Category: Post & News

XVII Conference of Italian Researchers in the World, 1st April 2023 Post & News admin April 3, 2023 The team of Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) participated in the XVII Conference of Italian Researchers in the World held at the Charles Library of Temple University in Philadelphia (USA) on April 1st, 2023. SHRO is committed to research against cancer, thanks to the experience of professionals in the industry who invest in the training of young researchers. During the conference, scientific and humanistic projects by the best Italian researchers from around the world were discussed. Prominent figures including Provost Gregory Mandel and Vice Provost Global Engagement Temple University Emilia Zankina, the President of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, the Italian Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, the Deputy of the Italian Parliament and Member of Foreign Affairs Commission, Andrea Di Giuseppe, the Consul General of Italy-Philadelphia, Cristiana Mele, Rep. General Council for Italians Abroad, Vincenzo Arcobelli were present, together with SHRO President Dr. Antonio Giordano and Texas Scientific Italian Community (TSIC) Dr. Andrea Giuffrida were among the moderators.In the photo, researcher Francesca Cersosimo presents her project “The investigation of CSF-1R Signaling in Malignant Mesothelioma” born from the collaboration between the University of Siena and SHRO in Philadelphia.Other SHRO researchers involved in various research projects also participated in the conference: Elisa Ventura, “Progranulin modulates RYK and EGFR activity in mesothelioma cells”, Carlotta Nerini “The Sumoylation of pRb2/p130 in Mesothelioma”, Maria Carmen Ragosta, “Identification of new substrates of Ufm1 as potential therapeutic targets”, Reyes Benot Dominguez, the role of IQGAP3 in PGRN-dependent cell motility in bladder cancer: a study of the PGRN/EphA2 axis”, Sharon Burk, “The Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) complexes in Triple Negative Breast Cancer”, Caterina Tomassetti, “Transcriptomic Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment related pathways in Lung Adenocarcinoma”.As stated by Dr. Andrea Morrione, the Director of the Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Signal Transduction Program at the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, who moderated the STEAM session at the event, “all these projects cover different aspects of cancer research and could provide the identification of novel targets for therapy”.Dedication and passion for research break down geographical and cultural distances with the common goal of finding a cure for cancer and contributing to technological progress. Previous PostNext Post

Top US and Italian Researchers Unite for Cutting-Edge Conference on Medicine, Science, and Technology Hosted by SHRO Post & News admin March 30, 2023 Originally published in Newswise The Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), led by Prof. Antonio Giordano, in collaboration with the Texas Scientific Italian Community (TSIC), led by Prof. Andrea Giuffrida, will present the XVII Conference of Italian Researchers in the World on Saturday, April 1st from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Temple University of Philadelphia.Forty speakers will address the conference, including welcomes and institutional greetings, a discussion of the role of the Associations of Italian researchers in the world, and topics on Aerospace, Medicine, Physics, Technological innovations, artificial intelligence, Robotics, natural sciences, bio and nanotechnologies, engineering, energy, and humanities.In attendance, Gregory N. Mandel, Provost of Temple University, Laura H. Carnell, Professor of Law, Vice Provost of Global Engagement Emilia Zankina, Cristiana Mele, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, as well as Italians from various fields and occupational backgrounds. The Provost and Vice Provost will be giving their welcoming remarks.The event will also allow participating researchers residing in various parts of the world to be able to connect in VTC and can be followed by the public in live-streaming at the FB address: https://www.facebook.com/TXSIC starting at 0930 EST, 1530 Rome time. In addition, the participants’ research work will be included in a book dedicated to the conference.“I thank my friend Prof. Antonio Giordano, and Temple University for hosting the event,” says  Vincenzo Arcobelli founder and Chairman of the Conference. “For 20 years with Giordano, we have shared ideas, initiatives, such as that of promoting young researchers, bilateral agreements between Italian and American entities, and in having supported him in social, civil, and environmental battles such as that of ‘the land of fires’ in South Italy.”“The continuity and participation of speakers from various parts of the world represent a concrete way of increasing the networking of researchers and due recognition, to make people understand at all levels and sectors that the community of Italian researchers in the world is a great resource for Italy,” concludes Arcobelli.About the Sbarro Health Research Organization The Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) is a non-profit charity committed to funding excellence in basic genetic research to cure and diagnose cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and to foster the training of young doctors in a spirit of professionalism and humanism. To learn more about the SHRO please visit www.shro.org. Previous PostNext Post

Italia-Usa, AmCham and Consul with successful companies Post & News admin March 13, 2023 Originally published in Il Mattino AmCham meets successful companies with ties to the United States, together with Consul Tracy Roberts-Pounds. The event was organized by Dr. Massimo Petrone, responsible for the Chamber in Campania. Among the participants were Angela Natale, national vice president for the Chamber and head of Boeing for Italy and Southern Europe; Costanzo Jannotti Pecci, president of the Naples Industrial Union; Giancarlo Arra, vice president of the Sbarro Health Research Organization; Antonio Giacomini, CEO of Innovaway; Consul for Political, Economic, and Commercial Affairs Charles Lobdel; Giuseppe Alfano of Tres Energia; Guido Bourelly of Bourelly Group; Umberto Caccioppoli of Fides; Giancarlo Carriero of Hotel Regina Isabella; Giuseppe Esposito of EP; Ennio Giardino of Med Caffè; Fulvio Citaredo of Pierrel S.p.A; Davide Rosiello of Biovix; Federico Tammaro, CFO of Cira; Virna Velledo Di Mauro of Packaging; Giovanni Capilongo of Hotel Le Agavi in Positano; Guido Fiorentino of Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento; and Caterina Meglio of Materials. This initiative brought together leaders of successful companies with an interest in the United States, providing an opportunity to share ideas and build relationships. Consul Tracy Roberts-Pounds was on hand to support these efforts and foster stronger ties between Italy and the United States. Previous PostNext Post

SHRO’s Giordano to Speak at Virtual Workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Post & News admin March 7, 2023 Artificial Intelligence and NGS Integrated into the Next Generation Tissue Microarrays (TMA) Workshop Originally published in Newswise Newswise — March 7, 2023, Philadelphia – Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), is scheduled to speak at a virtual workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine.  Event Details 7TH IN PERSON or VIRTUAL WORKSHOP ON “Artificial intelligence and NGS integrated into the next generation Tissue Microarrays (TMA)”  MARCH 7TH 2023, 9 AM -5 PM DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT Artificial intelligence and NGS integrated into the next generation Tissue Microarrays PLEAS REGISTER AT THE LINK: https://lnkd.in/ennhsFsW  The workshop will focus on AI and next-generation tissue microarrays (TMA). TMA is a versatile technique with definite clinical and pathological applications. Originally was used in cancer research however its applications are rapidly expanding to non-neoplastic diseases: neurodegenerative, dermatological, cardiac and placental disorders. The new generation of tissue microarrays looks at the benefits of coupling digital pathology in translational research to deliver more efficient and time effective solutions to answer complex clinical and scientific questions. At the core of next generation TMAs is digital pathology and artificial intelligence which allows the identification of specific areas where to focus and better target investigations. The tissue microarray format provides opportunities for digital imaging acquisition, image processing and database integration. Advances in digital imaging help to alleviate previous bottlenecks in the research pipeline, permit computer image scoring and convey telepathology opportunities for remote image analysis. In addition, the TMA technology gives the possibility to extract near by Tissue Cores which are inserted in the TMA block and in a mictotile plate. This gives the opportunity to ectract DNA/RNA form the tissue cores in the microtile plate and perform NGS analysis from the tissue sample. The advantage of these combined technologies is to have the digital image of the TMA core and the genetic anlysys from the same patient/donor. TMA applications are wide: predictive, to authenticate biomarkers with the objective to annotate treatment/therapy responses; prognostic in order to reduce cancer incidence and mortality; in clinical applications to determine the functional status of the cancer before therapy initiation; (v) in diagnostic pathology to qualify samples, reduce laboratory variations and results interpretation. Moreover, the TMAs formats provide opportunities for digital imaging acquisition, image processing and database integration Previous PostNext Post

Cancer: In Italy every year over 8000 patients candidates for liquid biopsy Post & News admin February 22, 2023 Rome, 21 February 2023 – Almost 8,000 lung cancer patients are thought to qualify for a liquid biopsy each year in Italy in order to determine the best course of treatment. But in the not-too-distant future, the number of cancer patients for whom a simple blood test will choose the optimum course of treatment will grow dramatically. A blood sample enables continuous, real-time monitoring of the neoplasm’s development, much like in a video. An image of the tumour at the time of diagnosis can only be captured by a conventional biopsy, which is performed on tumour tissue. Also, even if it doesn’t currently reflect clinical practice, the difficulty is in using a blood test to make an early cancer diagnosis. The study, which is presented in the book “Liquid Biopsy: New Challenges in the Age of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology,” by Antonio Russo, Ettore Capoluongo, Antonio Galvano, and Antonio Giordano, Ed. Elsevier brings up truly innovative views on the use of liquid biopsy, which was presented today at a press conference in the Chamber of Deputies and has signatures from the top international experts. “Twenty years ago, in 2003, there were fewer than 50 publications in oncology that used the term “liquid biopsy,” but today there are more than 10,000, making it a real “hot topic,” states Antonio Russo, COMU President, Full Professor of Medical Oncology at DICHIRONS – University of Palermo, and Treasurer of AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology). The “Liquid Biopsy” manual serves as evidence of both the prominence of Sicily, specifically the University of Palermo, and the brilliance attained in this subject by Italian scholars across the globe. “Up to this point,“ continues Professor Russo, “the applications of liquid biopsy that have been shown effective in clinical practice involve advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer, for the assessment of the EGFR gene mutational status. In two clinical contexts, the method is suggested in these instances as a possible alternative for tumour tissue examination. First of all, in patients who have just received a diagnosis and prior to beginning any kind of treatment, when the quantity or quality of tissue available is insufficient to perform the anticipated molecular analyses, when the molecular analysis of tissue has been found to be insufficient, or when it is impossible to obtain biopsy tissue due to the patient’s poor clinical conditions. It should be kept in mind that, even when used for histological diagnosis, the tissue sample is not acceptable for molecular characterization in roughly 30% of instances. In the second scenario, the liquid biopsy provides a very important contribution during the monitoring of patients with EGFR gene mutation, in progression after first-line treatment with targeted therapies, i.e. with first and second-generation EGFR inhibitors. In these cases, blood sampling is very useful for searching for a specific resistance mutation and directing the change of cure, i.e. treatment with the third-generation EGFR inhibitor. The latter, in light of the robust overall survival data, has now become a solid option on the front line and, given the high inhibitory activity, has made the use of liquid biopsy for the search for the resistance mutation secondary”. “The liquid biopsy has undoubted advantages over the traditional approach consisting of the analysis of tumor tissue – says Antonio Giordano, Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine of Temple University in Philadelphia (USA) and Professor of Anatomy and Pathological Histology at the University of Sien, and Founder and President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO). “It is minimally invasive, low-cost, has very fast reporting times and is practically free of complications because it can be performed with a simple blood sample. Furthermore, it is characterized by a high level of acceptance by patients and can be repeated without problems, by performing serial sampling to highlight the onset of resistance to therapy in real-time and, if necessary, modify the treatment.” “The liquid biopsy has undeniable advantages over the conventional method that involves the study of tumour tissue,” says Antonio Giordano, Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine of Temple University in Philadelphia (USA) and Professor of Anatomy and Pathological Histology at the University of Siena, “It is less invasive, inexpensive, has extremely quick turnaround times, and is essentially complication-free because it can be carried out with a simple blood sample. Furthermore, serial sampling is used to highlight the development of therapy resistance in real-time and, if necessary, change the treatment. It is characterized by a high level of patient acceptability and can be repeated without issues. Instead, very few patients opt to have a second tissue evaluation, in part because the general clinical circumstances often exclude it. Moreover, the tissue biopsy sample, particularly when it is obtained through fine-needle aspiration, may not necessarily be an accurate representation of the entire tumour. This is not the case with the liquid biopsy, which solves the issue of the heterogeneity of the tumour tissues by analyzing the tumour DNA discharged into the circulation.” The predominant biopsy method currently utilized in clinical practice today is the examination of circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA (circulating tumour DNA), which is a fraction of circulating free DNA (cell-free DNA, or cfDNA), isolated from peripheral blood (particularly from plasma). “The chance of success is dependent on the quantity of ctDNA in the peripheral blood, which may impact the test’s sensitivity,” underlines Ettore Capoluongo, Full Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology and SOC Director of Clinical Pathology and Genomics, Cannizzaro Hospital of Catania, “One drawback is that, depending on the volume and locations of the disease, the amount of ctDNA in the context of cfDNA is frequently limited, and this might result in “false negative” results on the liquid biopsy sample. The size and stage of the tumour are really connected to the concentration of ctDNA in plasma, with advanced-stage neoplasms releasing more ctDNA than early-stage ones.… Continue reading Cancer: In Italy every year over 8000 patients candidates for liquid biopsy