Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS

At Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS in Florence, clinical research in Gastroenterologia e Nutrizione focuses strongly on digestive system diseases, especially Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and broader inflammatory bowel disease. The trials are designed to improve treatment effectiveness, refine long-term disease control, and support more personalized care for children and adolescents.

• Testing newer therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Evaluating strategies to improve symptom control and reduce disease flares in inflammatory bowel disease
• Studying treatment durability and safety in pediatric gastrointestinal care

The site’s work also extends to nutritional and metabolic diseases, reflecting the close connection between digestion, growth, and overall pediatric health.

A major part of the research portfolio at this site covers immune system diseases and musculoskeletal diseases, with a strong emphasis on juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and uveitis. These studies aim to compare treatment approaches, improve disease control, and help clinicians tailor therapy more precisely for young patients.

• Comparing treatment approaches in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Studying biologic therapies for juvenile psoriatic arthritis and related conditions
• Assessing better ways to manage uveitis linked to pediatric inflammatory disease

This research supports safer long-term management of chronic inflammatory conditions in children and adolescents.

The research landscape includes extensive work in neoplasms, hemic and lymphatic diseases, and genetic phenomena, with trials involving acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, medulloblastoma, and other childhood cancers. The main goal is to improve survival, reduce relapse risk, and optimize treatment for young patients with high-risk or relapsed disease.

• Evaluating new treatment combinations for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma
• Studying better strategies for Hodgkin lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma
• Testing approaches to improve outcomes in medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma

These trials reflect a strong pediatric cancer program at Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer IRCCS, with an emphasis on more effective and individualized care.

Research in nervous system diseases includes studies of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, refractory focal onset epilepsy, and migraine. The trials are focused on finding better seizure control, easing headache burden, and improving day-to-day functioning for children and adolescents.

• Testing new options for difficult-to-control epilepsy syndromes
• Evaluating preventive and symptomatic treatments for migraine
• Exploring therapies for rare neurodevelopmental disorders

This area combines symptom relief with longer-term safety and quality-of-life goals.

The site also conducts trials in respiratory tract diseases, bacterial infections, and virus diseases, including cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, influenza, sepsis, and serious hospital-acquired infections. These studies aim to improve infection control, lung function, and treatment outcomes in vulnerable pediatric patients.

• Assessing new therapies for cystic fibrosis and related lung disease
• Studying better management of severe infections in hospitalized children
• Evaluating ways to support respiratory health in chronic pediatric disease

The research combines practical infection management with long-term respiratory care.

Another important focus is hormonal diseases and nutritional and metabolic diseases, with studies in growth hormone deficiency, short stature, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and rare metabolic conditions. The purpose is to improve growth, metabolic balance, and long-term health outcomes in children.

• Evaluating treatments for growth disorders and short stature
• Studying care approaches for obesity and diabetes
• Investigating therapies for rare metabolic diseases

These trials support earlier intervention and more individualized pediatric endocrine care.

Clinical research at the Florence site also includes cardiovascular diseases and kidney disease, such as heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic kidney disease, and proteinuria. In parallel, the program covers several rare genetic disorders, aiming to improve safety, disease control, and long-term outcomes.

• Testing new approaches for heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Evaluating treatments for chronic kidney disease and proteinuria
• Studying therapies for rare inherited conditions and complex pediatric syndromes

This work highlights a broad commitment to both common chronic illnesses and uncommon diseases requiring specialized care.