Leonardo Natalini

Dr. Leonardo Natalini

Resident in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Marche, Italy
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orcid
Resident in Gynaecology and Obstetrics - Marche Polytechnic ...

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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Verified
Journal Article
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LGLuca Giannella
Luca Giannella
JGJacopo Di Giuseppe
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
Giovanni Delli CarpiniGiovanni Delli Carpini
Giovanni Delli Carpini
CGCamilla Grelloni
Camilla Grelloni
MFMariasole Fichera
Mariasole Fichera
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. It is the leading cause of female deaths in developing countries. Most of these cervical neoplasms are represented by squamous lesions. Cervical adenocarcinoma causes about a quarter of cervical cancers. In contrast to squamous lesions, cervical glandular disease is HPV-negative in about 15–20% of cases. HPV-negative cervical adenocarcinomas typically present in advanced stages at clinical evaluation, resulting in a poorer prognosis. The overall and disease-free survival of glandular lesions is lower than that of squamous lesions. Treatment options require definitive treatments, as fertility-sparing is not recommended. Moreover, the impact of HPV vaccination and primary HPV screening is likely to affect these lesions less; hence, the interest in this challenging topic for clinical practice. An updated review focusing on clinical and molecular characterization, prognostic factors, and therapeutic options may be helpful for properly managing such cervical lesions.

24 February 2024 in Cancers
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LGLuca Giannella
Luca Giannella
CGCamilla Grelloni
Camilla Grelloni
MBMarco Bernardi
Marco Bernardi
CCCamilla Cicoli
Camilla Cicoli
FLFederica Lavezzo
Federica Lavezzo
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
The present review regarding atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) focused on the main debated factors regarding this challenging clinical condition: (i) predictive variables of occult endometrial cancer (EC); (ii) the rate of EC underestimation according to different endometrial sampling methods; and (iii) the appropriateness of lymph node status assessment. When cancer is detected, approximately 90% of cases include low-risk EC, although intermediate/high-risk cases have been found in 10–13% of women with cancer. Older age, diabetes, high BMI, and increased endometrial thickness are the most recurrent factors in women with EC. However, the predictive power of these independent variables measured on internal validation sets showed disappointing results. Relative to endometrial sampling methods, hysteroscopic endometrial resection (Hys-res) provided the lowest EC underestimation, ranging between 6 and 11%. Further studies, including larger sample sizes of women undergoing Hys-res, are needed to confirm these findings. These data are urgently needed, especially for female candidates for conservative treatment. Finally, the evaluation of lymph node status measured on 660 of over 20,000 women showed a lymph node positivity of 2.3%. Although there has been an increase in the use of this procedure in AEH in recent years, the present data cannot recommend this option in AEH based on a cost/risk/benefit ratio.

21 August 2025 in Annals of Medicine
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Journal Article
Open access
JGJacopo Di Giuseppe
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
LNLeonardo Natalini
Leonardo Natalini
MBMila Bordini
Mila Bordini
DCDaniele Crescenzi
Daniele Crescenzi
LGLinda Grementieri
Linda Grementieri
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical presentation, treatment, and histopathological features of extrauterine sites of leiomyomatosis (ESL), such as disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL), parasitic myoma (PM), benign metastatic leiomyoma (BML), and intravascular leiomyoma (IVL). The impact of previous surgery (hysterectomy or myomectomy) on development of intra-abdominal extrauterine leiomyomas (IAELs) and extra-abdominal extrauterine leiomyomas (EAELs) has been evaluated. According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Relevant articles were retrieved in full-text format and screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. 358 studies (372 cases) are included. Among IAELs, the most common symptom is abdominopelvic pain (63.9% of DPL, and 69.2% of PMs cases, respectively). In contrast, EAELs exhibit heterogeneous clinical presentations; dyspnea is the most common symptom (29.7% of BML, and 29.9% of IVL cases, respectively). 68.8% of DPL, 60% of PM, 89.7% of BML, and 56.4% of IVL patients underwent previous uterine surgery. A significant association (p = 0.0417) between the type of previous uterine surgery (hysterectomy and myomectomy) and the subsequent location of ESLs is found (68.7% VS 51.4% in EAELs, 31.3% VS 48.6% in IAELs, respectively). DPL, PM, BML, and IVL exhibit overlapping characteristics, requiring a multimodal approach that includes imaging, histopathology, and surgical or medical management. Greater awareness among clinicians is needed regarding surgical procedures involving ligation and/or cutting of major uterine vessels, which appear to contribute to the development of EAELs, and morcellation, which tends to promote intraperitoneal metastatic spread.

8 July 2025 in Pathogens
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LGLuca Giannella
Luca Giannella
CGCamilla Grelloni
Camilla Grelloni
LNLeonardo Natalini
Leonardo Natalini
GSGianmarco Sartini
Gianmarco Sartini
MBMila Bordini
Mila Bordini
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
HPV-independent cervical cancers represent a small proportion of these types of cancers, predominantly glandular lesions. It should be noted that some cases may depend on diagnostic problems that lead to false negative cases. However, the most recent classifications distinguish cervical tumors into HPV-associated and HPV-independent cancers. HPV-negative cervical carcinomas (5–11% of all cases) mainly include rare adenocarcinomas (gastric, mesonephric, clear, serous, and endometrioid) and present distinct clinical and molecular features. These tumors usually affect older women and are diagnosed at more advanced stages than HPV-positive tumors, with an overall worse prognosis. This concerning and notably worse prognosis highlights the need for further research and understanding. Unlike HPV-positive carcinomas (which depend on the viral oncogenes E6/E7), HPV-independent tumors accumulate genomic mutations that activate oncogenes and inactivate suppressor genes. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of these aspects can be the key to a better understanding and developing personalized treatments. In the present review, the main mutated genes, the signaling pathways involved, the differences from HPV-positive tumors, the distinctive immunohistochemical markers, and the diagnostic and therapeutic implications are explored in depth.

23 April 2025 in Vaccines
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LGLuca Giannella
Luca Giannella
CGCamilla Grelloni
Camilla Grelloni
LNLeonardo Natalini
Leonardo Natalini
GSGianmarco Sartini
Gianmarco Sartini
FLFederica Lavezzo
Federica Lavezzo
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
Cervical cancer (CC) is the only cancer that has the possibility of primary and secondary prevention. Despite this, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of eliminating CC by 2030 by suggesting specific types of intervention. Unfortunately, to date, we are very far from this goal at a global level, including developed countries. Implementing vaccination coverage among the target population is one of the strategies to be pursued in this area. Achieving this goal should include combating misinformation about the HPV vaccine, which is one of the main reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Such conspiracy theories are prevalent on social media, one of the primary sources of information for adults and adolescents today. In this regard, the Internet plays a significant role in disseminating information about the HPV vaccine, both positively and negatively. The Internet provides easy access to information about the HPV vaccine, including its safety, efficacy, recommended dosing schedule, and potential side effects. It may promote vaccine advocacy and debunking vaccine myths. On the other hand, the Internet may be the place for disseminating misinformation and influencing vaccine decision making. It is a double-edged sword in shaping public discourse and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. This overview aims to assess the literature on this topic in depth to promote evidence-based information, analyze the social channels through which misinformation spreads, and leverage digital health interventions essential for promoting HPV vaccination and reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases.

6 July 2024 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NMNina Montik
Nina Montik
CGCamilla Grelloni
Camilla Grelloni
AFAlessandra Filosa
Alessandra Filosa
GGGaia Goteri
Gaia Goteri
JGJacopo Di Giuseppe
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
ACAndrea Ciavattini
Andrea Ciavattini
A 43-year-old patient with a history of uterine fibromatosis was referred to our hospital for menometrorrhagia and pelvic pain. At the pelvic ultrasound, a highly-vascularized myometrial lesion in volumetric increase was described. An elongated, solid, hypoechoic, painless, and highly vascularized left parauterine mass was identified. On histological examination, a uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) with intravascular invasion of the left uterine vein was diagnosed. The adnexa and peritoneum were free of disease. On a retrospective evaluation of the ultrasound images, we noticed that the intravascular lesion showed sonographic features comparable to the original mass. Moreover, the Color Doppler (CD) analysis revealed an interrupted blood flow within the left uterine vein. In this case, the ultrasound proved to be an accurate diagnostic tool. When inhomogeneous uterine masses are suspected, and a parauterine/paraadnexal mass surrounded by irregular vessels are identified, the sonographer should take into account a risk of intravascular invasion. The patency of uterine and ovarian vessels should be accurately evaluated, to guide a tailored patient surgical approach.