Annalisa Sgarlata

Dr. Annalisa Sgarlata


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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30 October 2024 in Hematology Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Massimo MartinoMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
ASAnnalisa Sgarlata
Annalisa Sgarlata
IDIlaria Maria Delfino
Ilaria Maria Delfino
FCFrancesca Cogliandro
Francesca Cogliandro
CACaterina Alati
Caterina Alati
Background: Current drug therapy for myelofibrosis does not alter the natural course of the disease or prolong survival, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment modality. For over a decade, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib has been the standard of care. More recently, newer-generation JAK inhibitors have joined the ranks of accepted treatment options. Objectives: The primary goal of treatment is to reduce spleen size and minimize disease-related symptoms. Prognostic scoring systems are used to designate patients as being at lower or higher risk. For transplant-eligible patients, transplant is offered to those with a bridge of a JAK inhibitor; patients who are not eligible for transplant are usually offered long-term therapy with a JAK inhibitor. Limited disease-modifying activity, dose-limiting cytopenias, and other adverse effects have contributed to discontinuation of JAK inhibitor treatment. Conclusions: Novel JAK inhibitors and combination approaches are currently being explored to overcome these shortcomings. Further research will be essential to establish optimal therapeutic approaches in first-line and subsequent treatments.

15 February 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CACaterina Alati
Caterina Alati
MMMatteo Molica
Matteo Molica
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
VMVioletta Marafioti
Violetta Marafioti
GPGaetana Porto
Gaetana Porto
Massimo MartinoMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
Menin inhibitors are the first targeted therapies for KMT2A-rearranged and NPM1-mutated acute leukemias, addressing a significant unmet need in these high-risk subtypes. Revumenib received approval in 2024–2025 for relapsed or refractory KMT2A-rearranged acute leukemia and NPM1-mutated AML. The AUG-MENT-101 trial reported a 23% composite complete remission rate in heavily pretreated patients, with 61% of responders achieving MRD negativity. Several menin inhibitors, including ziftomenib, bleximenib, and enzomenib, are in clinical development. They demonstrate similar efficacy, but their safety profiles differ, especially regarding QTc prolongation and coverage of resistance mutations. Combination therapies with azacitidine and venetoclax or intensive chemotherapy have achieved high response rates in newly diagnosed patients, supporting their potential use in frontline treatment. Acquired resistance, often due to MEN1 mutations at the drug-binding interface, occurs in about 40% of cases. Distinct resistance patterns among menin inhibitors suggest the possibility of sequential therapy. Approximately 30–40% of responders in relapsed or refractory trials proceeded to allogeneic transplantation, which remains a key pathway to potential cure. This review examines the molecular mechanisms of the menin-KMT2A interaction, and summarizes clinical trial data on the efficacy and safety of menin inhibitors as monotherapy and in combination.

27 September 2024 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Massimo MartinoMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
MGMercedes Gori
Mercedes Gori
GPGaetana Porto
Gaetana Porto
GPGiorgia Policastro
Giorgia Policastro
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
APAnnalisa Pitino
Annalisa Pitino
Background: This real-life study aimed to investigate the possible impact of D-VTd induction therapy on hematopoietic engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). Methods: Sixty consecutive NDMM patients received four cycles of induction therapy with D-VTd. The conditioning regimen consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m2. These patients were compared with a historical control group of 80 patients who received four cycles of VTd as induction therapy. Results: The median days to reach neutrophil and platelet engraftment significantly differed between patients treated with D-VTd (11 and 13 days, respectively) and VTd (10 and 12 days). Univariate Cox analyses show that patients treated with D-VTd had a hazard ratio of neutrophil engraftment that was 42% significantly lower than those in the VTd arm (HR: 0.58, p = 0.002), and a multivariate model confirmed this result. Patients treated with D-VTd developed FN more frequently. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions revealed an association between D-VTd and FN. Delayed engraftment did not correlate with more extended hospitalization. No patients died in the first six months after transplantation. Conclusions: Our real-life study showed that a four-drug induction therapy containing DARA does not impact transplant safety outcomes.

28 August 2026 in Hematology Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CACaterina Alati
Caterina Alati
SBStefano Botti
Stefano Botti
FCFrancesca Cogliandro
Francesca Cogliandro
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
MPMatteo Pacilli
Matteo Pacilli
Massimo MartinoMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
Background/Objectives: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm driven by dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling, characterized by progressive marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms, and increased risk of leukemic transformation. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains the only potentially curative intervention. In Italy, allo-HCTs for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN, i.e., myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera, and essential thrombocythaemia combined) increased by 163% from 2015 to 2025; MF-specific procedure counts were not separately available in this registry export, so this figure should not be read as MF-specific, with MPN accounting for 8% of all allogeneic procedures (n = 171) in 2025, showing a 29.5% year-on-year increase from 2024. Concurrently, the demographic profile shifted, with individuals aged 60 and over representing 38% of all recipients, surpassing other age groups for the first time in 2025. Results: This review synthesizes current evidence on transplant indications and timing, pre-transplant management, donor selection, and conditioning regimen optimization, emphasizing the emerging role of treosulfan-based and dual-alkylator platforms, including the thiotepa–treosulfan–fludarabine (TTF) regimen. Post-transplant molecular MRD monitoring and relapse management are also discussed. Three-year overall survival in myelofibrosis ranges from about 59% to 67%, depending on donor type, with outcomes improving due to better patient selection, optimized conditioning, and supportive care. Conclusions: Prospective randomized trials are urgently needed to validate optimal conditioning intensity, the role of novel JAK inhibitors in the peri-transplant period, and MRD-guided pre-emptive strategies.

10 June 2026 in Hematology Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CACaterina Alati
Caterina Alati
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
GPGaetana Porto
Gaetana Porto
GPGiorgia Policastro
Giorgia Policastro
EBErica Bilardi
Erica Bilardi
Massimo MartinoMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed the management of relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, achieving high response rates in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. While the efficacy of CAR-T therapy is well established, quality of life (QoL) metrics have become increasingly important for guiding treatment decisions, patient counseling, and survivorship planning. Objectives: Most patients undergoing CAR-T therapy recover their initial QoL within 3 months, an improvement not typically seen with other treatment options. A comprehensive understanding of QoL is essential for delivering patient-centered care in the evolving CAR-T landscape. Conclusions: This review synthesizes current evidence on QoL outcomes in CAR-T recipients, including acute effects, recovery trajectories, comparisons with conventional therapies, and strategies to optimize QoL.

25 July 2024 in Frontiers in Hematology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BLBarbara Loteta
Barbara Loteta
APAnnalisa Pitino
Annalisa Pitino
Martina PiteaMartina Pitea
Martina Pitea
CACaterina Alati
Caterina Alati
GTGiovanni Tripepi
Giovanni Tripepi
MMMassimo Martino
Massimo Martino
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of biosimilar (BIO) pegfilgrastim (PEG) in lymphoma patients after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).Methods: 86 consecutive lymphoma patients who received BIO/PEG after ASCT were assessed. The primary endpoints of this study were the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and time to neutrophil engraftment.Results: Most patients were males (67.4%) with a median age of 48 years. FN occurred in 66 patients (76.7%), and most of the fever was grade 1-2. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 9 days. The incidence of FN differs based on lymphoma type (p-value <0.01) and was higher in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) than in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). No statistical difference was found between NHL and HL regarding the time to reach the neutrophil engraftment. Hospitalization lasted from a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 34 days. The restricted mean time to discharge was 15.9 days (95%CI 14-16), without differences based on lymphoma type.Conclusion: Although the study has the significant limitation of not being randomized and not having a control arm, it highlights the efficacy and safety of a BIO-PEG formulation in patients with Lymphoma and undergoing ASCT.