A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino Di Messina

At A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino Di Messina, a major focus is on gastroenterology and immunology, especially Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and chronic pouchitis in children and adolescents. These studies are designed to improve treatment effectiveness, support safer long-term disease control, and refine how care is tailored for young patients with inflammatory conditions.

• Inflammatory bowel disease research in pediatric Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Studies in chronic pouchitis to assess remission and symptom control
• Evaluation of new and established therapies to improve durable response and safety

These trials reflect strong activity in digestive system diseases and immune system diseases, with an emphasis on better outcomes for children living with chronic intestinal inflammation.

Another important area is rheumatology, with clinical research centered on juvenile idiopathic arthritis and related autoimmune disorders. The main purpose is to improve decisions about treatment continuation or withdrawal, while also testing strategies that may preserve remission and reduce unnecessary medication exposure.

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and treatment de-escalation in remission
• Comparisons of standard care with more personalized treatment approaches
• Research aimed at maintaining disease control while improving safety

This work highlights the site’s interest in immune-mediated diseases and more individualized care for children with chronic inflammatory joint disease.

The site also contributes to research in neurology and rare diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, epilepsy, Rett syndrome, and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. These trials aim to evaluate new therapies, understand long-term benefit, and support better symptom management in complex childhood conditions.

• Spinal muscular atrophy and muscle-strengthening treatment research
• Childhood absence epilepsy and juvenile absence epilepsy
• Studies in rare neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders

Overall, the research portfolio in this area combines nervous system diseases with pediatric rare-disease care, focusing on meaningful functional improvement.

There is substantial activity in liver disease, metabolic disease, and endocrinology, including studies in NASH/MASH, alcohol-related liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and Cushing’s disease. The trials are mainly intended to test new therapies, measure clinical benefit, and improve disease control in chronic metabolic and hormonal conditions.

• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
• Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related cardiometabolic risk
• Cushing’s disease and other hormone-related disorders

This therapeutic mix shows a broad commitment to nutritional and metabolic diseases and hormonal diseases, with a focus on improving long-term organ health.

Cardiovascular research at this site includes acute myocardial infarction, stroke prevention, heart failure, hypertension, and amyloid cardiomyopathy. The purpose of these trials is to evaluate better ways to reduce major cardiovascular events, improve blood pressure control, and support safer treatment choices for high-risk patients.

• Acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction
• Hypertension, including resistant forms
• Heart failure and transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy

This area connects cardiovascular diseases with prevention-focused research aimed at lowering complications and improving outcomes over time.

Trials in respiratory medicine and infectious diseases include cystic fibrosis, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus infection, and bronchiectasis. The research is generally focused on assessing new treatments, improving respiratory function, and supporting better management of infections in vulnerable patients.

• Cystic fibrosis treatment and long-term respiratory health
• Influenza and RSV in infants and hospitalized patients
• Studies aimed at improving breathing outcomes and infection control

These studies strengthen the site’s profile in respiratory tract diseases and virus diseases, with special relevance for pediatric care.

Clinical research in eye diseases includes dry eye disease, neurotrophic keratopathy, persistent corneal epithelial defects, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. These trials are intended to test new eye therapies, improve healing of the ocular surface, and reduce symptoms that can affect vision and comfort.

• Dry eye disease and symptom relief
• Corneal epithelial healing and persistent defects
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis and postoperative eye inflammation

This work shows active interest in improving both treatment effectiveness and quality of life for patients with chronic eye conditions.

The site contributes to studies in neoplasms, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. The main goal is to evaluate new treatment approaches, improve disease control, and explore better outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

• Acute and chronic leukemias, including Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL
• Multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies
• Neuroendocrine tumors, meningioma, and other solid tumors

This portfolio spans both common and rare cancers, reflecting a broad effort to advance oncology care through clinical research.

Research in nephrology and immune system disorders includes chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, and kidney disease linked to systemic inflammation. These trials aim to assess whether targeted treatments can slow kidney decline, reduce proteinuria, and improve long-term renal outcomes.

• Chronic kidney disease and progression prevention
• IgA nephropathy and proteinuria reduction
• Studies testing more personalized kidney-directed treatment strategies

The research reflects a strong focus on digestive system and immune-related physiology as well as chronic renal disease management.

The site also studies inherited and rare conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, late-onset Pompe disease, and primary mitochondrial disease. These trials are aimed at evaluating long-term safety, supporting disease stabilization, and improving function in patients with serious genetic disorders.

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy and muscle preservation
• Pompe disease and enzyme-related metabolic care
• Primary mitochondrial disease and other inherited conditions

This area underscores the department’s expertise in congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases, especially conditions requiring specialized pediatric and family-centered care.