Clinical trials

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common and severe complications of extreme prematurity, affecting approximately 40% of infants born before 28 weeks of gestation. Despite advances in neonatal care and improved survival rates for extremely preterm infants, the incidence of BPD remains high. BPD is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidity, including chronic respiratory impairment, pulmonary hypertension, recurrent respiratory infections, and neurodevelopmental sequelae. Current diagnosis of BPD is based on the need for respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, limiting opportunities for early therapeutic intervention. Since structural lung injury may become irreversible within the first weeks of life, the identification of reliable early predictors of BPD is a major clinical priority. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive, radiation-free, bedside imaging technique increasingly used in neonatal intensive care units. The Lung Ultrasound Score (LUS) provides a quantitative assessment of lung aeration and has demonstrated utility in predicting several neonatal respiratory outcomes. Recent studies suggest that both LUS and pleural line abnormalities detected during the first weeks of life may be associated with the subsequent development of BPD, although evidence remains heterogeneous and no universally validated predictive method is currently available.

The study aims to identify and predict radiopharmaceutical extravasation events using new semi-quantitative parameters and machine learning models. It involves dose rate measurements to develop metrics for real-time monitoring. It also investigates the correlation between extravasation and SUV correction in PET/CT diagnostics, providing an estimate of the correction factor necessary for accurate SUV evaluation in case of an extravasation event.

Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cHL) is a rare but highly treatable malignancy of the immune system, primarily affecting young adults. Despite significant therapeutic advancements, frontline treatment failure occurs in up to 30% of cases, with relapse or refractory disease affecting over 50% of these patients. The main therapeutic challenge in cHL remains achieving an optimal balance between disease control and reducing long-term adverse effects. Current prognostic tools only partially capture patient heterogeneity, and cHL continues to evolve spatially and temporally throughout the course of the disease. Personalized treatment strategies require novel integrated tools that better monitor tumor complexity and anticipate disease progression. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has improved risk stratification in cHL, as metabolic response during or after chemotherapy strongly correlates with disease progression and survival. However, FDG-PET has limitations, including the absence of standardized criteria and the necessity to initiate treatment before response assessment. To overcome these limitations, molecular profiling and radiomic analysis of baseline FDG-PET data may provide deeper insights into tumor biology, improving prognostic accuracy. This observational study aims to dissect the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of cHL at diagnosis and during disease evolution, with the goal of identifying novel prognostic biomarkers. These findings could lead to better treatment personalization, increasing cure rates while minimizing treatment-related toxicity. The study is based on the hypothesis that correlating DNA profiling at diagnosis, gene expression, and radiomic features may enable the identification of high-risk signatures, refining prognostic models in cHL. Additionally, liquid biopsy represents a non-invasive method for assessing tumor mutational complexity. The analysis of circulating DNA (cDNA) throughout disease progression could provide insights into genetic evolution and help predict overt progression before clinical manifestations occur. The primary objective is to define the genetic mutational profile of cHL at disease progression. As secondary objectives, it will evaluate whether liquid biopsy can accurately recapitulate the genetic heterogeneity observed in tumor tissue, determine the predictive accuracy of liquid biopsy in anticipating disease progression, and correlate genomic and radiomic features with patient outcomes to refine risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. By integrating molecular and imaging-based biomarkers, this study aims to enhance personalized treatment strategies, improve risk-adapted therapeutic approaches, and ultimately optimize curability and quality of life for patients with cHL.

This is a feasibility study to implement a Survivorship Care (SC) Plan for patients with hematologic cancer undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The study evaluates if the intervention is feasible within the Italian national health system, focusing on retention rates, quality of life, unmet needs and caregiver burden

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early-stage non-polypoid neoplastic lesions, particularly Laterally Spreading Tumors - Granular Type (LST-G) larger than 20mm, require effective endoscopic removal to prevent malignant progression. The two primary techniques for resecting these lesions are Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD). EMR is a widely used, minimally invasive technique that involves resecting the lesion with a diathermic snare after submucosal injection. While effective and safe, EMR often necessitates piecemeal resection, increasing the risk of local recurrence. In contrast, ESD, developed in Asia, allows for en bloc resection regardless of lesion size, ensuring more accurate histopathological assessment and lower recurrence rates. However, ESD requires greater technical expertise, has longer procedural times, and carries a higher risk of complications. In Western clinical practice, EMR remains the standard treatment, whereas ESD is selectively performed in high-expertise centers. Given the lack of randomized controlled trials comparing EMR and ESD in Western populations, this study aims to provide robust clinical evidence to guide treatment decisions. The primary objective of this study is to compare the recurrence/residual adenomatous tissue rate at 6 and 12 months between EMR and ESD in patients with LST-G lesions of the colon and rectum

This is a mixed-method, device-free and drug-free multicenter interventional study. The study aims at facilitating end-of-life conversations within the doctor-patient relationship through the use of the Go Wish Game (GWG) and supporting patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals to complete Advance Care Panning documentation. The GWG helps people clarify and identify their priorities, should they be affected by a chronic, disabling and potentially non-healing illness. In fact, the GWG consists of a small deck of cards, and on each card is a concrete action or situation that may be important to a person at the end of life. The "Onco-hema Go wish-ACP" project aims to evaluate the feasibility of a Go Wish Game-based intervention with patients with refractory lymphoma, leukemia or multiple myeloma or advanced solid tumors with prognosis \> 3 months. In terms of secondary objectives, the study aims to. * Evaluate and compare the intervention with hematology and oncology patients in terms of: - Other feasibility indicators; Involvement in CCP pathways; Quality of communication; Meaning of life; Impact on hope; through a series of questionnaires administered to patients and caregivers involved in the intervention * Qualitatively assess the acceptability of the intervention in terms of recruitment and delivery with patients and caregivers through semi-structured interviews and with professionals through Focus Groups (FGs). * To analyze the clinical records of enrolled patients in terms of: values and preferences; awareness of prognosis; end-of-life choices and shared decision-making on treatment decisions.

Most relapses of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) occur as high-grade lymphoma within the first two years after diagnosis. Relapses as indolent lymphoma are rare events, and the true incidence of this phenomenon is unknown, since literature data are scarce/ and usually restricted to case reports. Analogously, reported treatment strategies are rather heterogeneous, since no standard of care is established and advanced age together with previous anthracycline exposure may narrow the therapeutic choice. The goal of this observational study is to assess epidemiological, clinical characteristics and survival of diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) relapsing as indolent lymphoma. More precisely, the study aims at identifying diagnostic and imaging features associated with relapse as indolent lymphoma and at evaluating disease response to selected therapies.

The goal of this clinical trial is twofold: 1. to develop a questionnaire for care givers to assess hip pain in quadriplegic pediatric patients who are not able to communicate it independently 2. to validate this questionnaire in a cohort of 100 pediatric patients with quadriplegia Researchers will : 1. involve 10 experts (8 multiprofessional clinicians and 2 parents) in a Delphi approach to develop the questionnaire 2. assess construct validity and reliability of the questionnaire submitting it to 100 care givers of pediatric patients with quadriplegia, and comparing results with the Revised Face Legs Activity Cry and Consolability (r-FLACC) Scale assessed by the physiatrist during the visit Participants will: 1. as experts, firstly answer open questions on this topic, secondly evaluate each item of the new questionnaire by means of a 5-point Liekert scale 2. as caregivers of pediatric patients with quadriplegia, fill out the questionnaire within 2 weeks after the visit

This observational study aims to gather comprehensive data on primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma (POLMS). This extremely rare malignancy accounts for less than 3% of primary ovarian malignancies and has an incidence of only 1% among ovarian cancers. This national, retrospective and prospective multicenter study will collect and analyze historical cases of POLMS with remote diagnoses accessed through clinical case reviews and newly identified cases. The study aims to expand a previously identified series of 113 cases described in the literature, uncovering patterns in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes and ultimately establishing evidence-based guidelines for the optimal management of this rare and aggressive cancer.

Women at high risk of breast cancer (BC) should undergo annual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital mammography (DM) from at least ages 35 to 60. While MRI is an expensive and scarce resource, contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a less costly and time-consuming alternative that could be used to screen these women instead of MRI. The Con-TRUST trial aims to randomize 1400 women in 10 centers to test whether CEM can be used instead of MRI+DM for BC detection in high-risk women (\>5% 5-year BC risk). The study will compare efficacy in reducing the incidence of BC in women who tested negative in the first screening and cumulative recall rates over 2 screening rounds. All women will be followed up for 2.5 years. Secondary outcomes include screening performance, safety, and women\'s compliance. The trial results will be integrated with the international literature and proposed for the development of recommendations as part of the adolopment of European guidelines in Italy.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mindful Compassion Care Program (MCCP), a mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention designed to enhance the emotional and professional well-being of healthcare professionals (HPs). The study adopts a multi-center, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, superiority design and includes HPs (physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants) involved in the clinical care of cancer patients across different settings and disease phases. Eligible participants must not have attended MBSR or other mindfulness-/compassion-based interventions in the preceding six months. The RCT has a primary objective of assessing the MCCP's effectiveness in increasing positive emotions and reducing negative emotions among HPs working in oncology and palliative care. Secondary objectives include evaluating improvements in professional quality of life and self-compassion. After providing informed consent, HPs will be randomized to receive either the MCCP (experimental group) or no intervention (control group).

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and incurable cancer. Most patients are diagnosed with unresectable disease for which treatment options are limited. The lack of prognostic biomarkers further complicates the decision-making. Recently, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has marked a shift but has failed to produce significant benefits for a large proportion of patients. Maximizing the efficiency of ICIs and developing new protocols to improve drug efficacy is the best possible strategy for improving the life expectancy and quality of life of patients with MPM. This study aims to characterize the organization of the immune system infiltrating mesothelioma and the dynamics of its interaction with the tumor. The rationale is that deciphering this complexity will help improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disease and provide a new tool to optimize the use of ICIs in these patients.

This prospective, multicenter, observational study aims to identify molecular and immunological markers associated with disease progression in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). By integrating genomic, transcriptomic, immunophenotypic, and oral microbiome analyses, the study seeks to characterize the biological mechanisms underlying the transition to symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). The study also includes in vitro modeling to investigate bone damage and immune dysfunction. Healthy volunteers (HV) undergoing joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis will serve as controls. The ultimate goal is to improve early risk stratification and support future preventive strategies through a multi-omics approach. There is a pressing need for new strategies to identify high-risk individuals based on biological rather than purely clinical parameters. This study proposes an integrative, multi-omics approach to investigate the transition from MGUS/SMM to MM. By analyzing the immunome and oral microbiome alongside molecular profiling, the goal is to identify reliable biomarkers of progression. The resulting insights could be enable more accurate risk stratification and guide the design of future preventive clinical trials aimed at delaying or halting disease evolution.

This observational study aims to systematically characterize a cohort of patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) attending the Movement Disorders Center of AUSL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Italy. PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting about 1% of individuals over 60 years of age. The project will explore clinical and biological differences between the recently proposed "Brain-First" and "Body-First" phenotypes of PD. Patients will undergo detailed clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and biomarker assessments (including neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation markers). Particular attention will be given to the progression of axial and cognitive symptoms, which represent major contributors to disability. Findings from this study are expected to improve early patient stratification, clarify disease mechanisms, and support the development of precision medicine strategies and future disease-modifying therapies.

This multicenter retrospective Italian study evaluates the efficacy and safety of PRRT in patients with advanced, unresectable or metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL). Data from \~210 patients treated between 2000 and 2024 will be analyzed. The primary endpoint is disease control rate (DCR). Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors.

An active lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis can reduce the side effects of treatment and improve quality of life, mental health, and survival. Recent evidence in the literature confirms its benefits across various types and stages of cancer. However, the majority of cancer patients do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity due to physical, psychological, and logistical barriers. It is essential that healthcare professionals provide motivational support and address individual barriers to physical activity through the active involvement of patients, thus promoting the adoption and maintenance of an active lifestyle. To achieve this, personalization of physical activity programs is crucial. For this reason, the MOvement \& REhabilitation clinic was established in 2022, where a dedicated physiotherapist provides personalized consultations and educational support to promote physical activity among cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate the trend over time in the amount of physical activity among cancer patients attending the "MOvement and REhabilitation" (MO.RE) clinic. The study also seeks to assess patient engagement, the amount of resources used to help patients maintain an active lifestyle, and any barriers to physical activity.

The study aims to assess the incidence of complications, such as intracranial haemorrhages and neurological deficits, in patients with head trauma treated in the emergency departments of the Emilia-Romagna Region and to compare the prognostic accuracy of the Canadian CT Head Rule and NEXUS Head CT Instrument in predicting post-traumatic complications. This is a retrospective multicentre cohort study that includes patients aged 18 years or older with isolated head trauma who underwent brain CT within 24 hours of the trauma. The data, sourced from hospital databases, will include medical history, prognostic scores, instrumental examinations, pharmacotherapy and adverse events. The primary objective is to determine the incidence of complications in patients who require surgery or who die, while the secondary objectives aim to compare the prognostic effectiveness of the two instruments in predicting complications. In addition, the study will examine the management strategies adopted and seek to identify any predictors of complications not included in current prognostic models. The results will contribute to improving the management of head trauma in emergency departments and optimising the use of available prognostic tools.

The study aims to retrospectively investigate the endoscopic resection procedures of cancerous and precancerous lesions of the upper and lower digestive tract in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes and to compare different resection techniques. In particular, the resection techniques investigated will be mucosectomy, en bloc and piecemeal, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and its variants, full-thickness resection. The anatomical districts involved will be the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon and rectum.

This study is a prospective, randomized phase III, to evaluate if in patients with mCRC RAS/BRAF wild type on tumor tissue and RAS mutations on liquid biopsy, treating in first line with antibody anti-VEGF (bevacizumab) plus chemotherapy (FOLFIRI) is superior in terms of PFS compared to standard treatment with antibody anti-EGFR (cetuximab) plus FOLFIRI, and then in patients RAS/BRAF wild type on tumor tissue who develop RAS mutations on liquid biopsy after the beginning of the first line treatment with cetuximab plus FOLFIRI, in the absence of a clinical or radiological progression disease, to anticipate a change of treatment with bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI further impacts on the PFS.

This observational study aims to identfy genetic targets involved in the pathogenesis of gynecological tumors, with a focus on high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Using a triple approach - in silico, ex vivo and in vitro - the study will investigate the role of gonadotropins and their related signaling pathways in the epithelial ovarian cancers. Gene and protein expression levels will be evaluated through transcriptomic analysis, immunohistochemistry and functional assays on tumor cell lines. The goal is to uncover potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets in gynecological malignancies.

Individuals with multiple myeloma (MM) are vulnerable because of the effects of systemic organ damage and the side effects of treatment. A decline in patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a compromised participation in everyday life was reported. The diagnosis of MM negatively affects the principal informal caregiver. This is a concurrent exploratory mixed methods study that involves the use of a quantitative and a qualitative approach. For the quantitative study, aims are to describe any possible relation between the identified factors with HRQoL and participation in individuals with MM and with reactions to caring and self-efficacy of caregivers. For the qualitative study, aims are to investigate "how" and "why" the disease impacts the daily life of individuals with MM and their caregivers. The final analyses will be based on the comparison of the results of the quantitative phase and the results of the qualitative phase.

European Cancer Mission calls attention to the return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs), as one of the pivotal issues of the cancer continuum that need to be addressed through proper and prompt actions and recommendations. Employers are important stakeholders, as they can provide emotional and practical support, sustain communication during the entire process, and guarantee a gradual work reintegration. In Italy there is lack of knowledge regarding this topic. Thus, further exploration of Italian employers' perspectives on the RTW of employees with cancer should be performed to comprehend their unknown experiences. The aim is to explore the perspectives of employers who dealt with the RTW process of employees who received a cancer diagnosis through a qualitative research design.

This study evaluates the activity and toxicity of Lattice Radiation Therapy (LRT) in patients with large, unresectable non-brain neoplastic lesions requiring palliative treatment. Eligible patients will 5 fractions LRT, delivered in every other day, to 20 Gy with a simultaneous boost to a minimum median dose of 50 Gy. No concomitant antineoplastic drugs will be allowed. Patients will be followed at 14, 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment, then every 3 months up to 1 year. Tumor response will be assessed using objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1, with CT scans at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Secondary endpoints include local control, toxicity (CTCAE v.5.0), and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) to assess their quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL and PRO-CTCAE). Exploratory objectives will assess the immunomodulatory effects of LRT through immune cell characterization and quantification of immune-related circulating factors before and after treatment.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, resulting in the constitutive activation of the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase. The advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionized the management of CML, trasforming it from a fatal disease to a chronic condition with excellent long-term outcomes for the majority of patients. The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) based treatment for CML has revolutionized the management of this previously fatal disease, achieving sustained disease-control in more than 90% of patients. However, as patients with CML are often required to undergo lifelong TKI therapy to maintain disease control, concerns regarding the long-term safety and tolerability of these agents have emerged. The efficacy of second and third-generation TKIs exceeds the efficacy of imatinib, owing to their potent impact on wild-type BCR-ABL1 and various BCR-ABL1 mutants, along with additional drug targets. Furthermore, TKIs exhibit activity on non-kinase targets (es. oxidoreductase NQO2 for nilotinib and imatinib). The prolonged treatment duration and expanded TKIs repertoire have led the emergence of various unexpected non-hematologic adverse events (AE), notably vascular adverse events (VAEs). Recent evidence indicates a relatively high incidence of severe arterial changes in TKI-treated patients, with VAEs frequency correlating with TKI dosage and treatment duration. However, data elucidating the clinical features of vascular events are lacking. Hormonal alterations have been reported in patients treated with imatinib. The tyrosine-kinase receptors cKIT and PDGF receptors, along with their respective ligands, are expressed in the testis, where they play a role in stimulating testosterone secretion by Leydig cells. Prolonged imatinib use has been associated with reduced testosterone production due to PDGFR and cKit blockade in the testis, potentially leading to gynaecomastia in men. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths. CVD and ED share a variety of common risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and metabolic syndrome. Screening and diagnosing ED hold significant potential for secondary prevention of CVD. Despite the estabilished association between ED and CVD, the precise mechanisms driving ED's predictive value for CVD are yet to be fully identified. Early deection and treatment of CVD during the critical time frame in which risk factors can be modified will effectively reduce the occurrence of fatal CV events in male patients with ED. This is a multicentre national, retrospective, prospective, non-interventional study that focuses on male CML patients starting first-line treatment with TKIs between 1 January 2015 and 31 January 2022. All enrolled patients will be involved in both retrospective and prospective evaluations. The retrospective component of the study allows the collection of data on the onset of ED, documented in medical records, that occurred before enrolment. It also includes information from physical examinations and laboratory tests, such as complete blood count, serum biochemistry (including renal and liver function tests, lipid profile and glycosylated haemoglobin), molecular biology for BCR-ABL transcript levels and electrocardiography (ECG), collected retrospectively every six months from enrolment until the documented onset of ED. The prospective evaluation assesses the occurrence of ED in the six months prior to enrolment and during the two-year follow-up period. The primary objective of the study is to assess the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among male patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib or ponatinib, focusing in particular on those individuals who report the appearance of associated symptoms after treatment.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent condition, and when fatty liver is associated with inflammation and hepatocellular injury (steatohepatitis), it can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for NAFLD assessment but has several drawbacks. Several drugs for NASH are now in phase 2-3 trials, and if medical treatments become available, non-invasive tools to identify patients who may benefit from a therapeutic intervention will be strongly needed. Some imaging methods have shown promising potential in fibrosis and NASH diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive imaging methods, including ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) techniques, in diagnosing NASH and fibrosis in patients with or at high risk of NAFLD, using liver biopsy as the reference standard. Consecutive patients with a clinical indication for liver biopsy assessment of NAFLD are enrolled in this non-inferiority study. They undergo both a liver US and a multiparametric unenhanced liver MR examination. As reference standard, histological diagnosis of fibrosis and steatohepatitis made according to the fatty liver inhibition of progression (FLIP) algorithm is used. Sensitivity and specificity of imaging parameters alone or in different combinations will be calculated with the aim of finding one or more tests with at least 90% sensitivity/specificity compared to liver biopsy.