Current Position:
Scientific Director Istituto dermopatia dell'Immacolata, Rome, Italy
Recent Positions:
- Since 2006: Full Professor of Medical Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome.
- 2006–2021: Director, Medical Oncology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome.
- 2017–2021: Head, Sapienza Oncology Center and Director of Medical Oncology Units, Policlinico Umberto I and Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome.
- Since 2002: Scientific Consultant, IDI‑IRCCS, Rome.
Education and Training:
- 1976: MD in Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome (110/110 cum laude).
- 1976: Medical license qualification (100/100).
- 1980: Specialization in Endocrinology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome (70/70 cum laude).
- 1985: Specialization in Oncology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome (70/70 cum laude).
Clinical and Managerial Activity:
- 1991–2006: Founder and Director, Medical Oncology Department, University of L’Aquila – San Salvatore Hospital.
- ESMO Designated Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care for the units of L’Aquila (2005), IDI‑IRCCS (2006), and Sant’Andrea Hospital (2012).
Scientific Expertise:
- Medical Oncology – clinical and translational expertise.
- Cancer Immunotherapy – efficacy and tolerability across multiple indications.
- Precision Medicine – pharmacogenomics and chemotherapy metabolism polymorphisms.
- Molecular Oncology – molecular scanning methodologies (F.A.M.A technology for BRCA1/BRCA2).
- Melanoma and Skin Cancers – research coordination at IDI‑IRCCS.
- Integrated Therapies (chemo‑radiotherapy and supportive care).
- Simultaneous Palliative Care integrated with active treatment.
Methodological Expertise:
- F.A.M.A technology developed with Institut Pasteur, Paris.
- National and international multicentre trials (chemoprevention, adjuvant endocrine therapy, COX‑2 inhibitors).
- Development of home‑based electronic assessment tools:
- Dolometer® for chronic pain assessment.
- LESAR® for Quality of Life assessment.
- Telemonitoring projects using sensors for home follow‑up.
Research Activities
Main Research Areas:
1. Molecular Oncology and Genetics
- Steroid hormone mechanisms; molecular control of neoplastic growth.
- Clinical implications of tumour suppressor gene inactivation.
- F.A.M.A‑based screening for BRCA1/BRCA2.
2. Cancer Immunotherapy
- Efficacy and tolerability of immunotherapy in multiple malignancies.
3. Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics
- Genetic polymorphisms affecting chemotherapy metabolism.
- Early identification of patients at risk of severe toxicity; implementation of precision medicine.
4. ROME Trial – From the Histology to the Target
- National basket‑type study, co‑coordinated with ISS, assessing mutations in >320 genes to guide targeted therapies irrespective of tumour histology.
5. Clinical and Translational Research
- Chemoprevention in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers.
- Adjuvant aromatase inhibitor trials, COX‑2 inhibitors in cancer anorexia‑cachexia, chemo‑radiotherapy integration.
6. Technological and Care Innovation
- Development of Dolometer® and LESAR®; telemonitoring pilot projects.
- Implementation of Simultaneous Care model with reduced ED access, premature admissions and length of stay.
- Collaboration with Institut Pasteur, Paris and European networks on immunoscore, cellular vaccines and cancer biotherapies; partnerships with international companies on telemonitoring solutions.
Patents / Clinical Trials:
- Patent‑oriented tools (Dolometer®, LESAR®, telemonitoring systems).
- PI in multiple national and international multicentre trials; coordinator of the ROME Trial.
Scientific output:
- 517 indexed publications; H‑index 61; ~15,300 citations.
- National honours (Commander of the Italian Republic, multiple awards) and three ESMO Designated Center recognitions.