On 27th March, the world celebrates the 63rd edition of World Theatre Day, an initiative established in 1961 at the proposal of Finnish playwright Arvi Kivimaa during the 9th Congress of the International Theatre Institute (ITI).

The first World Theatre Day took place on 27th March 1962 in Paris, marking the opening of the Theatre of Nations season. Since then, it has been celebrated in over a hundred countries through ITI’s National Centres.

Each year, the occasion is highlighted by a message on theatre and peace delivered to the international community by a prominent figure from the performing arts.

Notable past contributors include Italian artists Luchino Visconti (1973) and Dario Fo (2013), as well as, more recently, Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub (2023) and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse (2024), whose message, Art is Peace, reflected on the deep connection between theatre, artistic expression, and the universal value of peace.

This year, the message has been entrusted to Greek actor, playwright, director, and pedagogue Theodoros Terzopoulos, who explores theatre’s ability to ‘hear the cry for help that our times are sending out in a world of impoverished citizens, locked in cells of virtual reality, entrenched in their suffocating privacy.’

On this occasion, rather than asking whether theatre, a form of art that has accompanied humanity for over three millennia, can resolve major global issues, we reflect on whether the stage and storytelling can still inspire society to critically engage with its weaknesses and mistakes.

‘Theatre’s ability to impact communities has been repeatedly proven throughout history, as evidenced by the suspicion with which those in power have often regarded it,’ says Paolo Quazzolo, Associate Professor of Theatre History at the University of Trieste.

‘Its ‘live’ nature, the magnetism of actors performing directly before an audience, the profound emotions evoked by the stage – these have often led to censorship attempts, though always in vain.
Theatre’s power has never waned, even in a society that, after centuries of gradual transformation, has undergone a rapid technological revolution. Cinema, television, digital media, and now the internet have all been strong competitors, yet theatre has survived, retaining its unique persuasive force.

In 2020, during the pandemic, theatres were among the first institutions to close. Organisers sought alternative solutions, often moving performances online, leading to fears that audiences might not return to physical theatres once the emergency ended. However, this was not the case—spectators eagerly returned, reaffirming the cultural, social, and political strength of theatre, which it will always continue to hold.’

Once again, the Aula Magna of the University of Trieste hosted the selections for the 18th edition of the Coppa Aurea, a team math competition that pits high school students from across Italy against each other.

Over 200 participants, representing 24 schools from Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, from the provinces of Trieste, Gorizia, Udine, Pordenone, Treviso, Venice, and Padua, competed in the event organized by the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geosciences at UniTS.

The Leonardo da Vinci high school from Treviso raised the cup in Piazzale Europa with the team "I 7 del Leone"; the second place was claimed by the Galilei high school, which, after seven years, brought a school from Friuli Venezia Giulia back onto the podium with the team "I Piani Complessi."

The third place went to the Ippolito Nievo high school from Padua with the team "Gente poco seria," while just outside the podium, the fourth place was sweet for the ISIS Malignani of Udine, which secured the last qualifying spot for the national finals scheduled for May in Cesenatico.

The preliminaries were held simultaneously at 37 locations across Italy, with a total of 4788 students tackling 21 questions.

The "Coppa Aurea" is an initiative aimed at engaging students with mathematics in a fun and playful way. The required team-based approach encourages participants to organize tasks rationally and, most importantly, fosters collaboration and respect for others.

The Trieste trophy will be up for grabs again in the next edition and will be awarded definitively to the institution that wins three times. Currently, the Ippolito Nievo high school from Padua leads with two victories, followed by the da Vinci high school from Treviso and the Levi high school from Montebelluna, each with one win.

The School of Specialization in Forensic Medicine at the University of Trieste participated for the fourth consecutive year in the most important event in forensic pathology worldwide, the international conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, held in Baltimore (Maryland) from February 17 to 22, 2025.

This edition, focused on technological innovation in forensic medicine, titled “Technology: a tool for transformation or tyranny?” featured a team of young doctors trained by UniTS, consisting of Davide Radaelli, Monica Concato, Stefano Di Maria, and Filippo Bolzan, who were involved in four oral presentations and two posters.

“Our newly specialized doctors and residents,” explains Professor Stefano D’Errico, professor of Forensic Medicine at the Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences at UniTS and director of the Complex Structure of Forensic Medicine at ASUGI, “presented the results achieved in a year of challenging fieldwork and the fruits of solid scientific collaborations with other Italian and international academic institutions.”

The residents' interventions referred to forensic cases collected by the Trieste Forensic Medicine department, applying a rigorous methodology that spans from the crime scene to the research laboratory, including the autopsy table. The works presented by the Trieste team were selected from thousands of submissions from around the world.

A major innovation this year was the prestigious collaboration with the interregional Scientific Police Department of Padua, which provided its expertise and resources in reconstructing and interpreting a complex suicide scenario using three-dimensional virtual animation techniques. Special interest was raised by the studies that the School of Forensic Medicine at UniTS is conducting on markers of autophagy in traumatic cranio-encephalic injuries and lipidomic profiles in sudden coronary cardiac deaths.

“As the title of the international conference suggests, forensic medicine is also a discipline that looks to the future and technological innovation,” points out Professor Stefano D’Errico. “The involvement of both medical and non-medical professionals demonstrates the value of interdisciplinarity in the search for high-quality evidence to serve the administration of justice.”

Among the works selected by the scientific board of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences is also the project for a Balkan register of sudden cardiac deaths in youth, inspired by the unique initiative of the regional register in Friuli Venezia Giulia, which involves not only UniTS but also the Universities of Belgrade, Skopje, Athens, Ankara, and Ljubljana.

The project, coordinated by the forensic medicine and cardiology departments of ASUGI, was launched following the recent international congress on the topic, held in Trieste in October 2024. “In this way,” continues Professor D’Errico, “we aim to continue the work carried out across the entire regional territory, while also exploring the role of ethnicity in the pathogenesis of sudden cardiac death.” Trieste is the leader of this project due to the experience gained, thanks to the efforts of all colleagues across the provinces who contribute to the registry, and, of course, the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which has promoted and continues to support the regional register of sudden cardiac deaths in youth since 2021.

“A decisive boost in this direction,” concludes D’Errico, “will come from setting up a forensic toxicology laboratory within the Forensic Medicine Department, which, I hope, will soon meet the growing demands of citizens and local authorities engaged in safeguarding public health and rights.”

The University of Trieste hosted, as part of the activities of the international alliance Transform4Europe, a training week dedicated to the Common European Cultural Heritage. This event saw the participation of around forty students from nine universities involved in the project.

The T4EU Common European Heritage Week, held from Monday, February 24 to Friday, February 28, aimed to celebrate the cultural heritage of border areas and its capacity to inspire renewed and multicultural dialogue through the new generations.

The week's program included workshops and field visits for the participants, but also three days (Tuesday, February 25, Wednesday, February 26, and Thursday, February 27) dedicated to the international conference "Transborder Heritage: A Multidisciplinary Approach," which included seminars for the entire university community and three afternoon talks – in English with Italian translation – open to the public.

Anthropology, history, and architecture were the three fields of knowledge from which the complexities of the relationships between borders and cultural heritage were explored, addressing themes such as identity, memory, and cultural heritage in border regions, with contributions from three international experts: Alessandro Monsutti (anthropologist, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva), Borut Klabjan (historian, Science and Research Centre of Koper/Capodistria), and Neža Čebron Lipovec (expert in architectural heritage conservation, University of Primorska, Koper/Capodistria).

The talks, designed to stimulate critical thinking and creativity, covered topics such as cultural mobility, the challenges of collective memory, and the opportunities for integration offered by a heritage that goes far beyond mere historical legacy.

The students participating in the initiative, coming from universities in nine different European countries – Saarland University (Germany), Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Portugal), University of Primorska (Slovenia), Jean Monnet University (France), University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland), Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria), Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas (Lithuania), and the University of Trieste – concluded their training experience on Friday, February 28, with an initiative that pays homage to the spirit of GO2025, in which the capital of Gorizia and Nova Gorica are once again united in their role as the European Capital of Culture.

The students explored the history of the Italian-Slovenian border between Gorizia and Nova Gorica and visited three highly significant exhibitions: the Museum of the Border, which contextualizes the historical division between East and West in post-war Europe; the Smuggling Museum, which highlights the informal cross-border exchanges that characterized local life; and the Special Permit Museum (“Lasciapassare/Propustnica”), which testifies to the rigor of bureaucracy and the impact of movement restrictions.

PROGRAM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

February 25, 5:00 PM – Sala Tessitori, Regione FVG, pz. Oberdan 5
Homo Sapiens, Homo Itinerans - Prof. Alessandro Monsutti
Migration has become a hot topic in both media and political debates, sparking strongly polarized public opinions. This talk will analyze different dimensions to debunk some of the dominant narratives: the long history of human mobility; the transition from colonial empires to nation-states; growing economic inequalities and demographic disparities; the persistence and fragmentation of conflicts. The migrant, and particularly the refugee, may be the political figure of our time, a symbol of the international and intra-national relations that define today's world.

Alessandro Monsutti is a professor at the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. He was a Research Fellow at Yale University (2008-2010), a MacArthur Foundation grantee (2004-2006), Visiting Professor at the University of Vienna (2012, 2021) and Arizona State University (2014), and a Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna (2020). He has collaborated as a consultant for various international organizations and NGOs, such as the UNHCR, and conducted extensive field research in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and more recently in Western countries among Afghan refugees and migrants. He is the author and editor of numerous books, including War and Migration: Social Networks and Economic Strategies of the Hazaras of Afghanistan (2005) and Homo Itinerans: Towards a Global Ethnography of Afghanistan (2020).

February 26, 5:00 PM – Aula Magna, IUSLIT, Via Filzi 14
Cuius Regio Eius Natio. Building Memories, Shaping Histories, Negotiating Identifications - Prof. Borut Klabjan
The area of the current Italian-Slovenian border has undergone numerous regime changes during the 20th century. This is not something particularly new or peculiar to this area; however, the continuous flow of states, populations, and administrations has shaped not only the borders but also the hearts and minds of ordinary people. The impact on these local populations is not just a matter of regional history but represents a laboratory for the past, present, and future of Europe.

Borut Klabjan is a professor of History, specializing in the political and social history of Central and Southeastern Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries. He is currently the Principal Investigator of the ERC Advanced Grant Cold War Europe beyond Borders, which proposes a transnational history of cross-border practices in the Adriatic-Alpine area from World War II to the present, based at the Science and Research Centre of Koper, Slovenia. He has been a Fellow at Humboldt University in Berlin, the Institute for Southeast European Studies in Regensburg, the EUI in Florence, and LMU in Munich. His latest edited volume, Borderlands of Memory. Adriatic and Central European Perspectives, was published by Peter Lang Oxford, and his recent book The Fire that Embraced Europe. The Story of the Narodni dom in Trieste 1920-2020 was published in Slovenian (2021) and Italian (2023).

February 27, 5:00 PM – Aula Magna, IUSLIT, Via Filzi 14
Mirrorings and Entanglements in the Urban Spaces along Contested Borders - Prof. Neža Čebron Lipovec
Borders can be walls and barbed wire fences, but they can also represent bridges. In both cases, they are elements that are designed and constructed. Borders may appear as “ghost lines” on the map, fluid spaces, yet they can act as a point of reference, establishing visual dialogues even between elements of the built environment. In the Upper Adriatic region, many buildings "speak," telling stories of historical turmoil, aspirations, and appropriations. Sometimes they converse with each other, other times they shout across the border, ignoring each other. In other situations, these dialogues merge in the layers of a single building, becoming palimpsests waiting to be revealed, discovered, and heard again. This talk will analyze some of these sites, attempting to "listen" to them in order to understand the interaction between architecture and memory, and how people interact with them in an attempt to preserve them.

Neža Čebron Lipovec is an expert in architectural heritage studies and its conservation, working at the Department and Institute of Archaeology and Heritage at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Primorska (Slovenia). Her research areas include the history and conservation of post-war architecture and critical studies of built heritage. She collaborates in numerous national and international research projects and is a member of the UNESCO Chair on Interpretation and Education for Integrated Heritage at the University of Primorska, as well as a member of the Management Board of the New European Bauhaus Academy Pioneer Hub for Sustainable Built Environments with Renewable Materials (NEBAP Hub).

PROGRAM FOR THE UNITS COMMUNITY

• February 25: Anthropology and Identities between Borders
• February 26: History and Memories in Border Areas
• February 27: Architecture and Transborder Spaces

The last days to visit the exhibition "1924-2024. A century of history of the University of Trieste. Images and documents." The exhibition, dedicated to the Centenary of the Trieste University and hosted in the magnificent spaces of the Bastione Fiorito at the San Giusto Castle, will close on Sunday, November 10.

The installation, created by the University of Trieste with the support of the University's Museum System (smaTs) and in co-organization with the Municipality of Trieste and with the contribution of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, has been a great success so far, registering almost 15,000 visitors.

The creation of the exhibition, one of the main events of the program celebrating the hundred years since the foundation of the University, represents the perfect expression of the synergy between local institutions that UniTS strongly pursued during this year dedicated to telling its history and sharing a vision for the future.

It was also an opportunity for the University to meet the citizens in a symbolic location of the city, such as the San Giusto Castle, which is a shared heritage.

The exhibition route also allowed the University of Trieste to experiment with a fruitful dialogue with the city's, regional, and even broader cultural world, unveiling its documentary, historical, architectural, and artistic heritage.

For those who haven't visited yet, the exhibition is divided into four distinct parts, balancing historical sources and aesthetic references.

The historical section, curated by Tullia Catalan and Lorenzo Ielen, traces the history of the hundred years of the Trieste University through a selection of images, documents, and videos from the University’s Historical Archive and numerous public and private archives, both local and regional. This section tells the journey that led the University to international openness, especially in the fields of research and technical-scientific disciplines.

The architectural section, curated by Paolo Nicoloso and Marko Pogacnik, focuses on the design of the central building of the University in 1938, a structure with strong symbolic references. Illustrated through technical drawings from the time and some images, this section presents the complexity and richness of the solutions developed by the designers.

The audiovisual section, curated by Massimiliano Spanu and Daniele Terzoli, highlights the rediscovered film Pagine d’Università, made in 1956 by Anna Gruber, an actress, director, screenwriter, and internationally renowned Triestine writer. The film was found in the A. Hortis Civic Library - Diplomatic and Archival Collections. Other films displayed in the exhibition are from the Istituto Luce Historical Archive and the La Cineteca del Friuli - Cinema Archive of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Archival research was carried out in collaboration with the La Cappella Underground research center.

The artistic section, curated by Massimo Degrassi and Lorenzo Michelli, includes a selection of works—now preserved in the Rectorate's Pinacoteca—presented in 1953 at the National Exhibition of Contemporary Italian Painting held at the University of Trieste. The final part of the exhibition presents a selection of works donated to the University by thirty-five artists and collectors on the occasion of this Centenary.

The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is included in the ticket for the San Giusto Castle (full price 6 euros; reduced 4 euros).

On the occasion of the finissage on Sunday, November 10, there will be a free guided tour at 11:00 AM.

The "Centenary Stamp" of the University of Trieste, included by Poste Italiane in the thematic series "Excellences of Knowledge," has been issued by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

With a standard value of €1.25, the stamp features a reimagining of the anniversary logo, set against a background with the institutional colors of the UniTS centenary. The logo depicts, in a line drawing, the central building of the university with the number "100" rising behind it like the sun.

Along with Trieste, the universities of Naples "Federico II" and Florence, which are celebrating their 800th and 100th anniversaries since their founding, have also commemorated their significant milestones with a philatelic issuance.

“These small works of art aim to celebrate the world of academia, science, and education,” commented UniTS Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. “The symbol depicted on our stamp points to a new dawn of knowledge and honors the significant cultural synthesis work of a complex region like Friuli Venezia Giulia, carried out by our university. A journey that culminated in the year of our centenary with the conferral of honorary degrees to President Mattarella and Borut Pahor, former President of Slovenia.”

The philatelic issuance is thus a tribute and thanks for the work and educational and research activities carried out by the three universities, whose history runs parallel to that of our country and intertwines with the fate of millions of students.

“Today, more than ever, we need to value who we are and where we come from,” stated Minister Urso. “Italians are recognized worldwide as great producers of culture for humanity, a differential that makes our Made in Italy competitive. Knowledge, study, and science are fundamental, as is the contribution provided by our universities and research centers.”

“There is a link between the symbolic value of the stamp and the real value of the universities. And this link serves as both a testament to the past and an anticipator of the future, of how we imagine the future,” said Minister of Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini. “But it’s not just that, just like higher education, the stamp is a symbol of connection between people. It has a unique value. It has a unique charm, which is to tell stories, commemorate and celebrate anniversaries and personalities. It has a historical, cultural, and artistic dimension,” Bernini concluded.

The philatelic cancellation ceremony, which marks the entry into circulation of the three new commemorative stamps, was attended by the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, the Minister of Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Undersecretary of State with a delegation for philately, Fausta Bergamotto. Also present were the Magnificent Rectors of the three universities involved: Roberto Di Lenarda for the University of Trieste, Alessandra Petrucci for the University of Florence, and Matteo Lorito for the University Federico II of Naples. Representatives from Poste Italiane and the Poligrafico and Zecca dello Stato Institute were also present.

The stamps are printed by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato S.p.A., using rotogravure on white, neutral-coated, self-adhesive paper with optical brightener.

Print run: two hundred fifty thousand and twenty copies for each stamp

Designs: University of Trieste, Paola Russo; University of Naples “Federico II” and University of Florence, Maria Carmela Perrini.

The first-day cancellation will be available at the philatelic counter of the Roma V.R. postal office for all stamps.

The stamps and related philatelic products, postcards, cards, and illustrated bulletins will be available at postal offices with a philatelic counter, the “Spazio Filatelia” in Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome, Rome 1, Turin, Trieste, Venice, Verona, and on the website filatelia.poste.it.

Generating social, cultural, and economic development, also through the fight against inequalities and the enhancement of cultural heritage.

This is the goal reaffirmed by APEnet, the Association involving 57 Italian universities and research institutions, aimed at promoting and developing public engagement and the social impact of actions resulting from research activities, during the "Destinazione Public Engagement #6" event, hosted this year by the University of Trieste.

The meeting, which saw the participation of 130 representatives from the associated institutions, provided a broad discussion on the strategies through which the scientific and academic communities can contribute to the inclusive development of the country.

Giulia Carluccio, President of APEnet and Vice-Rector of the University of Turin, emphasized how "Destinazione Public Engagement represents a path where universities and research institutions are increasingly committed to the sustainable and inclusive development of the country through listening, valuing knowledge, and collaborating with communities."

Caterina Falbo, Delegate for the Third Mission of the University of Trieste, highlighted the example of the University of Trieste, which has long been involved in promoting Public Engagement activities that strengthen dialogue with the local community and promote community well-being. “In the San Giovanni Park, which was the site of the Basaglian revolution – explains Falbo – we promote collaborations with some social cooperatives to support the work inclusion of people in vulnerable areas and carry out initiatives for scientific and cultural dissemination. UniTS also works in synergy with other institutions and organizations to strengthen research on energy transition and green hydrogen production.”

During the two-day event, the guests outlined proposals, highlighted opportunities, and suggested possible pathways for the growth and recognition of Public Engagement, balancing public and social commitment with the enhancement of knowledge.

The recognition of Public Engagement activities in academic careers emerged as one of the key tools to value the commitment of professors, researchers, technical-administrative staff, and students in projects with high social impact. The goal is also strategic in the discussions with the Ministry and the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System (ANVUR).

The Director of ANVUR, Daniele Livon, who spoke at the event, defined the relationship between the Agency and APEnet as one of fruitful collaboration and dialogue, especially during the evaluation of knowledge valorization, in which Public Engagement has proven to play a fundamental role.

With speeches by Laura Nota, President of the Italian Society of Orientation and professor at the University of Padua, and Lelio Iapadre, Partner of the Forum for Inequalities and Diversity, who presented the OCSE ITA.CON project, the focus was placed on the urgency of returning to universities their role as promoters of collaborations to achieve social and environmental justice objectives.

Reflections on the importance of the Faro Convention as a tool for cultural democracy were also present, thanks to the participation of Francesc Pla Castelltort (Culture and Cultural Heritage Unit of the Council of Europe), and on the role of Museums, which, in the speeches by Irene Baldriga (Sapienza University of Rome) and Paola Rodari (SISSA MediaLab), were described as mediators and places for shared cultural narratives, spaces for authentic dialogue between society and science, and safe spaces to address complex issues.

In conclusion, Pier Andrea Serra, Vice President of the Association and Pro-Rector of the University of Sassari, presented the APEnet Barometer data, which monitors the state of Public Engagement in Italian universities and research institutions.

The University of Trieste and Giacomo Gobbato's classmates, who tragically passed away in a courageous attempt to thwart an attack, wish to remember him with esteem and affection.

The young man had attended the degree course in Political Science and Public Administration, leaving a fond memory in everyone who knew him.

The UniTS community joins in mourning with Giacomo’s family and friends.

A total of 4,025 high-school students registered to attend the presentations of bachelor’s and integrated master’s degrees during the Spring Open Day held on 21st March.

Following the welcome address by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and the Deputy Rector for Educational Counselling, Lucio Torelli, the presentations of the course catalogue were delivered by the University’s Unit for Prospective Student Support.

The Open Day is a key event for students who wish to become part of the University community and plays a fundamental role in the strong appeal of UniTS, along with the significant expansion of its academic offer in recent years.

Thanks to the introduction of more than 20 new degree courses, including six taught in English, the University of Trieste is now one of the fastest-growing universities in Italy in terms of enrolments, including those from international students.

The number of newly enrolled students has increased by more than 30% compared to the 2019-2020 academic year – a figure six times higher than the average growth rate of Italian public universities.

In the current academic year, the number of new enrolments is close to 6,000. In just a few years, UniTS has risen from sixth to third place among universities in the Triveneto area. Over 17,500 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while almost 2,000 are attending postgraduate courses, including 560 PhD students – an all-time record for the University. The percentage of students from outside the region and from abroad stands at 40% for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and 60% for postgraduate courses, confirming the University’s strong appeal and bringing the goal of reaching 20,000 students ever closer.

An international study, co-ordinated by the University of Trieste, in collaboration with the local health services (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina – ASUGI), and the National Amyloidosis Centre in London, may revolutionise the prospects for early treatment of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), a rare and progressive heart disease caused by the abnormal accumulation of a protein – transthyretin – that is deposited in cardiac tissue, compromising its structure and function.

The study, published in the prestigious journal JAMA Cardiology and presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Congress, analysed for the first time patients with transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloid infiltration who had not yet developed signs or symptoms of heart failure. Using an advanced imaging technique, the researchers demonstrated that patients with moderate to severe cardiac infiltration (scintigraphic grades 2 and 3) already exhibited typical features of amyloid cardiomyopathy, with abnormalities visible on both echocardiogram and serum biomarkers. In these patients, the disease progressed more rapidly, with over 50% developing signs and symptoms of heart failure requiring diuretic therapy within three years of diagnosis.

Aldostefano Porcari, research assistant at the University of Trieste and first author of the publication, explains: ‘Current European and American guidelines recommend treatment with the drug tafamidis only for patients who have already developed overt heart failure. However, our study suggests that even asymptomatic patients with advanced cardiac infiltration could benefit from early treatment, potentially slowing or even halting disease progression. These findings pave the way for a possible revision of therapeutic recommendations, with the aim of intervening before the onset of symptoms.’

This study represents a key starting point for future research into cardiac amyloidosis. The findings suggest that, in the early stages of the disease, amyloid deposits may bind less tightly to the heart’s extracellular matrix — the network of proteins that provides structural support to cardiac tissue. This phenomenon could make amyloid deposits more susceptible to potential treatments. As new therapies are developed to target amyloid removal, these insights will be crucial for improving treatment effectiveness, enabling more targeted intervention in the early phases of the disease.

THE DISEASE

The term amyloidosis refers to a group of disorders characterised by the abnormal and harmful accumulation of amyloid protein in the extracellular space. Amyloidoses are multisystem diseases, and one of the organs most commonly affected is the heart. The term ‘cardiac amyloidosis’ refers specifically to heart conditions associated with amyloidosis. These diseases primarily affect men over the age of 60. Risk factors include plasma cell disorders, chronic illnesses, and genetic mutations. Currently, treatment involves specific medications depending on the type of amyloidosis diagnosed, with the aim of eliminating or stabilising the source of the amyloid-forming protein.

Until a few years ago, this condition was typically diagnosed only at an advanced stage, when the heart was already severely compromised. Today, thanks to advances in non-invasive diagnostics, it is possible to detect the disease at an earlier stage, opening up new possibilities for intervention. Although overall mortality rates were similar across patient groups, the risk of death from cardiovascular causes in patients with grade 2 and 3 cardiac infiltration was found to be approximately five times higher than in those with grade 1, where deaths were more often attributed to non-cardiac causes.

A key role was played by the use of an advanced imaging technique – bone tracer scintigraphy combined with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) – to identify ATTR cardiac amyloidosis in asymptomatic patients and to study disease progression in this population.

THE TEAM

The study was led by a team from the University of Trieste and ASUGI, including Aldostefano Porcari, research assistant and first author of the publication; Gianfranco Sinagra, professor in the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at the University of Trieste and Head of the Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department at Cattinara Hospital; and Valentina Allegro, a medical resident at the University of Trieste.

The research project involved a total of twelve leading international cardiology centres.

Dr. Porcari was invited to present the study’s findings in the prestigious ‘Samuel A. Levine Early Career Clinical Investigator Award’ session, an honour reserved for young researchers who have made significant contributions to clinical cardiology.

Research in this field will continue at the University of Trieste with the involvement of Rossana Bussani, Professor of Pathological Anatomy and expert in the histological assessment of cardiac and extracardiac amyloid deposits, and Gabriele Stocco, Associate Professor of Pharmacology. Together with Gianfranco Sinagra, Professor Stocco promoted the acquisition of a mass spectrometer in Trieste for the advanced characterisation of amyloid deposits. Through these initiatives, the University of Trieste aims to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, with the goal of enabling earlier and more targeted interventions in the management of cardiac amyloidosis.

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Full study published in Jama Cardiology

Clinical Phenotype and Prognosis of Asymptomatic Patients With Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloid Infiltration

Aldostefano Porcari, MD1,2,3; Yousuf Razvi, MBChB, BSc1; Francesco Cappelli, MD, PhD4,5; et al

1. National Amyloidosis Centre, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
2. Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano-Isontina, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
3. European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart, ERN GUARD-Heart, Trieste, Italy
4. Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
5. Tuscan Regional Amyloidosis Centre, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy