Giovanna Scarfone

Dr. Giovanna Scarfone


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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1 August 2018 in Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PVPaolo Pietro Vercellini
Paolo Pietro Vercellini
Paola Vigano'Paola Vigano'
Paola Vigano'
Laura BuggioLaura Buggio
Laura Buggio
SMSofia Makieva
Sofia Makieva
GSGiovanna Scarfone
Giovanna Scarfone
ESEdgardo Somigliana
Edgardo Somigliana

1 February 2016 in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MTMarta Tagliabue
Marta Tagliabue
SEShimaa Hassan Elrefaey
Shimaa Hassan Elrefaey
Fedro Alessandro Alessandro PeccatoriFedro Alessandro Alessandro Peccatori
Fedro Alessandro Alessandro Peccatori
Gianfranco FaviaGianfranco Favia
Gianfranco Favia
VNValeria Navach
Valeria Navach
LCLuca Calabrese
Luca Calabrese

18 May 2020 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HBHadas Bar-Joseph
Hadas Bar-Joseph
Fedro Alessandro Alessandro PeccatoriFedro Alessandro Alessandro Peccatori
Fedro Alessandro Alessandro Peccatori
IBIrit Ben-Aharon
Irit Ben-Aharon
FCFulvia Milena Cribiù
Fulvia Milena Cribiù
GSGiovanna Scarfone
Giovanna Scarfone
Irit Ben-AharonIrit Ben-Aharon
Irit Ben-Aharon
Breast cancer is diagnosed in ~0.3% of pregnant women. Studies that have addressed gestational and neonatal outcomes of chemotherapy during pregnancy have demonstrated increased gestational complications including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. We hypothesized that anthracycline-induced gestational complications could be derived from direct toxicity on the placenta vasculature. Pregnant ICR mice (day E12.5) were treated with doxorubicin (DXR; 8 mg/kg) or saline, while their umbilical cord blood flow was imaged by pulse-wave (PW) Doppler. Mice were euthanized on day E18.5, and their embryos and placentae were collected for further analysis. Unlike control mice, the DXR-treated mice presented an acute change in the umbilical cord’s blood flow parameters (velocity time integral and heart rate interval), reduced embryos’ weight, reduced placenta efficiency, and modulation in vascular-related pathways of treated placenta proteomics. Apoptosis and proliferation were also enhanced, as demonstrated by TUNEL and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) analysis. We further examined the placentae of patients treated with epirubicin (EPI), who had been diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy (weeks 27–35). The immunohistochemistry of the EPI-treated human placentae showed enhanced proliferation and apoptosis as compared with matched chemo-naïve placentae, as well as reduced neovascularization (CD34). Our findings suggest that anthracycline-induced vascular insult promotes placental toxicity, and could point to potential agents designated to offset the damage and to reduce gestational complications in pregnant cancer patients.