(8 June 2017) Excellence from Pisa stands out in the United States of America. Daniele Rossini, a PhD candidate in Medical Oncology from the University of Pisa Hospital, is among the best young researchers in the world and recently received an award at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Conference that took place in Chicago from June 2nd to 6th. Daniele, 29, is the youngest among the nine Italian researchers awarded with the Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award awarded each year to the lead-authors of studies that lead to substantial advancement in their field of study. Rossini specialises in metastatic rectal cancer in collaboration with the Northwest Oncology Group under the guidance of Professor Alfredo Falcone and Dr. Chiara Cremolini. In particular, the young researcher has studied the development of a therapeutic scheme for metastatic colorectal cancer patients who experience a recurrence of the disease after the first cycle of treatment. (Red)

DECREASE IN CANCER RATE

For the first time, cancer mortality in Italy declined Italy: 1,134 fewer deaths in 2013 (176,217) compared to 2012 (177,351). Better adherence to screening programmes, the effectiveness of prevention campaigns, and new instruments are showing significant results. Big steps forward have been taken also thanks to precision oncology that is leading to a real revolution in "thinking" cancer. The goal is to identify the genetic singularities of different types of cancer and to set a therapy tailored to the needs of every patient. Today, targeted therapies are available for some of the most common cancers (colorectal, breast, lung and stomach).