Giorgia Speltri

Dr. Giorgia Speltri

Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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29 April 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Luca UrsoLuca Urso
Luca Urso
RNRebecca Napolitano
Rebecca Napolitano
GSGiorgia Speltri
Giorgia Speltri
MTMurat Tuncel
Murat Tuncel
IBIlham Badrane
Ilham Badrane
Alessandra BoschiAlessandra Boschi
Alessandra Boschi
Background/Objectives: Molecular imaging, especially PET, has advanced significantly, shifting from metabolic radiotracers like 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose [18F]FDG to target-specific probes. Among these, αvβ6-integrin has emerged as a promising target in cancer and non-cancer diseases. This review focuses on the radiochemical properties and initial clinical applications of the [68Ga]Ga-Trivehexin PET probe. Methods: The literature review on [68Ga]Ga-Trivehexin systematically evaluated both preclinical and clinical studies, with particular emphasis on its radiochemical characteristics and preliminary clinical applications, while highlighting advancements, associated challenges, and the potential for future developments in the field. Results: This study highlights the significant advancements achieved with [68Ga]Ga-Trivehexin in the field of molecular imaging. The optimized multimeric system has substantially enhanced the radiotracer’s pharmacokinetic properties, binding affinity, and selectivity for αvβ6 integrin, demonstrating up to an 18-fold improvement compared to previous monomeric tracers. The synthesis protocol has been refined to achieve high radiochemical purity (>95%), essential for safe clinical use. Preliminary clinical applications, particularly in head and neck cancer (HNC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), have shown promising results, with high detection rates and improved differential diagnosis compared to [18F]FDG. Furthermore, [68Ga]Ga-Trivehexin PET/CT has shown potential in non-oncological conditions, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and primary hyperthyroidism, suggesting broader clinical applicability. Conclusions: [68Ga]Ga-Trivehexin is a promising PET probe for imaging αvβ6-integrin in cancers and non-oncological diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).

22 June 2023 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SBSilvia Beltrami
Silvia Beltrami
RSRizzo Sabrina
Rizzo Sabrina
GSGiovanna Schiuma
Giovanna Schiuma
GSGiorgia Speltri
Giorgia Speltri
DLDario Di Luca
Dario Di Luca
Daria BortolottiDaria Bortolotti
Daria Bortolotti
Viral infections in pregnancy are major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Infections can develop in the neonate transplacentally, perinatally, or postnatally (from breast milk or other sources) and lead to different clinical manifestations, depending on the viral agent and the gestational age at exposure. Viewing the peculiar tolerogenic status which characterizes pregnancy, viruses could exploit this peculiar immunological status to spread or affect the maternal immune system, adopting several evasion strategies. In fact, both DNA and RNA virus might have a deep impact on both innate and acquired immune systems. For this reason, investigating the interaction with these pathogens and the host’s immune system during pregnancy is crucial not only for the development of most effective therapies and diagnosis but mostly for prevention. In this review, we will analyze some of the most important DNA and RNA viruses related to gestational infections.

28 August 2024 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GSGiorgia Speltri
Giorgia Speltri
FPFrancesca Porto
Francesca Porto
Alessandra BoschiAlessandra Boschi
Alessandra Boschi
Licia UccelliLicia Uccelli
Licia Uccelli
Petra MartiniPetra Martini
Petra Martini
64Cu is gaining recognition not only for its diagnostic capabilities in nuclear medical imaging but also for its therapeutic and theranostic potential. The simultaneous βˉ and Auger emissions of 64Cu can be utilized to induce a therapeutic effect on cancerous lesions. The finding of the exceptional biodistribution characteristics of the radionuclide 64Cu, when administered as basic copper ions, has highlighted its potential therapeutic application in cancer treatment. Preclinical and clinical research on the effectiveness of [64Cu]CuCl2 as a theranostic radiopharmaceutical has commenced only in the past decade. Current clinical studies are increasingly demonstrating the high specificity and uptake of [64Cu]Cu2+ by malignant tissues during early cancer progression, indicating its potential for early cancer diagnosis across various organs. This short review aims to present the latest preclinical studies involving [64Cu]CuCl2, offering valuable insights for researchers planning new in vitro and in vivo studies to explore the theranostic potential of [64Cu]Cu2+.

25 December 2025 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RNRebecca Napolitano
Rebecca Napolitano
GSGiorgia Speltri
Giorgia Speltri
Petra MartiniPetra Martini
Petra Martini
FPFrancesca Porto
Francesca Porto
LMLorenza Marvelli
Lorenza Marvelli
Alessandra BoschiAlessandra Boschi
Alessandra Boschi
Endometriosis is a highly prevalent, chronic gynecological disorder characterized by the ectopic presence of endometrial-like tissue, driving significant morbidity and chronic pelvic pain. Pathologically, it is increasingly recognized as a fibro-inflammatory condition involving extensive tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Current conventional imaging modalities, including ultrasound and MRI, are primarily morphological, while standard molecular imaging using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers has shown limited diagnostic utility. [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) suffers from high physiological uptake in pelvic organs and inconsistent detection of lesions. Receptor-based tracers like [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE have demonstrated uncertain efficacy. In contrast, radiopharmaceuticals targeting the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) offer a promising molecular approach. FAP is specifically overexpressed by activated fibroblasts present in the stroma of endometriotic lesions, correlating significantly with tissue fibrosis (collagen content) and local immune infiltration (e.g., CD68 macrophages). This comprehensive review analyzes the landscape of radiopharmaceuticals for endometriosis imaging, contrasting the specific limitations of traditional metabolic and receptor agents with the molecular rationale and emerging evidence supporting the use of FAP Inhibitors (FAPI), positioning them as crucial, non-invasive tools for the future diagnosis and management of this challenging disease.

21 April 2025 in Ceramics International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SCSara Cisternino
Sara Cisternino
AKAlisa Kotliarenko
Alisa Kotliarenko
PMPetra Martini
Petra Martini
GPGaja Piteo
Gaja Piteo
FPFrancesca Porto
Francesca Porto
JEJuan Esposito
Juan Esposito

20 July 2024 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Maddalena SguizzatoMaddalena Sguizzato
Maddalena Sguizzato
Petra MartiniPetra Martini
Petra Martini
FFFrancesca Ferrara
Francesca Ferrara
LMLorenza Marvelli
Lorenza Marvelli
MDMarkus Drechsler
Markus Drechsler
Rita CortesiRita Cortesi
Rita Cortesi
The present study investigates the possible use of manganese (Mn)-based liposomal formulations for diagnostic applications in imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with the aim of overcoming the toxicity limitations associated with the use of free Mn2+. Specifically, anionic liposomes carrying two model Mn(II)-based compounds, MnCl2 (MC) and Mn(HMTA) (MH), were prepared and characterised in terms of morphology, size, loading capacity, and in vitro activity. Homogeneous dispersions characterised mainly by unilamellar vesicles were obtained; furthermore, no differences in size and morphology were detected between unloaded and Mn-loaded vesicles. The encapsulation efficiency of MC and MH was evaluated on extruded liposomes by means of ICP-OES analysis. The obtained results showed that both MC and MH are almost completely retained by the lipid portion of liposomes (LPs), with encapsulation efficiencies of 99.7% for MC and 98.8% for MH. The magnetic imaging properties of the produced liposomal formulations were investigated for application in a potential preclinical scenario by collecting magnetic resonance images of a phantom designed to compare the paramagnetic contrast properties of free MC and MH compounds and the corresponding manganese-containing liposome dispersions. It was found that both LP-MC and LP-MH at low concentrations (0.5 mM) show better contrast (contrast-to-noise ratios of 194 and 209, respectively) than solutions containing free Mn at the same concentrations (117 and 134, respectively) and are safe to use on human cells at the selected dose. Taken together, the results of this comparative analysis suggest that these liposome-containing Mn compounds might be suitable for diagnostic purposes.