Elisabetta Magnaterra

Dr. Elisabetta Magnaterra

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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18 November 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Federico VenturiFederico Venturi
Federico Venturi
GVGiulia Veronesi
Giulia Veronesi
AGAlberto Gualandi
Alberto Gualandi
EMElisabetta Magnaterra
Elisabetta Magnaterra
BSBiagio Scotti
Biagio Scotti
Emi DikaEmi Dika
Emi Dika
Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its biological heterogeneity and the subjective interpretation of histopathologic criteria. While early and accurate diagnosis remains critical for patient outcomes, conventional pathology is limited by interobserver variability and diagnostic ambiguity, especially in borderline lesions. Objective: This narrative review explores the integration of digital pathology (DP) and artificial intelligence (AI)—including deep learning (DL), machine learning (ML), and interpretable models—into the histopathologic workflow for CM diagnosis. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2013–2025) for studies using whole slide imaging (WSI) and AI to assist melanoma diagnosis. We categorized findings across five domains: WSI-based classification models, feature extraction (e.g., mitoses, ulceration), spatial modeling and TIL analysis, molecular prediction (e.g., BRAF mutation), and interpretable pipelines based on nuclei morphology. Results: We included 87 studies with diverse AI methodologies. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) achieved diagnostic accuracy comparable to expert dermatopathologists. U-Net and Mask R-CNN models enabled robust detection of critical histologic features, while nuclei-level analyses offered explainable classification strategies. Spatial and morphometric modeling allowed quantification of tumor–immune interactions, and select models inferred molecular alterations directly from H&E slides. However, generalizability remains limited due to small, homogeneous datasets and lack of external validation. Conclusions: AI-enhanced digital pathology holds transformative potential in CM diagnosis, offering accuracy, reproducibility, and interpretability. Yet, clinical integration requires multicentric validation, standardized protocols, and attention to workflow, ethical, and medico-legal challenges. Future developments, including multimodal AI and integration into molecular tumor boards, may redefine diagnostic precision in melanoma.

10 October 2025 in Dermatology and Therapy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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GAGianluca Avallone
Gianluca Avallone
ABAndrea Bombelli
Andrea Bombelli
Luigi GargiuloLuigi Gargiulo
Luigi Gargiulo
CFCATERINA FOTI
CATERINA FOTI
ITIlaria Trave
Ilaria Trave
Silvia Mariel FerrucciSilvia Mariel Ferrucci
Silvia Mariel Ferrucci
Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly affects the quality of life (QoL). Lebrikizumab, a biologic drug targeting interleukin-13, demonstrated efficacy and safety in clinical trials. However, real-world data remain limited, largely restricted to Asian populations. Methods This 16-week retrospective multicenter study included 78 adults from a predominantly white cohort with moderate-to-severe AD treated with lebrikizumab throughout 2024. Patients were both naïve and experienced with biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors (bio/JAKi-naïve or -experienced). The primary outcome for disease severity and therapeutic response was measured using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Secondary outcomes included the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), itch- and sleep-numerical rating scales (NRS), body surface area (BSA), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT) and minimal disease activity (MDA) were used to estimate disease control, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales to monitor mental health status. Results At week 16, benefits in disease severity were observed for EASI (− 15.8 ± 9.4, p < 0.0001) and EASI head and neck (− 2.0 ± 1.7, p < 0.0001). QoL significantly improved in 70% of patients (DLQI reduction of − 12.6 ± 9.3, p < 0.0001), accompanied by decreased pruritus (Itch-NRS reduction of − 4.6 ± 3.2, p < 0.0001) and better sleep quality (sleep-NRS reduction of − 4.1 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001). A 76% reduction in BSA score was recorded, 85% of subjects improved their IGA index, with 62% achieving a score of 0–1, and SCORAD and POEM assessments significantly improved (p < 0.0001). Patients perceived a better control of the disease (ADCT, − 10.9 ± 7.1, p < 0.0001), and 14% of patients achieved MDA. Anxiety and depression levels decreased. Four mild adverse events were registered. Conclusions This is one of the first real-world multicenter studies in a predominantly adult white population showing that lebrikizumab is effective, safe and improves symptoms, QoL, and mental health in moderate-to-severe AD bio/JAKi-naïve and -experienced patients.

18 March 2023 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VGVincenzo de Giorgi
Vincenzo de Giorgi
EMElisabetta Magnaterra
Elisabetta Magnaterra
BZBiancamaria Zuccaro
Biancamaria Zuccaro
SMSerena Magi
Serena Magi
MMManfredi Magliulo
Manfredi Magliulo
PCPiero Covarelli
Piero Covarelli
Purpose: To improve the diagnostic accuracy and optimal management of pediatric melanomas. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive, multicenter study of the epidemiological, clinical, and dermoscopic characteristics of histopathologically proven melanomas diagnosed in patients less than 18 years old. Data on sociodemographic variables, clinical and dermoscopic characteristics, histopathology, local extension, therapy and follow-up, lymph node staging, and outcome were collected from the databases of three Italian dermatology units. We performed a clinical evaluation of the morphological characteristics of each assessed melanoma, using both classic ABCDE criteria and the modified ABCDE algorithm for pediatric melanoma to evaluate which of the two algorithms best suited our series. Results: The study population consisted of 39 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of pediatric melanoma. Comparing classic ABCDE criteria with the modified ABCDE algorithm for pediatric melanomas, the modified pediatric ABCDE algorithm was less sensitive than the conventional criteria. Dermoscopically, the most frequent finding was the presence of irregular streaks/pseudopods (74.4%). When evaluating the total number of different suspicious dermoscopy criteria per lesion, 64.1% of the lesion assessments recognized two dermoscopic characteristics, 20.5% identified three, and 15.4% documented four or more assessments. Conclusions: Contrary to what has always been described in the literature, from a clinical point of view, about 95% of our cases presented in a pigmented and non-amelanotic form, and these data must be underlined in the various prevention campaigns where pediatric melanoma is currently associated with a more frequently amelanotic form. All the pediatric melanomas analyzed presented at least two dermoscopic criteria of melanoma, suggesting that this could be a key for the dermoscopic diagnosis of suspected pediatric melanoma, making it possible to reach an early diagnosis even in this age group.

11 June 2024 in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SFSilvia Ferrucci
Silvia Ferrucci
STSimona Tavecchio
Simona Tavecchio
CMCarlo Alberto Maronese
Carlo Alberto Maronese
ABAnna Balato
Anna Balato
EBEugenia Veronica Di Brizzi
Eugenia Veronica Di Brizzi
AMAngelo Valerio Marzano
Angelo Valerio Marzano
Background: The efficacy and safety of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis (AD) have been defined in clinical trials but limited real-world evidence on long-term treatment outcomes is currently available to inform clinical decisions. Objectives: To describe the long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab up to 48 months in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods: A multicentre, retrospective, dynamic cohort study was conducted to assess long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with moderate-to-severe AD in a real-world setting. Predictors of minimal disease activity (MDA) optimal treatment target criteria [defined as the simultaneous achievement of a 90% reduction in Eczema Area and Severity Index score, itch-numeric rating scale (NRS) score ≤ 1, sleep-NRS score ≤ 1 and Dermatology Life Quality Index ≤ 1] were investigated. Results: In total, 2576 patients were enrolled from June 2018 to July 2022. MDA optimal treatment target criteria were achieved by 506/2309 (21.9%), 769/1959 (39.3%), 628/1247 (50.4%), 330/596 (55.4%) and 58/106 (54.7%) of those that reached 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of follow-up, respectively. Logistic regression revealed a negative effect on MDA achievement for conjunctivitis and food allergy at all timepoints. Adverse events (AEs) were mild and were observed in 373/2364 (15.8%), 166/2066 (8.0%), 83/1291 (6.4%), 27/601 (4.5%) and 5/110 (4.5%) of those that reached 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of follow-up. Conjunctivitis was the most frequently reported AE during the available follow-up. AEs led to treatment discontinuation in < 1% of patients during the evaluated time periods. Conclusions: The high long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab were confirmed in this dynamic cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe AD, regardless of clinical phenotype and course (persisting or relapsing) at baseline. Further research will be needed to investigate the effect of T helper cell 2 comorbidities and disease duration on the response to dupilumab and other newer therapeutics for AD.

21 November 2023 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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FSFederica Serino
Federica Serino
VDValeria Dattilo
Valeria Dattilo
MCMichela Cennamo
Michela Cennamo
ARAnna Maria Roszkowska
Anna Maria Roszkowska
MGMassimo Gola
Massimo Gola
RMRita Mencucci
Rita Mencucci
Purpose: To describe the clinical and morphologic changes in the ocular surface microstructure of patients affected with moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD) before and during Dupilumab treatment. Methods: This is a monocentric observational study on thirty-three patients affected with AD before and during Dupilumab treatment. All patients underwent a slit-lamp examination: complete clinical assessment, Break Up Time test (BUT), Schirmer test, and corneal staining grading (Oxford scale) were performed. Meibomian Glands Dysfunction (MGD) evaluation (Meibography), Non-invasive Keratograph Break Up Time test (NIKBUT), Tear Meniscus Height (TMH), and ocular Redness Score (RS) have been investigated using an OCULUS Keratograph. In vivo images of the conjunctiva, cornea, and meibomian glands have been acquired by confocal microscopy. Results: Sixty-six eyes were included in our study: twenty-two eyes of 11 naive patients with indication for treatment but not in therapy yet (Group 1) and forty-four eyes of 22 patients treated with Dupilumab for at least 4 months (subcutaneous administration of 300 mg every 2 weeks) (Group 2). Either patients treated with Dupilumab or naive patients with moderate-to-severe forms of AD had a tear film instability (TBUT and NIKBUT reduced), whereas the quantity of the tear film was overall normal (Schirmer test and TMH), without statistically significant differences between the two groups. When Meibography was performed with the Keratograph, the difference between Group 1 and Group 2 was statistically significant in terms of Meiboscore (p = 0.0043 and p = 0.0242, respectively), as well as the difference in terms of mean RS. These results paired well with the confocal microscopy results in which we found a decrease in the goblet cell population in the conjunctival epithelium in the treated group (5.2 cells/mm), along with inflammatory cells that were more concentrated around the adenoid lumina of the meibomian glands. Conclusions: In recent years, the use of Dupilumab has been increasing, but mild-to-severe conjunctivitis is a common side effect. Our major results demonstrate a loss of meibomian glands at the Keratograph examination: we can assume a reduced meibum secretion and an evaporative dry eye with MGD. We suggest that the inflammation of the ocular surface may involve not only the cornea and the conjunctiva, but also the meibomian glands, and Dupilumab may play a role. However, the frequency of clear conjunctivitis is not as common as reported in the literature.

17 April 2025 in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Luigi GargiuloLuigi Gargiulo
Luigi Gargiulo
SFSilvia M. Ferrucci
Silvia M. Ferrucci
Luciano IbbaLuciano Ibba
Luciano Ibba
RIRuggero Cascio Ingurgio
Ruggero Cascio Ingurgio
AAAngela Alfano
Angela Alfano
ANAlessandra Narcisi
Alessandra Narcisi