The Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world, significantly affecting an aging population. We discuss this topic with Professor Rossella Marcucci, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Florence, Head of the Atherothrombotic Disease Unit at Careggi, and leader of Spoke 2 of THE – Tuscany Health Ecosystem. .
Prevention and gender health. Even among women, who on average live longer than men, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death, surpassing even cancer. Although women may gain a few more years, these additional years are not always lived in good health: cardiovascular diseases, in fact, significantly impact the quality of this phase of life. It is crucial to promote awareness among the population because many of these diseases can be prevented. Intervening decades earlier, through healthy lifestyles and appropriate preventive pathways, can make a difference.
Personalized medicine for antithrombotic therapies. We are studying the ‘response’ to antithrombotic therapies used to treat all atherosclerosis-related diseases: from myocardial infarction to ischemic stroke and peripheral artery disease. In all these conditions, we use antithrombotic therapies, primarily aspirin, which inhibit platelet function. Studies show that the response to aspirin and other platelet aggregation inhibitors varies among patients, affecting both the efficacy and safety of these drugs in terms of thrombotic and bleeding risks. This is an excellent model of personalized medicine, demonstrating how it is possible to select the right drug at the right dosage for a specific patient at a particular point in their clinical history. It is an innovative process that is revolutionizing cardiovascular treatment.
Development of predictive markers. Research is ongoing to identify early markers to recognize patients at higher risk of future thrombotic events. In Spoke 2, we are developing a device capable of ‘measuring’ clot permeability, recognizing this as a predictive marker for primary prevention and a prognostic indicator for secondary prevention.
Heart failure and gut microbiota. In recent years, significant attention has been given to the relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular prognosis. In Spoke 2, we have developed a nutritional bar with supplements that is administered and tested on a group of heart failure patients. Our patients also suffer from atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia, as it is also linked to aging. We aim to reduce inflammation and the risk of thromboembolic complications.
Repurposing statins for cancer therapy. We have tested a class of drugs widely used in cardiovascular disease, statins, as potential antitumor agents for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, one of the most aggressive cancers. This study, entirely funded by THE ecosystem, tested the efficacy of statins in vitro and in vivo models, in combination with engineered antibodies targeting specific molecular targets of the tumor, and resulted in a patent application.
These projects within THE ecosystem demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated and innovative approach to cardiovascular health, focusing on personalized medicine, prevention, and new therapeutic applications of existing drugs.
