Temi di Ricerca

My research interests are aimed to the development of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer and in particular for brain tumor, as well as biomarkers for treatment response, utilizing multimodal imaging techniques (PET/SPECT/MRI, Optical Imaging). Specifically, my research activities encompass:

a) Development of novel radiopharmaceuticals for tumor molecular imaging.
b) Development of new imaging biomarkers in murine and cellular models of tumors.
c) Validation of metabolic modulators as potential therapeutic agents for tumors.

Furthermore, a portion of my research is dedicated to the establishment and optimization of SPECT procedures in collaboration with physicists and engineers, facilitated by the acquisition of a SPECT system

CV

Collaborazioni Nazionali

Main collaboration for Imaging procedures and preclinical models:  IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Tecnomed Foundation

Other collaborations are with Università degli Studi di Milano (Prof.ssa Ottobrini, Dott.ssa Vaira)

IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico di Milano (Dott.ssa Caroli, Dott.ssa Navone)

University of Turin (Prof. Terreno)

Collaborazioni Interazionali

Prof. Andreas H. Jacobs, European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster

Bibliografia recente di maggior rilevanza

1. Iannone MN, Valtorta S, Stucchi S, Altomonte S, Turolla EA, Vino E, Rainone P, Zecca V, Lo Dico A, Maspero M, Figini M, Bellone M, Ciceri S, Colombo D, Chinello C, Pagani L, Moresco RM, Todde S, Ferraboschi P. Automated radiosynthesis and preclinical evaluation of two new PSMA-617 derivatives radiolabelled via [18F]AlF2+ method. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem. 2024 Jun 21;9(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s41181-024-00280-0.

2. Pieri V, Gallotti AL, Drago D, Cominelli M, Pagano I, Conti V, Valtorta S, Coliva A, Lago S, Michelatti D, Massimino L, Ungaro F, Perani L, Spinelli A, Castellano A, Falini A, Zippo A, Poliani PL, Moresco RM, Andolfo A, Galli R. Aberrant L-Fucose Accumulation and Increased Core Fucosylation Are Metabolic Liabilities in Mesenchymal Glioblastoma. Cancer Res. 2023 Jan 18;83(2):195-218. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-0677.

3. Valtorta S, Lo Dico A, Raccagni I, Martelli C, Pieri V, Rainone P, Todde S, Zinnhardt B, De Bernardi E, Coliva A, Politi LS, Viel T, Jacobs AH, Galli R, Ottobrini L, Vaira V, Moresco RM.” Imaging Metformin Efficacy as Add-On Therapy in Cells and Mouse Models of Human EGFR Glioblastoma.” Front Oncol. 2021 May 3;11:664149.

4. Foray C, Valtorta S, Barca C, Winkeler A, Roll W, Müther M, Wagner S, Gardner ML, Hermann S, Schäfers M, Grauer OM, Moresco RM, Zinnhardt B, Jacobs AH. ”Imaging temozolomide-induced changes in the myeloid glioma microenvironment.” Theranostics. 2021 Jan 1;11(5):2020-2033.

5. Valtorta S, Salvatore D, Rainone P, Belloli S, Bertoli G, Moresco RM. “Molecular and Cellular Complexity of Glioma. Focus on Tumour Microenvironment and the Use of Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers to Overcome Treatment Resistance.” Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Aug 6;21(16):5631.

6. Valtorta S, Lo Dico A, Raccagni I, Gaglio D, Belloli S, Politi LS, Martelli C, Diceglie C, Bonanomi M, Ercoli G, Vaira V, Ottobrini L, Moresco RM. “Metformin and Temozolomide, a synergic option to overcome resistance in glioblastoma multiforme models” Oncotarget. 2017 Dec 6;8(68):113090-113104.

7. Valtorta S, Moro M, Prisinzano G, Bertolini G, Tortoreto M, Raccagni I, Pastorino U, Roz L, Sozzi G, Moresco RM. “Metabolic Evaluation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Models Using 18F-FDG PET: A Potential Tool for Early Therapy Response”. J Nucl Med. 2017 Jan;58(1):42-47. Epub 2016 Oct 20.

8. Lo Dico A, Valtorta S, Martelli C, Belloli S, Gianelli U, Tosi D, Bosari S, Degrassi A, Russo M, Raccagni I, Lucignani G, Moresco RM, Ottobrini L. ″Validation of an engineered cell model for in vitro and in vivo HIF-1α evaluation by different imaging modalities″. Mol Imaging Biol. 2014 Apr;16(2):210-23.

9. Valtorta S, Belloli S, Sanvito F, Masiello V, Di Grigoli G, Monterisi C, Fazio F, Picchio M, Moresco RM. ″Comparison of 18F-fluoroazomycin-arabinofuranoside and 64Cu-diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) in preclinical models of cancer″. J Nucl Med. 2013 Jul;54(7):1106-12.

10. Cottone L*, Valtorta S*, Capobianco A, Belloli S, Rovere-Querini P, Fazio F, Manfredi AA, Moresco RM. ″Evaluation of the role of tumor-associated macrophages in an experimental model of peritoneal carcinomatosis using (18)F-FDG PET″. J Nucl Med. 2011 Nov;52(11):1770-7.