Publications by authors named "Balestri R"

Background: Despite extraordinary improvements in the management of psoriasis in recent times, some areas of the body, such as the pretibial area, still show an unsatisfactory response and a more significant impact on patient quality of life. This multicentre study focuses on psoriasis affecting sensitive areas (particularly the pretibial area), its impact on quality of life and the therapeutic response to risankizumab.

Methods: This multicentre prospective observational study recruited patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis with pretibial area involvement.

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Background: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition characterized by rapid hair loss in the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes, for which treatments are limited. Baricitinib, an oral inhibitor of Janus kinases 1 and 2, has been recently approved to treat alopecia areata.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving 23 medical centres across Italy, enrolling patients affected by severe alopecia areata (SALT >50), for more than 6 months.

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Objective: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) is very high and this significant burden of psychological symptoms threatens the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of affected patients. Indeed, AA often does not produce significant physical symptoms, but it nonetheless disrupts many areas of mental health. Clinical assessment of disease severity may not reliably predict patient's HRQoL, nor may it predict the patient's perception of illness.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to gather real-world data on the use of bimekizumab for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in patients aged 65 and older, an age group often underrepresented in clinical trials.
  • Conducted in 33 dermatological clinics in Italy, 98 elderly patients were treated with bimekizumab while collecting clinical and demographic data to monitor their progress and any adverse events over 36 weeks.
  • Results showed significant improvements in psoriasis symptoms, with PASI scores dropping substantially after treatment, and a majority of patients achieving PASI75 or higher by weeks 16 and 36.
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: Psoriatic disease, a chronic immune-mediated systemic inflammatory condition, significantly impairs patients' quality of life. The advent of highly targeted biological therapies has transformed treatment strategies, emphasizing the importance of selecting the most effective and cost-efficient option. Secukinumab, an IL-17A inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO).

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Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that affects the hair follicles of the scalp and the rest of the body causing hair loss. Due to the unpredictable course of AA and the different degrees of severity of hair loss, only a few well-designed clinical studies with a low number of patients are available. Also, there is no specific cure, but topical and systemic anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressant drugs are used for treatment.

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Background: Tirbanibulin 1% ointment is approved for the field treatment of Olsen grade I actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face and scalp.

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study involving 15 dermatologic units in Italy to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of tirbanibulin in a real-life setting. 250 patients were enrolled.

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. R0 minor parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH) is feasible for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in contact with hepatic veins (HV) at hepatocaval confluence since HV can be reconstructed, but in the case of contact with the first-order glissonean pedicle (GP), major hepatectomy is mandatory. To pursue an R0 parenchyma-sparing policy, we proposed vessel-guided mesohepatectomy for liver partition (MLP) and eventually combination with liver augmentation techniques for staged major PSH.

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Cutaneous immune-related adverse events are frequently associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) administration in cancer patients. In fact, these monoclonal antibodies bind the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed cell death-1/ligand 1 leading to a non-specific activation of the immune system against both tumoral cells and self-antigens. The skin is the most frequently affected organ system appearing involved especially by inflammatory manifestations such as maculopapular, lichenoid, psoriatic, and eczematous eruptions.

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Aim: Even if a defunctioning stoma mitigates the serious consequences of anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, the presence of a temporary stoma or having a stoma for a prolonged period of time may also be a determining factor for further morbidities and poor bowel function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverting stomas on clinical and functional outcomes after TME, comparing ileostomy or colostomy effects.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent TME for rectal cancer between March 2017 and December 2020 in three Italian referral centres were enrolled in the present study.

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Background: In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy and surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy is poorly feasible and its benefit is questionable. In the last years, several total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) strategies, moving the adjuvant chemotherapy to the neoadjuvant setting, have been investigated with the aim of improving compliance to systemic chemotherapy, treating micrometastases earlier and then reducing distant recurrence.

Patients And Methods: ShorTrip (NTC05253846) is a prospective, multicentre, single-arm phase II trial where 63 patients with LARC will be treated with short-course radiotherapy followed by intensified consolidation chemotherapy with FOLFOXIRI regimen and surgery.

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Background: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including upadacitinib, have been recently approved for the treatment of moderate-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and real-world data on upadacitinib effectiveness and safety are limited. This interim analysis aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib throughout 48 weeks of observation in a real-world adult AD population.

Methods: This prospective study collected data on adult patients affected by moderate-to-severe AD and treated with upadacitinib at the dosage of either 15 mg or 30 mg daily based on the physician decision.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the dermatological manifestations of COVID-19 in children, particularly noting the prevalence of chilblain-like lesions among infected and non-infected patients, attributed to a pronounced interferon response in younger individuals.
  • Conducted over six months, the research involved 137 patients aged 1 to 18 from 23 Italian dermatological units, who exhibited a variety of skin lesions primarily on the feet.
  • Results showed diverse skin symptoms, with many experiencing concomitant systemic symptoms, highlighting the complex interplay of dermatological and respiratory issues related to COVID-19 in children.
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The multimodal approach with total mesorectal excision preceded by neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy represented the mainstay treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) for a long time. However, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of distant relapse reduction is limited. Recently, chemotherapy regimens administered before surgery and incorporated with (chemo)radiotherapy in total neoadjuvant treatment protocols have been established as new options in the management of LARC.

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