VII Marzia Galli Kienle Award to a San Raffaele graduate student

Alessandro Mannucci is the winner of the 2023 edition: class of 1994, from Ancona, but Milanese by adoption, specializing in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy at the IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan (Gruppo San Donato) with important experiences gained abroad as well, and who recently received the Tom Weber award from the American scientific society CGA-IGC. 

“I am deeply grateful and honored for this recognition,” comments Mannucci. “To see commitment to research is extremely rewarding and exciting, both personally and professionally. Over the years, award winners have gone from young researchers to beacons of Italian research, and I, too, hope to continue to grow as a researcher and live up to it. If I have come this far, I also owe it to my mentor, Professor Giulia Martina Cavestro of IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, who introduced me, with passion and dedication, to the world of genetics in oncology.” 

Mannucci was awarded the prize thanks to a scientific paper just in the field of genetics in oncology titled “Comparison of colorectal and endometrial microsatellite instability analysis and premm5 risk assessment for the prediction of pathogenic germline variants on multigene panel tests,” of which he is first author, published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, one of the most prestigious and important journals worldwide.  

“Everyone has a certain risk of developing cancers, influenced by factors such as lifestyle. However, some people have genetic diseases that greatly increase their risk of developing cancers. These genetic syndromes are not rare (for Lynch syndrome, which can cause colon and endometrial cancer we are talking about one in every 270 people) and are congenital. So many people are born with this disease, have no symptoms, and do not know they have it until a tumor develops, often in young people (even 20-30 years old).

The crucial question, then, is how we can identify these diseases in a timely manner to prevent cancer. That's what our research focused on, trying to answer a number of scientific questions and offering evidence that may be useful in identifying pathways for prevention and early detection of cancer (particularly of the colon and endometrium), which are essential for dealing with the disease when it is at an early stage and thus improving prognosis and survival,” Mannucci says.

The 6 special mentions, however, are: 

• Marco Bandini, class 1989, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan; 
• Gloria Delfanti, age 34, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan; 
• Matteo Naldini, class 1991 IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan; 
• Filippo Pagani, age 33, Institute of Tumors in Milan; 
• Yakymiv Yuliya, age 32, University of Turin; 
• Vito Amodio, class 1990, University of Turin - IRCCS Candiolo Institute and IFOM in Milan.

More than 150 scientific papers were presented, all of the highest value, and published in the most prestigious international journals, by researchers working in the most important Italian universities and hospitals, such as the IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, the University of Turin, the National Institute of Tumors in Milan, the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, and the University of Studies "Magna Graecia" in Catanzaro just to name a few. 

The focus of the research is on topics ranging from cutting-edge techniques for early detection of cancer to new perspectives on both medical and surgical treatment, to oncogenetics.

“In recent years we have awarded numerous researchers under 35 for work published in prestigious journals that has turned into cures for our patients. This is a great sign of hope for research in Italy. We have a future because of these young genius minds and great teachers who teach in our universities, stimulating them to engage in research and engage with the rest of the world.

Professor Kienle, after whom our Award is named, was one of these teachers for so many physicians, and it is a pleasure and honor for us today to support and create new enthusiasm in these very talented young colleagues,” emphasizes Dr. Andrea D'Alessio, vice-president of S.O.S. and a member of the Award Committee.

The Award was established in memory of Professor Marzia Galli Kienle: a former professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Milan-Bicocca and longtime president of the degree program in Medicine and Surgery at the same university; she was president of the Association until her death. 

In recent years, S.O.S. has already awarded grants to some 50 promising researchers in Lombardy, and now the commitment is expanding to support research not only in Lombardy, but nationwide. 

“To have succeeded in transforming the award from Lombard to national is for our Association a source of great pride and satisfaction,” emphasizes Olivo Foglieni, S.O.S. president. For this I must thank all those who worked to ensure that what until a few years ago seemed like a dream could become a reality: the many researchers who participated, the judging committee composed of leading figures from the medical and university world from all over Italy, and the sponsors who believed in us and in our association. One of the missions of S.O.S., alongside humanizing patient care, is precisely to support scientific research, and we are proud to be able to contribute in such an important way by rewarding the best young Italian researchers.”

“A wonderful initiative of the S.O.S. Onlus Association to remember Professor Kienle. I am honored to have chaired the Award Committee and happy to have seen the extraordinary quality of young people involved in oncology research in Italy,” comments Professor Ruggero De Maria, president of Alleanza Contro il Cancro and the Award Committee.