic”. In your opinion, is there a risk that science and research could become a battleground for political or ideological conflict? “Unfortunately, yes, there is a real risk that science becomes politicized or ideologically weaponized. Research should be guided by data, evidence, and the collective interest. Yet in recent years, from the pandemic to climate change and now AI, science has increasingly become a target of polarization. When that happens, public trust erodes and the freedom of knowledge is threatened. A concrete example is the recent study by Professor Enrico Bucci, supported by our organization, which documented the spread of AI-generated fake images in scientific publications. Weâre no longer talking about isolated mistakes or fraud; weâre looking at a system that could distort scientific truth itself. And itâs in moments like these that it becomes clear how dangerous it is when politics, instead of promoting transparency and rigor, fuels confusion or discredits experts. Our task today is twofold: defend scienceâs independence from manipulation, and ensure that new technologies like AI are used responsibly, in service of research, not against it”. Scientific research is also an economic pillar of American society. What is its impact on the nationâs economy? “In the U.S., scientific research is not just a driver of medical and technological progress, itâs a key economic engine. Every dollar invested in research generates significant returns in innovation, employment, and global competitiveness. Think of the pharmaceutical industry, biotech, and AI-driven medical technology: all these sectors start in the lab and evolve into companies, patents, startups, and high-skilled jobs. The U.S. system has long followed a virtuous model: public funding for research fuels private enterprise. Academic breakthroughs turn into therapies, devices, software and sometimes entire industries. When research budgets are cut, this whole cycle slows down. Itâs not just a blow to science, itâs a drag on the economy. Thatâs why science must remain a national strategic priority, not a budget line to trim in hard times. I donât believe Trump, whoâs proven himself a savvy businessman, will neglect such a vital sector of the U.S. economy“. What are your thoughts about the new funds garanteed by the Minister Anna Maria Bernini? Youâre now Italo-American working in the U.S., but still maintaining strong professional ties with Italy… “Iâve been fortunate to build a career between the U.S. and Italy, and I can confidently say that my bond with my home country has never wavered. In fact, it has grown stronger over time thanks to ongoing projects and collaborations. Thatâs why I enthusiastically welcome the initiative by Minister Anna Maria Bernini: the âŹ50 million euro plan to encourage the return of Italian researchers is a concrete and meaningful sign of change. Itâs not just about reversing the âbrain drain.â This initiative also focuses on strengthening strategic research infrastructure, those advanced environments and tools that help scientists fully realize their potential. Talent alone isnât enough without cutting-edge labs and technologies. This measure carries double weight: it values human capital and lays the groundwork for Italyâs scientific competitiveness on a global scale. My dream, and the driving force behind my work, is to build bridges between Italy and the U.S., fostering synergy between those… Continue reading Rai Interview: Professor Giordano speaks about scientific research today