Description

Neoplastic and degenerative diseases, intraocular and systemic, require continuous research in the diagnostic and prognostic field, such as in the therapeutic monitoring and quantification of organ damage, following the most innovative concepts of precision medicine. They require therapeutic interventions often characterized by significant side effects. The priority of the Research Line is therefore to increase the methods of diagnostic and therapeutic approach of these diseases, through the identification of new disease biomarkers and more conservative treatment protocols and the least disabling possible for the life of the patient.

Introduction

The peculiar anatomical structure of the eye limits diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in ocular oncology, making histological analysis complex and in part limiting the therapeutic approach, with greater risks and side effects. Therefore, therapeutic decisions in this area are mainly related to the clinical evaluation of the ocular oncologist with very limited instrumental support compared to other oncological areas. In addition, despite the constant progress of precision medicine, ocular and systemic neoplastic diseases require therapeutic interventions often characterized by significant side effects. Therefore, while obtaining excellent results in terms of local control of disease, such treatments often result in transient or progressive functional deficits, disabling for the patient.

Rational

Currently, the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in oncology and ocular toxicology are characterized by limitations in terms of instrumental support for diagnosis and monitoring of side effects secondary to therapies. Based on our previous results and the data reported in the literature, the priority of the research line is aimed at the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic factors in intraocular tissues and fluids and at any correlations between these factors and the markers identified in the different pathologies, through a multimodal diagnosis applied not only in the diagnostic phase, pre-treatment, but also in post-treatment for the evaluation of side effects secondary to antineoplastic therapies. Particular attention will be paid to the detection of early biomarkers to prevent the appearance of any side effects following conservative antineoplastic therapies. The identification of more accurate methods could therefore lead to a reduction in the socio-health cost associated with non-specific diagnostic tests and disabling therapies. In addition, the adoption of a targeted personalized diagnostic approach will lead to new therapeutic opportunities and better control of ocular side effects, with reduced visual impairment and improved quality of life in patients.

Objectives

Application and development of precision medicine, increase in overall survival, reduction of visual impairment and improvement of quality of life in patients suffering from neoplastic and degenerative intraocular and systemic diseases, identification and development of innovative and targeted diagnostic and prognostic techniques.

Expected results

1) Application of innovative diagnostic procedures (proteomics, genomics, metabolomics) for the evaluation of the biochemical composition of intraocular fluids in ocular neoplastic and degenerative diseases.

2) Identification and application of new imaging techniques for a more targeted and objective approach to oncological and degenerative eye diseases.

3) Contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of these pathologies to identify effective therapeutic approaches with limited side effects.

4) Identification of new treatment protocols and techniques for the prevention of side effects characterizing some antineoplastic therapies.