Description

Identification of clinical, histopathological, bio humoral, molecular-genetic, and imaging biomarkers and application of new technologies for their detection to improve diagnosis, prognostic classification, and therapy management in patients with cutaneous malignancies.

Evaluation of new targeted therapies for different stages of the disease and, in particular, for advanced stages, investigating their efficacy and safety, possible combinations, and characterizing their mechanism of action.

These lines of research will be applied to dermatologic neoplasms, rare diseases with dermato-oncologic predisposition, and rare cancers.

Precision medicine has revolutionized the approach to cancer diagnosis and therapy in dermato-oncology as well. It requires the study of specific characteristics of the patient and the disease, defining important biomarkers for personalized therapy.

Radiomics is emerging in the field of precision medicine, allowing noninvasive characterization of tissues and, in some cases, visualization of morphological differences in tumors and their surroundings. Similarly, in the field of digital pathology, online archiving of digital slides enables the use of deep learning and artificial intelligence applications. In the near future, it is hoped that the data collected can provide decision support for clinical practice.

Over the past 20 years, we have seen an extraordinary implementation of imaging techniques in dermatology. The current topics of greatest interest are the early diagnosis of skin cancers, essential digital parameters, and the implementation of artificial intelligence in image-assisted diagnostics.

Until 15 years ago, the therapeutic strategies available for advanced skin cancers allowed modest disease control. Since 2011, the history of melanoma and, more recently, nonmelanoma skin cancers has changed with the introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Objectivies

• Identification of clinical, genetic, bio humoral and molecular biomarkers;
• Development of multiparametric artificial intelligence models including radiological imaging (radiomics) or digital pathology data and clinical-laboratory data;
• Implementation of early diagnosis and follow-up of patients with skin cancers, with particular reference to patients with genetic susceptibility, using non-invasive imaging methods;
• Evaluation of efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of new therapeutic strategies in dermato-oncology and characterization of skin toxicities from oncological drugs.

Annual objectivies

In addition to what was said above:

1. Increase in the number of scientific publications of the Institute about this field in indexed journals.
2. Activation of clinical trials (single-centre and/or multi-centre), both as a Coordinating Center and as a Partner, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of new therapeutic approaches and identify new prognostic and risk factors for skin cancers.
3. Establishment of National and International Research Networks also measurable in number of co-development contracts.
4. Application for and/or winning of competitive grants.
5. Specialist ECM training on site and/or externally for the dissemination of the scientific results of projects relating to the Research line (training courses, conferences, plenary lectures, etc.).
6. Increase in the number of funding from public and/or private entities for research projects relating to the Research line.