Director: Prof. Simone Mocellin

Our research unit is dedicated to advancing the field of surgical oncology, with a particular focus on melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The unit integrates clinical innovation, translational science, and healthcare system sustainability. The team also benefits from the complementary expertise of Professor Marco Rastrelli in melanoma/sarcoma surgery and Professor Alessandra Buja in healthcare quality management/ epidemiology. Our numerous collaborations with the University of Padua departments — DIMED, DIBIO, SDB, and DSFARM — ensure excellence in pathology, diagnostic accuracy, molecular oncology and clinical data modeling.

Research Focus and Mission

Our overarching mission is to improve the outcomes of patients affected by complex oncological diseases through the development of standardized, evidence-based clinical pathways, and the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine care. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach that bridges surgery, oncology, molecular biology, and health services research.

1. Clinical Pathways, Quality Assurance, and Cost-Effectiveness in Melanoma and Sarcoma Care

The design and implementation of standardized clinical pathways is central to our work. We advocate for protocols based on minimum standards of care that not only ensure clinical excellence but also enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems. This is particularly urgent in the treatment of melanoma, where the rapid expansion of high-cost systemic therapies poses serious challenges to long-term affordability.

Professor Mocellin and Professor Alessandra Buja have played leading roles in national and European initiatives to promote quality assurance (QA) in melanoma and sarcoma surgery. These include participation in the European COST Action network and the development of region-wide QA parameters in the Veneto region. Our unit is currently involved in a rigorous evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of melanoma clinical pathways, employing real-world data to inform policy and practice.

In the field of soft tissue sarcomas, our team has contributed to evidence showing that adherence to clinical guidelines significantly impacts patient survival. Furthermore, we are at the forefront of efforts to improve diagnostic concordance among pathologists—an essential prerequisite for effective treatment planning. In collaboration with Professor Buja, we are now developing a quality assurance framework for sarcoma care based on validated indicators.

2. Innovation in Locoregional Therapies for Advanced Solid Tumors

Our unit maintains a robust clinical and translational research program focused on locoregional therapies for patients with locally advanced or inoperable tumors. These include:

• Isolated Limb Perfusion (ILP): A limb-preserving treatment for patients with advanced melanoma and high-grade sarcomas of the extremities.
• Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): Used in conjunction with cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancies, including mesothelioma, pseudomyxoma peritonei, and carcinomatosis from colorectal and ovarian origin.
• Electrochemotherapy (ECT): A non-systemic, minimally invasive treatment modality for cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors, including melanoma metastases, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and selected breast cancer and sarcoma lesions.

These therapies are evaluated both as clinical interventions and as components of multimodal treatment algorithms. Through investigator-initiated trials and collaborations, our group aims to refine patient selection criteria and optimize therapeutic outcomes.

3. Translational Oncology: Molecular Biomarkers and Precision Medicine

A key pillar of our research agenda lies in the identification and clinical validation of molecular biomarkers for prognostic and predictive use. Our biomarker research includes both somatic and germline alterations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), gene expression profiles, and protein markers.

We focus on developing multivariable prognostic models that incorporate molecular, pathological, and clinical data to support individualized patient care. These models, often implemented as nomograms, are intended to predict outcomes such as recurrence, treatment response, and survival—supporting a fully integrated precision oncology approach. Our methodological platform is based on quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and transcriptomic approaches, with a particular focus on spatial transcriptomics and is supported by rigorous biostatistical modeling.

Vision

Our unit aspires to be a reference center for integrated oncological research that combines surgical innovation, translational science, and systems-based thinking. We are committed to training the next generation of clinician-scientists and to fostering international collaborations that push the boundaries of what is possible in cancer care.

People involved:
Simone Mocellin (full professor of surgery)
Marco Rastrelli (assistant professor)
Luigi Dall'Olmo (senior researcher)

Group members:
MarcoDomenico Mazza (surgeon, IOV-IRCCS of Padova), Saveria Tropea (surgeon, IOV-IRCCS of Padova), Francesco Russano (surgeon, IOV-IRCCS of Padova), Teresa Picone (surgeon, IOV-IRCCS of Padova), Alessandra Buja (epidemiologist, University of Padova), Clara Benna (biologist, University of Padova), Giampaolo Moscardi (research collaborator for research management, University of Padova), Sabrina Carraro (case manager, IOV-IRCCS of Padova), Paolo del Fiore (physician-research assistant, IOV-IRCCS of Padova)