Sergio Rizzo

Dr. Sergio Rizzo

Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS – ISMETT, Palermo, Italy

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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10 December 2024 in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LPLavinia Piazza
Lavinia Piazza
ACAnna Carollo
Anna Carollo
EMEnrica Di Martino
Enrica Di Martino
MNMaria Eugenia Novara
Maria Eugenia Novara
SCSofia Cutaia
Sofia Cutaia
SRSergio Rizzo
Sergio Rizzo

3 May 2025 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MGMatteo Gallina
Matteo Gallina
ACAnna Carollo
Anna Carollo
AGAnna Gallina
Anna Gallina
SCSofia Cutaia
Sofia Cutaia
SRSergio Rizzo
Sergio Rizzo
APAlessio Provenzani
Alessio Provenzani
Background/Objectives: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–90% of all lung cancers. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) represent an expanding targeted therapy option for the treatment of NSCLC. The aim is to perform a systematic literature review to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of ADCs currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of NSCLC. Methods: The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, ClinicalTrial.gov and Web of Science databases, covering the period from 2014 to 2024. Only randomized and non-randomized phase II-IV clinical trials focusing on ADC-based therapies for adult patients affected by NSCLC were selected. The Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB 2.0) and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) were used to evaluate the overall risk of bias in the included randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. While GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) methodology was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Efficacy endpoints were categorized based on primary outcomes while safety was assessed through the frequency and severity of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs), and a qualitative summary of the findings was conducted. Results: A total of seven studies, including three randomized, three non-randomized, and one without specific allocation, were included, comprising 1287 patients, with 693 (54%) men, and an average age of 63 years old. Two studies were deemed to have a low risk of bias, while six had a moderate risk or some concerns. Five ADCs were evaluated: trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), telisotuzumab vedotin, patritumab deruxtecan, and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd). T-DXd demonstrated superior efficacy in HER2-overexpressing and HER2-mutant NSCLC, with an ORR of 52.9% and 49.0%, respectively. However, HER2-mutant patients exhibited a longer median DOR (16.8 vs. 6.2 months) but a higher incidence of grade ≥ 3 TEAEs (38.6% vs. 22%). T-DM1 showed modest efficacy, with an ORR of 20% in HER2-overexpressing NSCLC and 6.7% in HER2-mutant patients. Dato-DXd demonstrated improved ORR (26.4% vs. 12.8%) and PFS (4.4 vs. 3.7 months) compared to docetaxel. Patritumab deruxtecan achieved an ORR of 39% in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, while telisotuzumab vedotin exhibited limited activity in c-MET-positive NSCLC (ORR 9%, median DOR 7.5 months). Frequency and severity of TEAEs varied across ADCs, with ILD being a major concern, highlighting the need for strict patient monitoring and early intervention to mitigate severe adverse events. Conclusions: ADCs represent a promising advancement in NSCLC treatment, offering targeted therapeutic options beyond conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy. T-DXd has emerged as the most effective ADC for HER2-mutant NSCLC with manageable safety profile, whereas Dato-DXd provides a viable alternative for TROP2-expressing tumors. While ADCs offer significant clinical benefits, careful patient selection and proactive management of adverse events remain crucial. Ongoing and future trials will further refine the role of ADCs in personalized NSCLC treatment, potentially expanding their tumor-agnostic use to broader patient populations.

20 July 2022 in Proteomes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DSDonatella Pia Spanò
Donatella Pia Spanò
SBSimone Bonelli
Simone Bonelli
MCMatteo Calligaris
Matteo Calligaris
ACAnna Paola Carreca
Anna Paola Carreca
CCClaudia Carcione
Claudia Carcione
Simone D. ScilabraSimone D. Scilabra
Simone D. Scilabra
Chondrosarcoma is the second most common bone tumor, accounting for 20% of all cases. Little is known about the pathology and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and in the metastatic process of chondrosarcoma. As a consequence, there are no approved therapies for this tumor and surgical resection is the only treatment currently available. Moreover, there are no available biomarkers for this type of tumor, and chondrosarcoma classification relies on operator-dependent histopathological assessment. Reliable biomarkers of chondrosarcoma are urgently needed, as well as greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of its development for translational purposes. Hypoxia is a central feature of chondrosarcoma progression. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment of chondrosarcoma triggers a number of cellular events, culminating in increased invasiveness and migratory capability. Herein, we analyzed the effects of chemically-induced hypoxia on the secretome of SW 1353, a human chondrosarcoma cell line, using high-resolution quantitative proteomics. We found that hypoxia induced unconventional protein secretion and the release of proteins associated to exosomes. Among these proteins, which may be used to monitor chondrosarcoma development, we validated the increased secretion in response to hypoxia of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme well-known for its different functional roles in a wide range of tumors. In conclusion, by analyzing the changes induced by hypoxia in the secretome of chondrosarcoma cells, we identified molecular mechanisms that can play a role in chondrosarcoma progression and pinpointed proteins, including GAPDH, that may be developed as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of chondrosarcoma.