Dr. Bagnardi studies various aspects of cancer, particularly melanoma and breast cancer, by investigating risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatment protocols. His research includes how the number and type of moles can increase melanoma risk in different age groups, the development of user-friendly decision aids for breast cancer treatment, and the evaluation of diagnostic differences in non-invasive breast cancer. He also explores links between smoking and oral cancers, as well as outcomes for patients with severe asthma and other related health issues.
Key findings
Individuals under 40 with atypical moles face a 4.84 times higher risk of melanoma.
In a study of 3,397 breast cancer patients, the 5-year recurrence rate was 4.4%, pointing to significant long-term monitoring needs.
24.4% of patients with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma experienced cancer recurrence within one year after surgery.
Among women undergoing mastectomy, those who viewed an explanatory video before surgery showed improved information retention and understanding.
In patients with severe asthma, 26.1% also suffered from sleep disorders; this connection can impact their overall well-being and asthma control.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Bagnardi study melanoma?
Yes, he investigates how the number of moles affects melanoma risk, particularly in different age groups.
What cancer treatments has Dr. Bagnardi researched?
He has researched various treatments for breast cancer and other cancers, including the effects of extended hormone therapy and decision aids for patient care.
Is Dr. Bagnardi's work relevant to patients with asthma?
Yes, he studies severe asthma, including its connections to sleep disorders and osteoporosis in patients, which can help improve care for this group.
Publications in plain English
Intraductal papilloma of the breast: low risk, but handle with care.
2026
La Radiologia medica
Nicosia L, Mariano L, Mallardi C, Pannarale MR, Frassoni S +9 more
Plain English This research looked at how to manage patients with benign breast papillomas that do not show atypia, focusing on 179 cases diagnosed between 1999 and 2022. The study found that 9% of patients who had surgery had more serious conditions missed during initial diagnosis, and 7% of patients experienced a recurrence of lesions. It matters because it highlights the importance of careful monitoring and possible surgery for patients with incomplete removal of these papillomas, as the risk of recurrence is significantly higher.
Who this helps: This helps patients with breast papillomas and their doctors in making informed decisions about their treatment.
Corrigendum to: "Body mass index, adiposity and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes as prognostic biomarkers in patients treated with immunotherapy: A multi-parametric analysis" [Eur J Cancer 145 (2021) 197-209].
2026
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Esposito A, Marra A, Bagnardi V, Frassoni S, Morganti S +11 more
Excellent outcomes of living donor liver transplantation: A contemporary report from Western Center.
2026
Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
Di Sandro S, Catellani B, Odorizzi R, Caracciolo D, Frassoni S +9 more
Plain English This study looked at how living donor liver transplants (LDLT) have improved over the years at a single medical center. Researchers compared two time periods: 2001-2003 and 2020-2023. They found that donors in the later group were older, but they had similar complication rates, while recipients showed a big improvement, with only 7% having severe complications compared to 81% in the earlier group. Overall, these advancements mean LDLT is becoming a safer and more effective option for treating severe liver diseases.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with end-stage liver disease and liver cancer looking for transplant options.
Extended Endocrine Therapy Following 5 Years of Adjuvant Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Agonist in Premenopausal Patients With Node-Positive, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Cohort Study.
2026
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Valenza C, Zheng Y, Milano M, Trapani D, Giordano E +18 more
Plain English This study looked at the benefits of continuing hormone therapy for premenopausal women with specific types of breast cancer after they had already received 5 years of an initial treatment. The researchers found that continuing treatment led to an 85% chance of being free from invasive breast cancer in the extended therapy group, compared to 78% in those who didn't continue treatment, showing that the extended therapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. This matters because it offers a way to improve outcomes for women who have a higher risk of their cancer returning.
Who this helps: Patients with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Early Recurrence of Esophagogastric junction adenoCarcinoma after Surgery: a multicentre analysis of risk factors (ERECS Trial).
2026
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
de Pascale S, Rosati R, Bagnardi V, Cossu A, Ferrari G +13 more
Plain English This study looked at patients with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJA) who had surgery to remove their cancer. It found that 24.4% of patients experienced their cancer returning within 12 months after surgery, with risk factors like a low body mass index and advanced cancer stage significantly increasing the chances of early recurrence. 87.7% of patients were alive after one year, but only 70.6% were free from recurrence during that time, highlighting the need for tailored treatment plans for patients at higher risk.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients understand which individuals might need extra support and different treatment options after surgery.
Ground-Glass Enhancement on Contrast-Enhanced Mammography: A CT-Inspired Qualitative Descriptor for Breast Lesion Characterization.
2026
Journal of clinical medicine
Nicosia L, Mariano L, Mallardi C, Pesapane F, Borella M +9 more
Plain English This study looked at a new way to describe breast lesions seen in contrast-enhanced mammography, called Ground-Glass Enhancement (GGE). Researchers analyzed 249 patients and found that lesions with opaque enhancement (OE) were often more noticeable and associated with higher cancer aggressiveness markers; for example, 73% of OE lesions had a high rate of cell growth. Although the GGE categories are useful for understanding imaging patterns, only certain features, like mass-like appearance and size, are directly linked to higher cancer risk.
Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients by improving how breast lesions are evaluated in mammograms.
Microcalcifications matter: Diagnostic and biological differences in DCIS.
2026
Cancer treatment and research communications
Nicosia L, Mariano L, Mallardi C, Pesapane F, Meneghetti L +7 more
Plain English This study looked at ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of non-invasive breast cancer, to see how the presence of microcalcifications affects the likelihood of the cancer becoming invasive. They found that 19% of patients with non-calcified DCIS had their diagnosis upgraded to invasive cancer, compared to only 8% of those with calcified DCIS. The research also indicated that larger tumors were more likely to be misdiagnosed, which is important for deciding how to treat these patients.
Who this helps: This helps patients with DCIS and their doctors by providing better information for diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Protocol for the development and testing of a web-based patient decision aid for early-stage breast cancer patients within a cancer centre care: a mixed-method approach.
2026
BMJ open
Sdinami S, Sebri V, Monzani D, Zagami P, Criscitiello C +4 more
Plain English This research paper outlines a plan to create a user-friendly online tool to help patients with early-stage breast cancer make informed decisions about their treatment options. The study will involve interviews with patients and doctors to design the tool, which will then be tested on 150 patients split into two groups: one will receive standard care, and the other will receive standard care plus the decision aid. The aim is to evaluate how this tool impacts factors like anxiety, depression, quality of life, and the overall decision-making process by comparing results at different times.
Who this helps: This benefits early-stage breast cancer patients and their healthcare providers.
A nomogram for predicting in-breast tumor recurrence risk in breast cancer patients treated with partial breast irradiation using intraoperative electron radiation therapy.
2026
Breast cancer research and treatment
Rojas DP, Frassoni S, Maisonneuve P, Intra M, Kouloura A +16 more
Plain English This study developed a tool to help predict the chances of breast cancer returning in patients who received a specific type of radiation therapy during surgery. It looked at 3,397 patients and found that about 7.8% experienced a recurrence within an average of 6.1 years, with a 5-year return rate of 4.4% and a 10-year rate of 13.5%. Key factors that increased the risk of recurrence included being under 60 years old and having certain tumor characteristics.
Who this helps: This tool benefits breast cancer patients and their doctors by providing better guidance on treatment options.
Age-specific melanoma risk associated with nevi: a pooled analysis from the M-SKIP project.
2026
Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG
Doi G, Gaeta A, Ribero S, Gruis N, Newton-Bishop J +16 more
Plain English This study looked at how the number of moles (nevi) affects the risk of developing melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in different age groups. Researchers found that having many common moles increases melanoma risk for both younger people under 40 (2.56 times more likely) and older people over 60 (2.06 times more likely). However, the presence of at least one atypical mole significantly raises the risk for younger people (4.84 times) compared to older people (1.71 times). These results show that younger individuals with atypical moles need special attention for skin cancer prevention.
Who this helps: This helps patients, especially younger individuals with atypical moles, and their doctors.
Hypofractionated Partial Breast Reirradiation in the Conservative Retreatment of Breast Cancer Local Recurrence.
2025
Practical radiation oncology
Leonardi MC, Arculeo S, Frassoni S, Zerella MA, Gerardi MA +14 more
Plain English This study looked at a radiation therapy method called hypofractionated partial breast reirradiation (re-PBI) for women who had a local recurrence of breast cancer after previous breast-conserving surgery. Researchers treated 70 patients and found that after 8 years, 76% were free from disease, and 90% survived specifically from breast cancer. This approach offers a good option for patients who experience a relapse without needing to resort to more drastic surgery like a mastectomy.
Who this helps: This helps breast cancer patients facing a local recurrence.
Association between cigarette smoking and nasopharyngeal cancer risk: a meta-analysis.
2025
Rhinology
Possenti I, Martini A, Bagnardi V, Specchia C, Garavello W +4 more
Plain English This research studied the connection between cigarette smoking and the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), a rare but aggressive form of cancer. The analysis found that smokers have a higher risk of developing NPC: current smokers have a risk 61% higher, former smokers 28% higher, and those who have ever smoked 62% higher compared to people who have never smoked. This information is important because it shows that even moderate smoking increases the risk of NPC, which can help shape cancer prevention strategies.
Who this helps: This helps patients and public health officials focused on cancer prevention.
Shifting from axillary dissection to targeted axillary surgery after neoadjuvant treatment: the evolving management of occult breast cancer in a monoinstitutional series of 114 patients.
2025
Breast cancer research and treatment
Vicini E, Galimberti V, Leonardi MC, Kahler-Ribeiro-Fontana S, Polizzi A +8 more
Plain English This study looked at the treatment of patients with a rare type of breast cancer called occult breast cancer, where the cancer is not detected in the breast but shows up in the lymph nodes. Researchers followed 114 patients who had surgery after receiving pre-surgery chemotherapy, finding that 74.5% remained cancer-free after five years, and 88.5% were still alive. Notably, patients who had a complete response in their lymph nodes had fewer complications compared to those who did not, suggesting that a less invasive surgery can be effective for these patients.
Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients who may require less invasive treatment options and their doctors.
Biologics as well as inhaled anti-asthmatic therapy achieve clinical remission: Evidence from the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI).
2025
The World Allergy Organization journal
Canonica GW, Blasi F, Paggiaro P, Heffler E, Braido F +7 more
Plain English This study looked at how well different treatments for severe asthma help patients achieve clinical remission after one year. Among patients treated with biologics, 45.8% reached complete remission, while 34.5% of those on inhaled therapies achieved the same. These results show that both types of treatment can be effective for managing severe asthma, which is important for selecting the right therapies for patients.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with severe asthma as well as their doctors in choosing effective treatment options.
Surrogate End Points for Overall Survival in Neoadjuvant Randomized Clinical Trials for Early Breast Cancer.
2025
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Conforti F, Nekljudova V, Sala I, Ascari R, Solbach C +27 more
Plain English This study looked at whether certain early indicators, like achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) and invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), can reliably predict overall survival (OS) in patients with early breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. The researchers analyzed data from 11 clinical trials involving over 12,000 patients and found a weak link between pCR and OS, with a correlation coefficient of only 0.07, while iDFS showed a stronger association with OS at 0.46. This is important because it means that monitoring iDFS could help predict long-term survival in many patients, although the findings suggest that using overall survival as the main measure of treatment success for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer may need reevaluation.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers evaluate treatment success for breast cancer patients.
Sequential Hypothermic and Normothermic Machine Perfusion of Extended Criteria Donors in Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Preliminary Experience.
2025
Artificial organs
Magistri P, Zamboni S, Catellani B, Guidetti C, Esposito G +9 more
Plain English This study looked at a new method for preserving liver organs from high-risk donors before transplantation. Out of 33 organs treated with this technique, 16 were deemed suitable for transplant, with 56% of patients experiencing no complications afterward. This approach could help increase the number of available livers for transplant, which is crucial given the high demand and limited supply for patients waiting for surgery.
Who this helps: Patients in need of a liver transplant.
Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma of the breast: Clinicopathological features, treatment patterns and outcomes.
2025
European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
Peradze N, Polizzi A, Pagan E, Bottazzoli E, Bagnardi V +8 more
Plain English This study focused on a rare type of breast cancer called pleomorphic lobular carcinoma (PLC) and compared its characteristics and outcomes to a more common type known as classical invasive lobular carcinoma (cILC). Researchers looked at 226 PLC patients and 2,067 cILC patients, discovering that PLC had worse outcomes: only 83.6% of PLC patients survived for 5 years compared to 98.4% of cILC patients, and the 10-year survival rates were 69.5% for PLC versus 93.4% for cILC. These findings highlight that PLC is more aggressive and leads to poorer patient outcomes, which is crucial for developing better treatment strategies.
Who this helps: This helps patients diagnosed with pleomorphic lobular carcinoma and their doctors.
Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in randomized clinical trials testing antibody-drug conjugates.
2025
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Pala L, Merlo F, Sala I, Pagan E, Oriecuia C +16 more
Plain English This research studied how well overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) can predict overall survival (OS) in clinical trials testing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for patients with advanced solid tumors. The analysis included 25 trials with nearly 12,000 patients and found that PFS strongly predicts OS with a correlation score of 0.79, while ORR is a less reliable predictor with a correlation score of 0.47. This is important because using PFS can help speed up the approval process for new cancer treatments, ensuring patients can access effective therapies sooner.
Who this helps: This helps patients with advanced solid tumors looking for effective treatment options.
Sex hormones, the anticancer immune response, and therapeutic opportunities.
2025
Cancer cell
Conforti F, Pala L, Di Mitri D, Catania C, Cocorocchio E +11 more
Plain English This study examines how sex hormones influence cancer treatment outcomes, particularly in how men and women respond to immune therapies. It highlights that differences in immune responses linked to sex hormones could affect cancer treatment effectiveness, with a focus on methods to combine hormone treatments with cancer immunotherapy. This is important because it suggests that personalizing cancer treatment based on a patient's sex could lead to better outcomes.
Who this helps: Patients, especially women and men receiving cancer treatment.
A retrospective study evaluating surgical upstaging rates in low-risk DCIS patients meeting the eligibility criteria for active surveillance trials.
2025
European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
Vila J, Farante G, Ripoll-Orts F, Lissidini G, Nicosia L +7 more
Plain English This study looked at patients with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to see how often their condition worsened when they had surgery. Out of 351 patients, 23.6% were found to have a more serious diagnosis after surgery, with 18.2% showing signs of invasive cancer, and 5.4% having a higher grade of DCIS. This matters because it indicates that many patients thought to be at low risk may actually need more careful treatment rather than just monitoring.
Who this helps: This helps doctors make better decisions for patients with low-risk DCIS.
Post-Market Clinical Follow-Up Study of the LevaLap 1.0 during Laparoscopic Access.
2025
JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Deffieux X, Benifla JL, Juhasz-Böss I, Breitbach M, Buchweitz O +13 more
Plain English This study looked at a new device called the LevaLap 1.0, which is meant to make it easier and safer for doctors to access the abdomen during certain types of surgery. Out of 158 women involved, 96.8% had successful access on the first try, and 99.4% succeeded within two tries, which is a very high success rate. The findings suggest that using the LevaLap 1.0 can make surgeries quicker and boost surgeons' confidence.
Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery and the doctors performing the procedures.
Neuropsychological and psychosocial assessment of small and non-small lung cancer patients: a study protocol.
2025
Frontiers in psychology
Capetti B, Conti L, Marzorati C, Bagnardi V, Chiari M +3 more
Plain English This study looks at how lung cancer, specifically non-small-cell and small-cell types, affects patients' thinking and mental health after treatments like surgery. Researchers plan to evaluate about 200 patients over a year using various tests to measure cognitive function and track changes in memory, attention, and overall quality of life. The findings will help doctors better understand and manage the cognitive problems that lung cancer patients face, enhancing their care and support.
Who this helps: This research benefits lung cancer patients and their healthcare providers.
Long-Term Outcomes After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Italian Multicenter Collaborative Study.
2025
Transplantation and cellular therapy
Tarella C, Sammassimo S, Frassoni S, Dominietto A, Cerretti R +17 more
Plain English This study looked at the long-term outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma who underwent a specific type of bone marrow transplant called allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). They followed 281 patients for an average of 8.7 years and found that about 44% were still free of disease after 3 years, and 50% were alive after the same period. These results show that allo-HSCT can be an effective treatment option for patients with this difficult-to-treat form of cancer, especially those who are in complete remission before the transplant.
Who this helps: This helps patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and their doctors in making treatment decisions.
Reply to: "Inappropriate Conclusions on Surrogate End Points in Early Breast Cancer Trials" and "Methodologic Considerations in Assessing Invasive Disease-Free Survival as a Surrogate End Point for Overall Survival in Trials for Early Breast Cancer".
2025
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Robotic vs laparoscopic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: multicentric propensity-score matched analysis of surgical and oncologic outcomes in 647 patients.
2025
Updates in surgery
Di Sandro S, Centonze L, Ratti F, Russolillo N, Conci S +24 more
Plain English This study compared two different surgical techniques for removing liver tumors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): robotic liver resection (RLR) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). Researchers looked at outcomes from 647 patients and found that RLR resulted in wider surgical margins (10 mm vs. 5 mm), lower rates of conversion to open surgery (2.1% vs. 8.5%), shorter hospital stays (4 days vs. 5 days), and significantly better recurrence-free survival after five years (46.8% for RLR compared to 24.0% for LLR). This is important because better margins and lower recurrence rates can lead to improved long-term outcomes for patients with HCC.
Who this helps: This helps patients with liver cancer and their doctors by providing insights into more effective surgical options.
Heterogeneity of progression-free survival surrogacy by sex in randomized trials testing immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
2025
JNCI cancer spectrum
Pagan E, Sala I, Pala L, Natali F, Merlo F +16 more
Plain English This study looked at how well "progression-free survival" (PFS) predicts "overall survival" (OS) in men and women with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy. The findings showed that in 20 clinical trials involving over 10,500 patients, PFS was a good indicator of OS in men (with a strong association score of 0.77) but much less reliable in women (with a weak score of 0.31). This matters because it highlights that treatments may need to be tailored differently for men and women to ensure better survival outcomes.
Who this helps: This helps patients, especially women with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, by emphasizing the need for more personalized treatment approaches.
Why Adjuvant Treatment With a CDK4/6 Inhibitor Should Be Recommended for Women With High-Risk Breast Cancer: Methodologic Considerations on Available Evidence.
2025
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Conforti F, Merlo F, Pala L, Canzian J, Tinterri B +7 more
Osteoporosis in Severe Asthmatic Patients: Data from the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI) Registry.
2025
Journal of clinical medicine
Latorre M, Costanzo G, Ledda AG, Sambugaro G, Cardini C +13 more
Plain English This study examined how often osteoporosis occurs in patients with severe asthma in Italy, focusing on those treated with specific medications. Among 1,813 patients, about 15.5% had osteoporosis, with the condition being more common in women (20.3%) than men (8.0%). These patients had worse asthma control and lung function, highlighting the need for doctors to recognize those at high risk and consider treatments that reduce reliance on harmful steroids.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients with severe asthma and their healthcare providers.
Distant disease-free survival as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival in randomised trials of neoadjuvant therapy for early breast cancer: a pooled analysis of GBG and AGO-B Study Group trials.
2025
The Lancet. Oncology
Conforti F, Holtschmidt J, Nekljudova V, Sala I, Pagan E +27 more
Plain English This study looked at whether "distant disease-free survival" — which means not having signs of cancer in distant parts of the body after treatment — can predict overall survival for early breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (treatment given before surgery). The analysis included data from 12,247 patients in 11 trials and found a strong link, with a value of 0.91, indicating that good distant disease-free survival typically means better overall survival. However, this connection was weaker for patients with certain biological features of their tumors, specifically those that are hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive.
Who this helps: This research helps doctors and patients understand which treatment outcomes to focus on for making future treatment decisions.
Severe Asthma and Sleep Disorders: A Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI) Registry Analysis.
2025
Journal of asthma and allergy
Ferri S, Marzio V, Cavaglià E, Valli N, Bagnardi V +10 more
Plain English This study looked at the connection between sleep problems and severe asthma in patients from the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI). It found that about 26.1% of patients with severe asthma also have sleep disorders, which worsens their asthma symptoms and quality of life. Patients with both conditions often have additional health issues like rhinitis and diabetes, and they require more medical help and hospital visits.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with severe asthma, particularly those who also struggle with sleep disorders.
Effect of a Multimedia-Assisted Informed Consent Procedure on the Information Gain of Patients Undergoing Mastectomy and Implant-Based Reconstruction.
2025
Aesthetic plastic surgery
De Lorenzi F, Carbonaro R, Marzorati C, Pagan E, Miranda S +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how using a video to explain the surgery process affects how much information patients retain compared to standard methods. Out of 265 women undergoing mastectomy and implant-based reconstruction, those who watched a six-minute video retained more information and understood their options better than those who only received written materials. This is important because better understanding can lead to more informed decisions and possibly lessen anxiety before surgery.
Who this helps: This helps patients facing mastectomy and reconstruction.
Smoking and oral and pharyngeal cancer: a meta-analysis.
2025
Oncology reviews
Possenti I, Miotti S, Gallus S, Bagnardi V, Garavello W +4 more
Plain English This study looked at the link between smoking and oral and pharyngeal cancers, which together affect over 580,000 people each year worldwide. It found that current smokers have more than 3.5 times the risk of these cancers compared to non-smokers, while former smokers still face a 1.6 times higher risk. Additionally, the risk increases significantly with the amount and duration of smoking, but it can drop by 50% within 10 years after quitting.
Who this helps: This helps patients, especially those looking to quit smoking, and doctors who advise on cancer risk.
Fixed airway obstruction and bronchodilator responsiveness phenotypes in severe asthma population from SANI registry.
2025
BMJ open respiratory research
Guida G, Blasi F, Canonica GW, Heffler E, Paggiaro P +6 more
Plain English This study analyzed a group of patients with severe asthma to better understand a specific type of airway obstruction known as fixed airway obstruction (FAO) compared to reversible airway obstruction (BRD). Out of 354 patients, 116 had FAO, which accounted for 32.8% of the group. The researchers found that patients with FAO had better control over their asthma and improved quality of life compared to those with BDR, and were also less likely to need emergency care.
Who this helps: This study benefits patients with severe asthma, particularly those with fixed airway obstruction.
The authorization process of observational studies in Italy: exploring two decades of Ethics Committee approval data.
2025
Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita
Simoni L, Recenti F, Roncari B, Tanzini L, Bagnardi V +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how changes in Italian regulations affected the approval process for observational medical studies over two decades. Researchers reviewed 2,875 study submissions and found that submission times increased slightly after the new AIFA guidelines and the GDPR, with evaluations taking a median of 75 days after AIFA guidelines compared to 70 days before. These changes led to more study suspensions, indicating a tradeoff between regulation and timely approval, but also quality control as evaluations became more thorough.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and medical professionals by providing insights into the regulatory environment for clinical studies.
Outcomes, indications and predictive factors for complications in postmastectomy prepectoral reconstructions with polyurethane foam-coated implants.
2025
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Lisa A, Riccardi F, Alessandri-Bonetti M, Mazzocconi L, Bottoni M +9 more
Plain English This study looked at the outcomes of breast reconstruction after mastectomy using foam-coated implants in 250 patients between 2020 and 2022. It found that 6.3% of patients faced major complications, mostly infections, while 27.8% had minor issues like rippling and capsular contracture. Understanding these rates and risk factors, like being overweight or having diabetes, is important for improving patient care and planning better treatments.
Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
Aprepitant use during chemotherapy and association with survival in women with early breast cancer.
2025
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Botteri E, Hjorth S, Conforti F, Bagnardi V, Andreassen BK +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how the drug aprepitant, used to prevent nausea during chemotherapy, impacts survival for women with early breast cancer. Researchers followed nearly 14,000 women and found that those who took aprepitant had improved survival rates, specifically women with non-luminal breast cancer (with a 34% better chance of surviving without disease spread) and triple-negative breast cancer (with a 39% better chance of survival). These findings are important because they suggest that aprepitant not only helps manage side effects of chemotherapy but may also improve cancer outcomes for certain patient groups.
Who this helps: This benefits women with early non-luminal breast cancer, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer.
Clinical/pathological features and survival outcomes of extra-pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas: A retrospective single-center series.
2025
Journal of neuroendocrinology
Benini L, Gervaso L, Frassoni S, Bagnardi V, Cella CA +8 more
Plain English This study looked at patients with a rare type of cancer called extra-pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EP-NEC), focusing on their characteristics and survival outcomes. Out of 1594 patients discussed at a specialized center, 173 had EP-NEC, with a median overall survival of just 15.4 months and a response rate to the first round of chemotherapy at 40%. These findings highlight the urgent need for better treatment options and understanding of this aggressive cancer.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients diagnosed with extra-pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma and their healthcare providers.
Long-term outcome of invasive pure micropapillary breast cancer compared with invasive mixed micropapillary and invasive ductal breast cancer: a matched retrospective study.
2024
Breast cancer research and treatment
Magnoni F, Bianchi B, Pagan E, Corso G, Sala I +10 more
Plain English This study looked at two types of breast cancer: pure invasive micropapillary cancer (IMPC) and mixed IMPC, comparing them with the more common invasive ductal cancer (IDC). It found that pure IMPC patients had worse outcomes, with a significantly higher chance of having severe disease when diagnosed and a lower overall survival rate, where only 39% of them were alive five years after diagnosis compared to over 80% for IDC patients. This is important because it shows that the type of breast cancer affects treatment options and survival, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to care.
Who this helps: This helps patients with micropapillary breast cancer and their doctors in making informed treatment decisions.
Factors influencing 5-year persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in young women with breast cancer.
2024
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Pagan E, Ruggeri M, Bianco N, Bucci EO, Graffeo R +21 more
Plain English The study looked at young women (under 40) with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and why many of them stop taking their prescribed hormone therapy after treatment. It found that about 27.7% of these women discontinued therapy within five years, with married women without children and those who struggled to communicate with their doctors being more likely to stop. These findings highlight the importance of better support and communication between patients and healthcare providers, which may help keep these women on their treatment.
Who this helps: This helps young breast cancer patients and their healthcare teams.
Outcomes of patients with advanced solid tumors who discontinued immune-checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2024
EClinicalMedicine
Pala L, Pagan E, Sala I, Oriecuia C, Oliari M +15 more
Plain English This study looked at patients with advanced solid tumors who stopped using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for reasons other than their cancer worsening. Researchers combined data from 36 studies involving 2,180 patients and found that the average time patients remained free from cancer progression after stopping treatment was nearly 25 months. The results showed that patients with melanoma had a much longer average progression-free survival of 43 months compared to just 13.5 months for those with lung cancer, highlighting important differences based on cancer type and treatment.
Who this helps: This research helps both patients with advanced tumors and their doctors by providing insights into the expected outcomes after stopping immune therapy.
Salvage Breast-Conserving Surgery and Reirradiation With Intraoperative Electrons for Recurrent Breast Cancer: A Multicentric Study on Behalf of Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO).
2024
Practical radiation oncology
Leonardi MC, Fodor AD, Frassoni S, Rojas DP, Fozza A +25 more
Plain English The study examined the use of a targeted radiation therapy technique called intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) as a treatment option for women with recurrent breast cancer who had already undergone surgery. Researchers followed 109 patients over an average of 11.7 years and found that about 12.2% of them had a second local recurrence of cancer within five years, which increased to 32.3% over ten years. Despite the recurrence, 95.2% of patients were still alive after five years, which shows that this method can be effective, though having a second recurrence significantly impacted survival chances.
Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients who face a recurrence and are seeking options that preserve breast tissue.
Development and Validation of a Natural Language Processing Algorithm for Extracting Clinical and Pathological Features of Breast Cancer From Pathology Reports.
2024
JCO clinical cancer informatics
Munzone E, Marra A, Comotto F, Guercio L, Sangalli CA +10 more
Plain English This study focused on creating a computer program that can read and extract important details from breast cancer pathology reports, which are typically written in everyday language. Researchers developed this program using 193 reports and found that it agreed with doctors' interpretations 82.9% of the time. After further improvements, the program's accuracy jumped to 97.8%, particularly excelling in identifying key cancer markers.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers by making it easier and quicker to analyze breast cancer data.
Comparison of Khorana vs. ONKOTEV predictive score to individualize anticoagulant prophylaxis in outpatients with cancer.
2024
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Cella CA, Djulbegovic B, Hozo I, Lordick F, Bagnardi V +3 more
Plain English This study compared two scoring systems, Khorana and ONKOTEV, to see which is better at helping doctors decide how to prevent blood clots in cancer patients receiving outpatient care. The research involved 425 patients and found that the ONKOTEV score provided better recommendations for individualized treatment, leading to improved prevention of blood clots while considering patients’ preferences regarding risks of clots versus bleeding. This is important because better risk assessment can lead to safer and more effective care for cancer patients who are at risk of developing blood clots.
Who this helps: This helps patients with cancer and their doctors in making safer treatment decisions.
Results of the Italian cross-sectional web-based survey "Nutrition and breast cancer, what would you like to know?" An attempt to collect and respond to patients' information needs, through social media.
2024
Frontiers in oncology
Caprara G, Pagan E, Titta L, Tieri M, Magionesi G +4 more
Plain English This study looked at what breast cancer survivors in Italy want to know about nutrition and its impact on their health. Out of 1,616 respondents, 71.7% had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and a significant number wanted accurate information about how diet could affect their treatment and chances of surviving. Notably, 95.8% wanted information from their doctors, and 88.8% from nutrition experts, highlighting a strong demand for reliable guidance to improve their quality of life.
Who this helps: This helps breast cancer survivors seeking reliable nutrition information for better health management.
Comparative Efficacy of Classic Versus Horizontal Incision Techniques in Skin-Reducing Mastectomy: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis.
2024
Journal of clinical medicine
Lisa AVE, Mela A, Miranda S, Alessandri Bonetti M, Bottoni M +4 more
Plain English This study compared two surgical methods for reducing large breasts: the classic inverted T incision and the horizontal incision. It looked at 24 patients who had surgery between 2019 and 2023, finding that the inverted T technique had more complications, like fluid buildup and skin problems, than the horizontal method. Although patient satisfaction was slightly higher with the horizontal approach, the differences weren't large enough to be statistically important.
Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing breast reduction surgeries.
Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2024
European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society
Possenti I, Romelli M, Carreras G, Biffi A, Bagnardi V +3 more
Plain English This research examined how exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) affects the risk of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. The analysis included 97 studies and found that overall, SHS exposure increases the risk of lung cancer by 24%, with higher risks depending on the setting – for example, exposure at home raised the risk by 20%, while exposure at work increased it by 38%. This information is crucial because it highlights the serious health risks associated with second-hand smoke, helping to support policies for smoke-free environments.
Who this helps: Patients and their families concerned about lung cancer risk, as well as public health officials and lawmakers.
Influence of Breast Density and Menopausal Status on Background Parenchymal Enhancement in Contrast-Enhanced Mammography: Insights from a Retrospective Analysis.
2024
Cancers
Nicosia L, Mariano L, Mallardi C, Sorce A, Frassoni S +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how breast density and whether a woman is pre- or post-menopausal affect a specific feature seen in contrast-enhanced mammography, called background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), in 116 women with confirmed breast cancer. The researchers found that higher breast density and being pre-menopausal were linked to greater levels of BPE, with 90% of women in the highest density group showing moderate to marked BPE. This matters because understanding these factors can help doctors interpret mammograms more accurately and may serve as a risk marker for certain patient groups.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with dense breasts and those who are pre-menopausal, as it can lead to better diagnostic outcomes.
Carcinoid heart disease in patients with advanced small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome: a retrospective experience from two European referral centers.
2024
ESMO open
Algeri L, Falkman L, Spada F, Frassoni S, Bagnardi V +15 more
Plain English This study looked at patients with advanced small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) who also had carcinoid syndrome (CS) to determine how many developed carcinoid heart disease (CHD) and how it affected their survival. Out of 165 patients, 25% developed CHD, which significantly decreased their overall survival; those with CHD had an average survival time of 4.5 years after diagnosis, compared to a 5-year survival rate of only 34%. This matters because it highlights the need for regular screening for heart issues in these patients to manage their health better.
Who this helps: This information helps patients with SI-NETs and their doctors.
Gastric neuroendocrine tumors: 20-Year experience in a reference center.
2024
Journal of neuroendocrinology
Ravizza D, Giunta M, Sala I, Bagnardi V, Tamayo D +10 more
Plain English This study looked at how doctors have treated gastric neuroendocrine tumors (gNETs) over 20 years, focusing on different treatments and their outcomes. Among 69 patients, most were treated endoscopically, with 293 tumors being removed—74% with forceps, and the other methods showing no significant differences in success rates. Importantly, no patients died from gNETs during the follow-up period, but 60% of those with Type 1 tumors developed new tumors.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with gastric neuroendocrine tumors and their doctors by providing insights on effective treatment strategies.