Assoc. Prof. Papadakis Georgios
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Greece

PET-imaging applications in the management of patients with melanoma

Author: G.Z. Papadakis
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is the cutting-edge nuclear medicine molecular imaging technique that holds a critical role in the management of patients with melanoma. Furthermore, the integration of PET with computed tomography (PET/CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI), enables the combination of functional data provided by PET with the anatomical information provided by CT or MRI, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities facilitating early detection, accurate staging/restaging, and efficient assessment of treatment response in oncologic patients. Moreover, in recent years, instrumentation innovations enabled the development of PET detectors compatible with high-intensity MR-field, allowing the introduction into the clinical setting of integrated PET/MRI systems capable of simultaneous PET and MRI acquisition. The substantially enhanced imaging capabilities of these systems with improved image quality, considerable increase in the accuracy of the co-registration between PET-data and MRI anatomy and temporal synchronization of the data acquired by the two modalities, provide the ground for advanced molecular imaging applications contributing to the design and implementation of precision medicine approaches in patients with melanoma, given the aggressive nature and high metastatic potential of this cancer. Aim of the current presentation is to provide an overview of “PET-Imaging applications in the management of patients with melanoma”, given its crucial role in identifying regional and distant metastases, guiding surgical and therapeutic decisions, and monitoring immunotherapy and advanced targeted therapies. Apart from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) which is the most widely employed PET-tracer for oncologic purposes that targets metabolic activity, novel PET-radiopharmaceuticals and their applications in the setting of patients with melanoma will be thoroughly discussed.

SHORT CV

Dr Georgios Z. Papadakis is a certified Nuclear Medicine Physician, with expertise on conventional nuclear medicine and on the clinical and pre-clinical applications of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. His research activities are focused on the interdisciplinary area of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, with innovative PET-radiopharmaceuticals. Currently, he is the director of the Hybrid Molecular Imaging Unit (HMIU) at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) https://www.ics.forth.gr/hmiu/ which hosts a cutting-edge pre-clinical PET/MRI scanner that enables simultaneous PET and MRI acquisition (4th scanner world-wide providing this capability).
The results of Dr Papadakis’ research work have been published in top scientific journals such as “The New England Journal of Medicine” and have been presented in top international meetings and conferences, receiving several honors and awards with the most important having been named in 2022 as Rising Star in the field of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
His scientific vision focuses on the combination of competing fields of science at the crossroads of diagnosis and individualized treatment, which offer rich research opportunities, promising both immediate and long-term benefits to patients as well as cutting costs and improving efficacy.

Prof. Dr. Krisztian Gaspar
Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Ungaria

Hidradenitis suppurativa management
Krisztián Gáspár

Dept. of Dermatology, Univ. of Debrecen, Hungary
SPIN National Representative for Hungary

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit of the apocrine gland rich areas. The typical inflammatory lesions (nodules, abscesses), during the chronicity of the disease, show sinus formation and fistulae development that eventually lead to disfiguring scars. This deteriorating condition is accompanied with high disease burden and the impairment of patients’ quality of life. The early and adequate interventions may result in acceptable responses and outcomes. In the lecture the available and recent treatments in HS are introduced, while some opinions on personal experience in the disease management are going to be emphasized as well.

Scurt CV

Krisztian Gaspar, MD, PhD is graduated in 2000 at the University of Debrecen Medical School, Debrecen, Hungary.
He is a board certified (1) dermato-venereologist, (2) allergologist-clinical immunologist and (3) clinical pharmacologist.
He is an assistant professor at the Dept. of Dermatology and Dept. of Dermatological Allergology of the University of Debrecen, in Debrecen, Hungary.
His main research interests are psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). He defended his academic degree (PhD) by his research completed on the regulative T cell impairment and remodelling in AD. With international scholarships he extended his clinical and research experience abroad, by spending two years in Germany (Düsseldorf, Kassel, Frankfurt) and in the UK (London).
He is a working member of 5 international dermatological societies.
He has spoken and presented lectures or posters in over 25 international conferences.
He published over 80 papers in national and international journals and 6 book chapters. His cumulative impact factor is over 185, Hirsch index is 16, and total citation is over 700.
For his work he has been awarded by EADV (Leadership Development Initiative Scholarship), ESDR (Research Fellow Award), ILDS (Young Dermatologist International Achievement Award), AAD (Annual Meeting Poster Exhibit Scholarship) and ISDS (Perry Robins Scholarship Award).

Dr. Biazzo Manuele The BioArte Ltd, Malta

Scurt CV

Has 12+ years of Scientific Research, Scientific Education and Leadership experience in large corporations and institutions with a fast-paced, innovative and performance-oriented environment.
Has 7+ years as Director of a Research company with 40+ employees, focused on extraction of sea algae Highly skilled and educated Science Professional proficient in Laboratory Management, ISO15189-ISO9001, GLP, GMP obtainment and maintenance, Managment of Educational Programs, Applied Sciences, Industrial Biology, Microbiology, clinical observations, data collection and analysis. Currently founder and partner of The BioArte Limited

Work experience:

January 2020-Present – Co-founder and Director – The BioArte Ltd
Feb 2016 – May 2020 – Director Institute of Cellular Pharmacology, Malta
July 2018 – May 2020 – Head of the Training Academy – Institute of Cellular Pharmacology, Malta
May 2017 – Present – Founder and CEO – Oli-fit Ltd, Malta and Siena BioActive, Italy
Apr 2017 – Sept 2018 – Part time Lecturer- MCAST, Malta
Apr 2017 – Sep 2018 – Occasional Part time Lecturer – University of Malta
Feb 2016 – May 2020 – Scientific Consultant – ICP-Texinfine, France
Mar 2015 – Present – Editor – Bio Accent and EC Microbiology
Oct 2014 – Feb 2016 – Head of Biology Research Department – Institute of Cellular Pharmacology, Malta
Sep 2013 – Oct 2014 – Scientist – ICP- Texinfine, Malta
May 2013 – Sep 2013 – Science Communication Fellowship – Malta Council for Science and Technology, Malta
Feb 2010 – May 2013 – Research Scientist – Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostic, Malta

Recent key Career Achievements
• The BioArte Limited licensed as Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
• The BioArte Ltd recognized as Educational Institute by the National Commission For Further and Higher Education
• The BioArte Limited certified to ISO9001
• Adapted scientific discoveries to different field of applications with proper clinical trials and observations
based on molecules obtained by Padina pavonica (sea algae)
• Developed scientific proposals for EU grant in collaboration with other SMEs and Universities (Horizon 2020, COST and PRIMA calls).
• Development and accreditation from the National Commission for Further and Higher Education as a
biology learning center (ICP Training Academy)
• Bring investors in the companies he founded with the aim to expand the EU market raising a round of 2M
• Increased the turnover by including different markets for existing products (Japan, Brazil, USA and Singapore)
• Scientific discovery, development and implementation in order to bring pre-clinical research into clinical studies related to the anti-viral substances against cytomegalovirus and papillomavirus.
• Developed strategic processes in order to win the competition in the food supplement market
• Leadership role in the scientific team and collaboration all over the world
• Implemented business relations with foreign partners (Japan, Singapore, French Polynesia, Brazil)
• Coordinated many researches and made patent proposals
• Founder of Oli-fit Ltd. A company focused on the green economy and on how to produce cosmetic ingredients from food waste (winner of the BeStart program in 2017)
• Co-founder of The BioArte Limited A company focused on the development of personalised probiotics remedy
• Education and dissemination of science.. Preparation of a master course level 7 for MCAST in Science communication .

Dr. Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou the Medical School, University of Athens, Greece

Skin Manifestations as Clues to Underlying Lung Malignancy Autor: Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou

Department of Pathophysiology, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Cutaneous findings can provide critical clues to the presence of internal malignancies, particularly lung cancer, and recognizing these manifestations can lead to early diagnosis and improved outcomes. Paraneoplastic dermatoses, although rare, represent important clinical markers of underlying malignancies. They often arise due to tumor-related hormonal, metabolic, or immune mechanisms and can precede other symptoms of the neoplasm. Several skin conditions are closely associated with lung malignancies. Ectopic ACTH syndrome occurs when tumors produce excess adrenocorticotropic hormone, leading to hyperpigmentation. Bronchial carcinoid variant syndrome presents similarly due to hormone production by carcinoid tumors. Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and digital clubbing are characterized by thickened skin and periosteal bone changes, often linked to bronchogenic carcinoma. Other distinctive manifestations include erythema gyratum repens, a rapidly progressing rash with concentric rings, and malignant acanthosis nigricans, velvety hyperpigmented plaques in body folds. Additional findings include the Leser-Trélat sign, where sudden eruptive seborrheic keratoses may indicate malignancy, and tripe palms, which present as thickened, velvety skin on the palms. Rare signs like hypertrichosis lanuginosa (excessive fine hair growth), acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (psoriasiform lesions on acral areas), and dermatomyositis (inflammatory skin and muscle disease) can also signal underlying lung cancer. Identifying these skin manifestations is crucial for clinicians, as they may offer the earliest indication of lung malignancy. Awareness and prompt investigation of these findings can facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, significantly improving patient outcomes.

Scurt CV

Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou is a Respiratory Medicine Specialist with over 10 years of experience in clinical practice, research, and education. She has expertise in Respiratory Infections (COVID-19, TB), Sleep Medicine, and Pulmonary Function Assessment. She has more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, and is involved with patient care and in cutting-edge research with a focus on post-COVID-19 outcomes and biomarker development. She has an MD and an MSc from Medical School, University of Athens and an MSc from the Medical School, University of Thrace, Greece. She is a Lecturer at the Medical School, University of Athens while she is completing her PhD. She has received several awards and recognitions at multiple international respiratory conferences.

Dr. Paraskevi Kallinteri University of Patras, Rio, Greece

The clocks of aging and wellness practices

Authors: Paraskevi Kallinteri, Aristidis Tsatsakis School of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Greece Aging is a multifactorial and complex process involving endocrine changes, immune system deterioration, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix changes, mitochondrial (dys)function, telomere length changes, genetic and epigenetic factors, calcium metabolism, changes in circulating plasma, sarcopenia, and stem cell deterioration. All these interconnected processes constitute the twelve “biological clocks” which indicate our biological age. The individual’s way of life (diet, exercise, smoking), and the environmental conditions they live in (areas with high chemical and/or noise pollution, working environment conditions and exposure to heavy metals), affect significantly the balanced function of the biological clocks, and consequently the aging process. Increased life expectancy and an aging global population have a financial impact on healthcare and social security systems due to higher cases of age-related disorders. Therefore, the aim of the current policies is to improve health span, which is defined by more years of healthy living and a reduction in age-associated comorbidities, which translates into “graceful” aging. In this case, good health maintenance and prevention are key strategies to address the first signs of aging, which can be achieved by adopting a healthy lifestyle according to personal needs, living and working environment as well as reducing physical and psychological stress. Following a suitable diet, sleep, hydration and exercise schedule, avoiding smoking and drug abuse, performing practices for mindfulness to reduce stress and maintain psychological wellbeing, and socializing are key healthy lifestyle habits. It must be emphasized that each individual should be approached from a holistic perspective taking into consideration genetic predispositions, phenotypic characteristics, daily routines, emotional and mental health in order to achieve wellness and longevity through personalized interventions.

Scurt CV

Evi (Paraskevi Kallinteri) is a pharmacist with an MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutics and a PhD in the field of drug delivery (School of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Greece). She worked as a postdoctoral researcher on polymeric nanoparticles and their potential applications for the treatment of brain tumours at the University of Nottingham, UK. Then, she was appointed as a lecturer in Pharmaceutics/Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology at the Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, UK. Her research focused on the use of targeted arsonoliposomes for the treatment of leukaemia and brain tumours. In 2010 she moved to Helsinki, Finland, and worked at the University of Helsinki as a teaching researcher. She is a Registered Pharmacist in Greece, the UK, and Finland. Since March 2022, she has been working as a freelance translator, editor, and medical writer based in Finland.

Doctor Kokolakis Georgios
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Scurt CV

Dr. Kokolakis began his medical studies at the University of in Crete, Greece. After receiving a scholarship from the German from the German Academic Exchange Service, he continued his projects at the Clinic for Dermatology at the Charité in Berlin.
After completing his specialist training in dermatology at Charité Berlin, he became senior physician and assistant Professor of dermatology with a focus on inflammatory skin diseases. Since 2018 he is the head of Clinical Trials and Clinic for Psoriasis and HS. Besides, he acquired the board certified sub-specialization for “medical tumor therapies”, focusing on dermato-oncology.
In addition to his work as a doctor, Dr. Kokolakis is also involved in academic teaching and research. As a result, he has published a numerous scientific paper as (co-)author in international journals and books.