ROMA (ITALPRESS) – In the latest episode of the Science Calling podcast, the starting point is an act of reading: revisiting an ancient work and recognizing, in the depicted body, a sign that we can interpret today. From that image, the episode shifts to the field in which oncology operates daily, navigating through cellular biology, diagnostics, and evidence-based therapeutic choices. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Amazon Music, Science Calling is hosted by Myrta Merlino and produced and post-produced by Edulia, in collaboration with Sapere Treccani. The conversation features guest Domenica Lorusso, Head of Oncological Gynecology at Humanitas San Pio X and Full Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Humanitas University. The discussion, made possible by the non-restrictive support of AbbVie, delves into contemporary oncology, which today differentiates tumors based on specific biological and clinical characteristics: histological type, genetic alterations, receptors present on tumor cells, and the overall condition of the patient. These factors dictate therapeutic strategy choices. Thus, the personalization of treatments is presented as a process that integrates molecular data and clinical evaluation, directly influencing the organization of the treatment pathway.
The focal point of the episode is dedicated to ovarian cancer, a neoplasm often diagnosed late, with non-specific symptoms and the absence of a validated screening program for the general population. The standard treatment in advanced stages is reconstructed, addressing the recurrence theme, leading to a key issue that influences subsequent choices: platinum-resistance, which is linked to a reduction in available options and increased management complexity. In this stage, clinical research directly enters the patient’s journey, either through enrollment in studies or through the integration of biomolecular assessments aimed at guiding targeted strategies.
Within this context, the role of biomarkers emerges as stratification and selection tools, distinguishing between prognostic and predictive indicators. The functioning of antibody-drug conjugates is also explored, a technology that combines an antibody capable of recognizing tumor cells with a chemotherapy molecule. This approach aims to deliver treatment directly to the target cell and release it within, making the therapeutic action more targeted and reducing exposure of healthy cells. Therefore, the episode emphasizes the importance of promptly integrating the necessary tests to identify molecular targets and ensuring appropriate access to available therapeutic options, especially when efficacy is also measured by the timing of clinical decisions.
The dialogue then extends to artificial intelligence tools applied to the interpretation of clinical and biological data, including digital pathology, identified as a support in the quantitative reading of biomarker positivity and in building predictive models. In the background remains a clear research objective for ovarian cancer: to accelerate diagnosis, even through approaches like liquid biopsy and circulating tumor DNA. In closing, a principle that runs through the entire care pathway is highlighted: quality of life as an essential component of therapeutic strategy and the need for pathways that integrate specialized competences, clinical research, and continuous care.
-photo courtesy of Esperia Advocacy –
(ITALPRESS).
