Donatella Russo

Dr. Donatella Russo


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

View All Publications
8 November 2021 in La radiologia medica
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MVMaurizio Valeriani
Maurizio Valeriani
BDBeatrice Detti
Beatrice Detti
AFAndrei Fodor
Andrei Fodor
Saverio CainiSaverio Caini
Saverio Caini
SBSimona Borghesi
Simona Borghesi
Gianluca IngrossoGianluca Ingrosso
Gianluca Ingrosso

24 January 2024 in Gynecologic Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Gabriella MacchiaGabriella Macchia
Gabriella Macchia
Savino CillaSavino Cilla
Savino Cilla
DPDonato Pezzulla
Donato Pezzulla
MCMaura Campitelli
Maura Campitelli
CLConcetta Laliscia
Concetta Laliscia
FDFrancesco DEODATO
Francesco DEODATO

19 February 2024 in La radiologia medica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Gianluca IngrossoGianluca Ingrosso
Gianluca Ingrosso
EPElisabetta Ponti
Elisabetta Ponti
GFGiulio Francolini
Giulio Francolini
Saverio CainiSaverio Caini
Saverio Caini
SFSimona Fondelli
Simona Fondelli
BDBeatrice Detti
Beatrice Detti
Background: Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy is a treatment option for the cure of localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients based on the results of randomized prospective trials, but there is a clinical concern about the relatively short length of follow-up, and real-world results on outcome and toxicity based on cutting-edge techniques are lacking. The objective of this study is to present the long-term results of a large multicentric series. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 1325 PCa patients treated with daily volumetric image-guided hypofractionated radiotherapy between 2007 and 2020 in 16 Centers. For survival endpoints, we used Kaplan–Meier survival curves and fitted univariate and multivariable Cox’s proportional hazards regression models to study the association between the clinical variables and each survival type. Results: At the end of the follow-up, 11 patients died from PCa. The 15-year values of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and biochemical relapse-free survival (b-RFS) were 98.5% (95%CI 97.3–99.6%) and 85.5% (95%CI 81.9–89.4%), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that baseline PSA, Gleason score, and the use of androgen deprivation therapy were significant variables for all the outcomes. Acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities of grade ≥ 2 were 7.0% and 16.98%, respectively. The 15-year late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities were 5% (95%CI 4–6%) and 6% (95%CI 4–8%), respectively. Conclusion: Real-world long-term results of this multicentric study on cutting-edge techniques for the cure of localized PCa demonstrated an excellent biochemical-free survival rate of 85.5% at 15 years, and very low rates of ≥ G3 late GU and GI toxicity (1.6% and 0.9% respectively), strengthening the results of the available published trials.

22 July 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMaria Cristina Barba
Maria Cristina Barba
PFPAOLA DE FRANCO
PAOLA DE FRANCO
DRDonatella Russo
Donatella Russo
ECElisa Cavalera
Elisa Cavalera
ECElisa Ciurlia
Elisa Ciurlia
ASAngela Sardaro
Angela Sardaro
Background: Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) has emerged as a promising strategy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). By administering both chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and systemic chemotherapy (CHT) pre-surgery, TNT is associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS), reduced distant metastases, and higher pathological complete response (pCR) rates. Materials and Methods: This study included patients with LARC who received various TNT schedules: induction chemotherapy (iCHT), consolidation chemotherapy (cCHT), or a combination of both (sandwichCHT). We analyzed treatment adherence, toxicity, and pathological response. Local and distant disease recurrence, as well as survival outcomes, were also evaluated. Results: Between May 2021 and January 2025, 70 patients received TNT. Treatment included iCHT (41%), sandwichCHT (49%), and cCHT (10%). Most patients (94%) received long-course radiotherapy (LCRT). Overall, TNT was well tolerated, with grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity during CRT being the most common frequent adverse event (33%). Disease progression during TNT was noted in five patients (7%); three of these patients were receiving chemotherapy, while two underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor. A watch-and-wait strategy was adopted for five patients (7%) following TNT. Surgical procedures performed included anterior resection (92%), abdominoperineal resection (7%), and local excision (1%). Pathological assessment revealed an overall pCR rate of 30%. With a median follow-up of 17 months, no patients experienced local recurrence. Post-surgery, 10 patients (17%) developed disease progression. The median DFS was 14.7 months. Five patients (7%) died during the follow-up period, with only one death attributed to causes other than disease progression. Conclusions: In this cohort of LARC patients, TNT demonstrated favorable tolerability and encouraging short-term efficacy.

17 March 2025 in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Gianluca IngrossoGianluca Ingrosso
Gianluca Ingrosso
EFEleonora Festa
Eleonora Festa
SCSaverio Caini
Saverio Caini
EPElisabetta Ponti
Elisabetta Ponti
GFGiulio Francolini
Giulio Francolini
BDBeatrice Detti
Beatrice Detti

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BSBianca Santo
Bianca Santo
MRMatteo Romanello
Matteo Romanello
PFPAOLA DE FRANCO
PAOLA DE FRANCO
ECElisa Cavalera
Elisa Cavalera
DRDonatella Russo
Donatella Russo
ASAngela Sardaro
Angela Sardaro
Background/Objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker reflecting systemic inflammatory status and has been investigated in head and neck cancer (HNC) as a potential prognostic indicator. Its role in relation to radiotherapy-related toxicity remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive evaluation of NLR values in relation to oral mucositis severity and swallowing-related quality of life in patients undergoing radiotherapy-based treatment. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with locally advanced HNC treated with radiotherapy, with or without concomitant chemotherapy, in the definitive or adjuvant setting (March 2025–January 2026). NLR was calculated at baseline (T0), at a predefined mid-treatment timepoint (T3), and during week 6 of treatment (T6). Mucositis severity was assessed using CTCAE and the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), while swallowing-related quality of life was measured using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Relationships between NLR values and toxicity endpoints were descriptively assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: No statistically significant correlations were observed between NLR values and OM severity or swallowing-related outcomes at any evaluated timepoint. At T3, non-significant correlations were observed between NLR and CTCAE mucositis grade and between NLR and MDADI global score. No statistically significant correlations were observed between NLR values and OMAS at any evaluated timepoint. Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort, no association between NLR and radiotherapy-related mucositis severity or swallowing-related quality of life was demonstrated. These findings are descriptive and limited by the small sample size, the retrospective design, and the absence of control for potential confounding factors. No inferential or causal conclusions can be drawn. Further prospective studies with larger and more homogeneous cohorts are required to better characterize NLR behavior in this clinical setting.