Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment – Diagnosis
At Ospedale San Raffaele the hematology unit applies state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic tools to identify early signs of blood disorders and solid malignancies, supporting precise trial enrollment and real‑time monitoring.
- Advanced imaging for liver fibrosis
- Molecular sequencing for lymphoma subtypes
- Blood‑based biomarkers for early cancer detection
- Digital pathology integration
- Point‑of‑care testing for metabolic markers
The goal is to improve patient selection, track therapeutic response, and speed up evaluation of new interventions across diverse therapeutic areas.
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses
Research at San Raffaele includes trials that assess novel antimicrobial strategies for resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens, especially in immunocompromised oncology patients.
- Multidrug‑resistant Gram‑negative infections
- Invasive candidiasis in hematologic malignancy
- Antifungal prophylaxis for stem‑cell transplant recipients
- Novel bacteriophage therapy for bloodstream infections
- Combination antibiotics for complicated abdominal sepsis
These studies aim to reduce infection‑related morbidity and improve outcomes for patients receiving intensive cancer therapies.
Cardiovascular Diseases
The site conducts investigations into cardiovascular risk reduction, integrating oncology and cardiology expertise to address cardio‑oncology challenges.
- Primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
- Impact of lipid‑lowering agents on patients with metabolic syndrome
- Cardiac safety of novel immunotherapies
- Management of hypertension in cancer survivors
- Evaluation of anti‑platelet strategies after ischemic stroke
The purpose is to test new therapies that lower major adverse cardiovascular events while maintaining cancer treatment efficacy.
Digestive System Diseases
Clinical programs at Ospedale San Raffaele focus on liver and gastrointestinal disorders, especially those linked to metabolic dysfunction and cancer.
- Non‑Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) therapeutic trials
- Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treatment studies
- Targeted therapy for cholangiocarcinoma
- Biomarker‑driven trials in colorectal cancer
- Intervention for ulcerative colitis refractory to standard care
Objectives include testing new drugs, improving disease monitoring, and evaluating combination regimens to enhance survival and quality of life.
Eye Diseases
The ophthalmology collaboration within the hematology department evaluates innovative treatments for retinal vascular and degenerative conditions.
- Intravitreal therapy for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion
- Anti‑VEGF agents for diabetic retinopathy
- Gene‑based therapy for geographic atrophy
- Citrical eye drops to preserve visual fields in glaucoma
- Novel ocular implants for chronic uveitis
These trials aim to preserve vision, reduce disease progression, and assess safety of emerging ocular pharmacotherapies.
Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases
A robust portfolio of hematologic malignancy studies at San Raffaele explores cellular therapies, targeted agents, and novel immunomodulators.
- CAR‑T cell therapy for large B‑cell lymphoma
- Bispecific antibodies in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Targeted inhibitors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Combination regimens for multiple myeloma
- Investigational agents for mantle cell lymphoma
The overarching aim is to improve response rates, extend survival, and reduce treatment‑related toxicity across blood cancers.
Immune System Diseases
Immunology‑focused trials at the hospital address autoimmune conditions and immune‑mediated inflammation, often intersecting with oncology research.
- Secukinumab combined with glucocorticoid taper for polymyalgia rheumatica
- IL‑5 blockade in eosinophilic asthma
- IgG4‑related disease treatment with anti‑CD20 therapy
- Targeted cytokine inhibition in systemic sclerosis
- Novel small molecules for lupus nephritis
These studies seek to assess efficacy, safety, and steroid‑sparing potential of emerging immunotherapies.
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Trials in musculoskeletal health at Ospedale San Raffaele explore disease‑modifying agents for bone and joint disorders.
- Biologic therapy for severe atopic dermatitis
- Novel anti‑resorptive agents for osteoporosis
- Targeted treatment for rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate
- Investigational drugs for ankylosing spondylitis
- Regenerative approaches for osteoarthritis
The purpose is to reduce pain, improve function, and slow structural damage in chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Neoplasms
The oncology program at San Raffaele spans solid tumors and hematologic cancers, emphasizing precision medicine and combination strategies.
- KRASG12C‑targeted therapy in advanced solid tumors
- Immunotherapy plus chemotherapy in triple‑negative breast cancer
- PD‑1 blockade for high‑risk non‑muscle invasive bladder cancer
- FGFR3‑directed agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma
- MET‑amplified non‑small cell lung cancer targeted trial
These investigations aim to increase overall survival, achieve durable responses, and personalize treatment based on molecular profiling.
Nervous System Diseases
Neurological research at the site includes trials for neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders, leveraging multidisciplinary expertise.
- Early Alzheimer’s disease disease‑modifying therapy
- Neuroprotective agent after acute ischemic stroke
- Targeted treatment for H3 K27M‑mutant diffuse glioma
- Adjunctive therapy for mild cognitive impairment
- Innovative approaches for migraine prophylaxis
The goal is to evaluate safety, slow disease progression, and improve functional outcomes for patients with brain disorders.
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
Metabolic health studies at Ospedale San Raffaele focus on obesity, diabetes, and related liver disease, often in conjunction with cardiovascular research.
- Orforglipron versus insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes with obesity
- Inclisiran for primary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events
- Investigational agents for non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Weight‑loss therapies combined with lifestyle counseling
- Metabolic modulation in patients with chronic kidney disease
These trials seek to improve glycemic control, reduce cardiovascular risk, and halt progression of fatty liver disease.
Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms
The hospital evaluates interventions aimed at alleviating symptom burden and disease‑related complications across multiple specialties.
- Therapy to reduce bowel urgency in ulcerative colitis
- Visuospatial field preservation in glaucoma
- Improvement of fatigue in advanced cancer patients
- Management of chronic pain in metastatic bone disease
- Reduction of macular edema swelling after retinal vein occlusion
The intention is to enhance quality of life, functional status, and patient‑reported outcomes during and after treatment.
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Respiratory research at San Raffaele includes studies on viral infections, chronic lung disease, and pulmonary complications of cancer therapy.
- Respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis in immunocompromised adults
- Anti‑viral agents for chronic hepatitis C
- Inhaled therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Management of radiation‑induced pneumonitis
- Bronchoscopic delivery of immunotherapy for lung cancer
These projects aim to prevent infection, improve lung function, and support safe delivery of oncologic treatments.
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Dermatology and rheumatology collaborations at the site test novel agents for inflammatory skin disorders and systemic connective tissue disease.
- Ketotifen ophthalmic solution for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
- Biologic therapy for severe atopic dermatitis
- Targeted treatment for systemic sclerosis lung involvement
- New small molecules for cutaneous lupus erythematosus
- Topical agents for chronic plaque psoriasis
The purpose is to achieve disease control, reduce reliance on steroids, and improve skin and organ health.
Virus Diseases
Viral disease investigations at Ospedale San Raffaele address both chronic infections and emerging viral threats, often intersecting with oncology.
- HBV and HCV antiviral regimens in liver cancer patients
- Therapeutic vaccine for Epstein‑Barr virus‑associated lymphoma
- Antiviral prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus in stem‑cell transplant
- RNA‑based therapy for SARS‑CoV‑2 in immunocompromised hosts
- Novel agents targeting viral oncogenesis pathways
These studies aim to control viral replication, prevent disease reactivation, and explore antiviral effects on tumor biology.
Environment and Public Health
Public health research at the institution focuses on population‑level interventions and environmental factors influencing disease risk.
- Screening programs for early detection of colorectal cancer
- Community outreach for cardiovascular risk reduction
- Assessment of air quality impact on respiratory disease incidence
- Evaluation of vaccination coverage in elderly populations
- Health economics analysis of novel oncology therapies
The objective is to generate evidence that guides policy, improves preventive care, and optimizes resource allocation.
Genetic Phenomena
Genetic research at San Raffaele integrates genomics into trial design, enabling precision targeting of molecular abnormalities.
- Identification of mismatch repair deficiency for immunotherapy eligibility
- BRCA1/2 mutation testing in breast and ovarian cancer trials
- Genomic profiling of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma subtypes
- Targeted sequencing for KRASG12C mutations
- Whole‑exome analysis in rare hereditary metabolic disorders
These efforts aim to match patients with therapies most likely to be effective based on their genetic makeup.
Metabolism
Metabolic studies at the hospital evaluate pathways that drive disease progression and therapeutic response across oncology and chronic disease.
- Metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma
- Glucose‑lowering agents in patients with cancer‑related cachexia
- Lipid metabolism modulation in non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Targeting de novo lipogenesis in KRAS‑mutant tumors
- Biomarker discovery for insulin resistance in obese patients
The aim is to uncover novel targets, improve metabolic health, and enhance the efficacy of concurrent anticancer treatments.
