G. Paone

Dr. G. Paone

Clinic of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 January 2021 in Thyroid®
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LCLuca Ceriani
Luca Ceriani
LMLisa Milan
Lisa Milan
CVCamilla Virili
Camilla Virili
Luciano CascioneLuciano Cascione
Luciano Cascione
G. PaoneG. Paone
G. Paone
LGLuca Giovanella
Luca Giovanella
Background: [ 18 F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid thyroid lesions incidentally detected on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans represent a tumor lesion in about 30% of cases. The present study evaluated the ability of PET metrics and radiomics features to predict final diagnosis of [ 18 F]FDG thyroid incidentalomas (TIs). Methods: A total of 104 patients with 107 TIs were retrospectively studied; 30 nodules (28%) were diagnosed as malignant. After volumetric segmentation of each thyroid lesion, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), standardized uptake values (SUVs), and metabolic heterogeneity were estimated, and 107 radiomics features were extracted following a standard protocol. Results: MTV, TLG, SUVmax, SUVmean, and SUVpeak among functional PET parameters, and gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)_InverseDifferenceMoment, shape_Sphericity, GLCM_SumSquares, firstorder_Maximum2DDiameterSlice, firstorder_Energy, and GLCM_Contrast among nonredundant radiomics features, showed significantly different values between malignant and benign TIs (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.01 for all). Univariate logistic regression revealed that these parameters demonstrated good ability to predict final diagnosis of TIs ( p < 0.02 for all). Shape_Sphericity was the best predictor classifying 82% of TIs correctly ( p < 0.0001). Only TLG, SUVmax, and shape_Sphericity retained significance ( p < 0.0001) by multivariate analysis. Malignant lesion prevalence increased from 7% to 100% in accordance with the number (score, 0–3) of the three positive parameters present (χ 2 trend, p < 0.0001). A score of 0 excludes malignant TIs with a negative predictive value of 93%, while a score of 3 predicted malignancy with a positive predictive value of 100%. Conclusions: PET metrics and radiomics analysis can improve identification of [ 18 F]FDG-avid TIs at high risk of malignancy. A model based on TLG, SUVmax, and shape_Sphericity may allow prediction of a final diagnosis, providing useful information for the management of TIs.

8 April 2020 in Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
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Journal Article
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PTPierpaolo Trimboli
Pierpaolo Trimboli
LKL. Knappe
L. Knappe
Giorgio TregliaGiorgio Treglia
Giorgio Treglia
TRT. Ruberto
T. Ruberto
Arnoldo PiccardoArnoldo Piccardo
Arnoldo Piccardo
LGLuca Giovanella
Luca Giovanella

18 June 2025 in Cancers
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Journal Article
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BMBarbara Muoio
Barbara Muoio
CICesare Michele Iacovitti
Cesare Michele Iacovitti
DBDavide Giovanni Bosetti
Davide Giovanni Bosetti
Maddalena SansoviniMaddalena Sansovini
Maddalena Sansovini
Marco CuzzocreaMarco Cuzzocrea
Marco Cuzzocrea
Giorgio TregliaGiorgio Treglia
Giorgio Treglia
Background: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) could be a therapeutic option for patients with advanced, recurrent or progressing meningiomas overexpressing somatostatin receptors. The aim of this study is to perform an updated meta-analysis to establish the disease control rate of PRRT in these patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of studies on PRRT in patients with advanced, recurrent or progressing meningioma was carried out. Four different databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Google Scholar) were screened until April 2025. Only original articles about PRRT in advanced, progressive or refractory meningiomas were selected. Case reports were excluded. Three review authors independently performed the literature search, the article selection and the data extraction. Main findings of eligible studies were summarized and a proportion meta-analysis on the disease control rate was carried out using a random-effects model. Results: In total, 18 studies (269 patients) published from 2006 to 2025 were included in the analysis. In most of the included studies, PRRT was performed using [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE. The pooled disease control rate was 67.7% (95% confidence interval values: 59.6–75.7%). PRRT was well-tolerated in most patients with advanced, recurrent or progressive meningioma. Moderate statistical heterogeneity was found in the meta-analysis (I-square: 53%). Conclusions: PRRT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with advanced, progressive or recurrent meningiomas, showing a significant disease control rate (in about two-thirds of patients). Even if well-designed clinical trials are needed to corroborate these findings, evidence-based data seem to support the clinical use of PRRT for this indication.

17 July 2024 in Diagnostics
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Journal Article
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CICesare Michele Iacovitti
Cesare Michele Iacovitti
Marco CuzzocreaMarco Cuzzocrea
Marco Cuzzocrea
LGLauro Gianola
Lauro Gianola
G. PaoneG. Paone
G. Paone
Giorgio TregliaGiorgio Treglia
Giorgio Treglia
Here, we describe the case of a 43-year-old male patient with a metastatic parathyroid carcinoma who underwent dual-tracer whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [18F]fluorocholine and fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) for staging. [18F]FDG PET/CT detected multiple cervical and mediastinal lymph nodal lesions with increased tracer uptake, whereas [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT detected increased tracer uptake on cervical and mediastinal lymph nodal lesions and bone and lung lesions with a better evaluation of metastatic spread. Due to these imaging findings, the patient underwent systemic treatment with chemotherapy. This case demonstrates the added value of dual-tracer PET/CT in this rare metastatic tumor.

13 May 2025 in Cancers
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Marco CuzzocreaMarco Cuzzocrea
Marco Cuzzocrea
RMRosa Di Micco
Rosa Di Micco
GCGiorgia Elisabeth Colombo
Giorgia Elisabeth Colombo
SRStefania Rizzo
Stefania Rizzo
G. PaoneG. Paone
G. Paone
MGMaria Luisa Gasparri
Maria Luisa Gasparri
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Estrogen receptor (ER) status is a key determinant in the diagnosis and treatment of BC. Although immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the gold standard for ER assessment, it has limitations. This umbrella review aims to evaluate the role of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-estradiol ([18F]FES) PET/CT as a non-invasive imaging tool for assessing ER expression and its implications in BC management. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library for systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in the last decade. Studies eligible for inclusion evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of [18F]FES PET/CT in BC based on a predefined research question “What is the role of fluoroestradiol ([18F]FES) PET/CT in breast cancer?”. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Results: Eight systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. [18F]FES PET/CT demonstrated high sensitivity (81–94%) and specificity (78–95%) in detecting ER-positive lesions. It provided a real-time, whole-body assessment of ER expression, outperforming IHC in detecting functional ER activity. Additionally, [18F]FES PET/CT showed promise in predicting treatment response and guiding therapy decisions, particularly in metastatic settings. Conclusions: This review highlights the clinical value of [18F]FES PET/CT in BC management, offering a non-invasive alternative for ER assessment with high diagnostic accuracy. Its integration into clinical practice may enhance personalized treatment strategies for BC patients.

24 July 2025 in Medicina
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Journal Article
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ARAlessio Rizzo
Alessio Rizzo
AIAlessio Imperiale
Alessio Imperiale
Salvatore AnnunziataSalvatore Annunziata
Salvatore Annunziata
RBRoberto Delgado Bolton
Roberto Delgado Bolton
Domenico AlbanoDomenico Albano
Domenico Albano
Giorgio TregliaGiorgio Treglia
Giorgio Treglia
Background and Objectives: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) using radiopharmaceuticals labelled with Lutetium-177 is currently a therapeutic option for patients with advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms overexpressing somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). One promising option that has gained interest for PRRT is using alpha-emitting radioisotopes such as Actinium-225. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of radioligand therapy with Actinium-225 DOTATATE in advanced, metastatic or inoperable neuroendocrine neoplasms. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of studies on radioligand therapy with Actinium-225 DOTATATE in neuroendocrine neoplasms was carried out. Three different bibliographic databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed/MEDLINE) were screened up to May 2025. Eligible articles were selected, relevant data were extracted, and the main findings on efficacy and safety are summarized through a systematic review. Furthermore, proportional meta-analyses on the disease response rate and disease control rate were performed. Results: Five studies (153 patients) published from 2020 were included in the systematic review. The pooled disease response rate and disease control rate of radioligand therapy using Actinium-225 DOTATATE were 51.6% and 88%, respectively. This treatment was well-tolerated in most patients with advanced, metastatic or inoperable neuroendocrine neoplasms. Conclusions: Radioligand therapy with Actinium-225 DOTATATE in advanced, metastatic or inoperable neuroendocrine neoplasms is effective with an acceptable toxicity profile and potential advantages compared with SSTR-ligands labelled with Lutetium-177. Currently, the number of published studies on this treatment is still limited, and results from multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to translate this therapeutic option into clinical practice.