Stefania Bellone, PhD
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Contact Info
About
Titles
Associate Research Scientist in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Appointments
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of Brescia (2003)
- MS
- University of Genova (1999)
Research
Overview
Dr. Stefania Bellone's research has been published in high-impact journals in the cancer research field, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, and the Journal of Virology, while numerous additional publications have been reported in subspecialty journals. Dr. Bellone’s translational research program in ovarian cancer has been funded multiple times by federal agencies including the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Institute of Health (NIH) as well as private National and International Foundations. She is currently funded by NIH to evaluate the potential use of Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin (CPE) as a novel therapy against chemotherapy resistant ovarian carcinoma. Her research program spans a range from basic studies in molecular cancer genetics and tumor immunology to translational clinical cancer research testing novel immunotherapeutic strategies and targeted compounds in vivo for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. Dr. Bellone has initiated and completed multiple investigator’s initiated FDA approved clinical trials in gynecologic patients using novel immunotherapeutic strategies developed and characterized in Dr. Alessandro Santin's laboratory.
ORCID
0000-0001-5909-5292
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Alessandro Santin, MD
Natalia Buza, MD
Vaagn Andikyan, MD
Yang Yang, PhD
Mitchell Clark, MD, MPH
Gloria Huang, MD, FACOG
Publications
2024
Preclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel TROP2 directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) in ovarian carcinoma
McNamara B, Greenman M, Bellone S, Santin L, Demirkiran C, Mutlu L, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Santin A. Preclinical activity of datopotamab deruxtecan, a novel TROP2 directed antibody-drug conjugate targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) in ovarian carcinoma. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 189: 16-23. PMID: 38981151, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsTargets trophoblast cell-surface antigen-2Epithelial ovarian cancerAntibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicityPreclinical activityAntibody drug conjugatesOvarian cancerCell linesTumor cellsTrophoblast cell surface antigen 2Cell line-derived xenograft modelFlow cytometryCompared to tumor cellsEpithelial ovarian cancer cell linesOvarian cancer cell linesTumor cells in vitroOvarian cancer patientsPeripheral-blood lymphocytesEOC cell linesTumor growth suppressionAnnexin V-positiveGynecologic cancer mortalityIn vivo antitumor activityCells in vitroPrimary cell linesUnmet medical needTrastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2
Mutlu L, McNamara B, Bellone S, Manavella D, Demirkiran C, Greenman M, Verzosa M, Buza N, Hui P, Hartwich T, Harold J, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Huang G, Clark M, Andikyan V, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Santin A. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate, demonstrates in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against primary and metastatic ovarian tumors overexpressing HER2. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 2024, 1-11. PMID: 38909139, DOI: 10.1007/s10585-024-10297-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-grade serous ovarian cancerClear cell carcinomaHER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugateAntibody-drug conjugatesT-DXdReceptor over-expressionTrastuzumab deruxtecanXenograft modelCell linesOvarian clear cell carcinomaOvarian cancer cell linesTumors overexpressing HER2Biologically aggressive tumorsFluorescence in situ hybridization assaySerous ovarian cancerEffective antibody-drug conjugatesIn vivo antitumor activityMouse xenograft modelMetastatic cell linesDS-8201aCancer cell linesAggressive tumorsHER2 expressionCell carcinomaOvarian cancerRandomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Huang G, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Ratner E, Santin A. Randomized phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer (NCT03093155): Updated survival and subgroup analyses. BJC Reports 2024, 2: 43. DOI: 10.1038/s44276-024-00067-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-treated ovarian cancerOverall survivalBev armsDose reductionOvarian cancerTaxane responseRandomized phase 2 trialRandomized phase II trialPaclitaxel-resistant diseaseResultsThirty-seven patientsTreated with paclitaxelPhase 2 trialBiweekly bevacizumabDays 1,8,15Taxane-sensitiveUpdate survivalProgression-freePeritoneal cancerDose modificationTaxane sensitivityPlatinum resistanceSubset analysisSubgroup analysisResponse ratePatientsPreclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in uterine carcinosarcomas
Demirkiran C, Greenman M, Bellone S, McNamara B, Hartwich T, Manavella D, Mutlu L, Zipponi M, Yang-Hartwich Y, Yang K, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Coma S, Pachter J, Santin A. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in uterine carcinosarcomas. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 187: 12-20. PMID: 38703673, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.04.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsFocal adhesion kinaseUC cell linesWhole-exome-sequencingFAK inhibitorCell linesFocal adhesion kinase inhibitionPhosphorylated (p)‑FAKWestern blot assayRAF/MEK inhibitionUterine carcinosarcomaRAS/MAPK pathway genesPreclinical in vitroBlot assayVS-4718Cell cycle assayGenetic landscapePathway genesMAP2KGenetic alterationsDecreased p-ERKCycle assaySuperior tumor growth inhibitionBiologically aggressive tumorsGrowth inhibitionIn vitro activityIntegrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Bellone S, Jeong K, Halle M, Krakstad C, McNamara B, Greenman M, Mutlu L, Demirkiran C, Hartwich T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Zipponi M, Buza N, Hui P, Raspagliesi F, Lopez S, Paolini B, Milione M, Perrone E, Scambia G, Altwerger G, Ravaggi A, Bignotti E, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Ratner E, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Quick C, Angioli R, Terranova C, Zaidi S, Nandi S, Alexandrov L, Siegel E, Choi J, Schlessinger J, Santin A. Integrated mutational landscape analysis of poorly differentiated high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2321898121. PMID: 38625939, PMCID: PMC11046577, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321898121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsWhole-exome sequencingPatient-derived-xenograftsBase excision repairCopy number lossMultiregion whole-exome sequencingCopy number gainHigh-grade neuroendocrine carcinomaCNV analysisPhylogenetic analysisEvolutionary historyNeuroendocrine cervical cancerHuman papillomavirus DNAMutator phenotypeSensitivity to afatinibGenetic landscapeRecurrent mutationsRNA sequencingGene fusionsMutational landscape analysisExcision repairGenesMutationsPan-HERConsistent with deficiencyNeuroendocrine carcinomaRandomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147)
Sheth S, Oh J, Bellone S, Siegel E, Greenman M, Mutlu L, McNamara B, Pathy S, Clark M, Azodi M, Altwerger G, Andikyan V, Huang G, Ratner E, Kim D, Iwasaki A, Levi A, Buza N, Hui P, Flaherty S, Schwartz P, Santin A. Randomized Phase II Trial of Imiquimod with or without 9-Valent HPV Vaccine versus Observation in Patients with High-grade Pre-neoplastic Cervical Lesions (NCT02864147). Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 30: of1-of10. PMID: 38592381, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRandomized phase II trialCD4/CD8 T cellsT cellsHPV clearanceArm BNo significant differenceClinical surveillanceRate of HPV clearanceSecondary outcomesPre-neoplastic cervical lesionsCervical intraepithelial neoplasiaT cell infiltrationT cell responsesSignificant differenceCIN3 patientsIntraepithelial neoplasiaArm ACervical lesionsImiquimod groupSurveillance armVaginal suppositoriesProspective trialsArm CHPV vaccinationImiquimodPreclinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in low grade serous ovarian cancer
McNamara B, Demirkiran C, Hartwich T, Bellone S, Manavella D, Mutlu L, Greenman M, Zipponi M, Yang-Hartwich Y, Yang K, Ratner E, Schwartz P, Coma S, Pachter J, Santin A. Preclinical efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in low grade serous ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology 2024, 183: 133-140. PMID: 38493021, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.01.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsLow grade serous ovarian carcinomaWhole-exome-sequencingGain-of-function mutationsVS-4718Preclinical efficacyLow grade serous ovarian cancerSerous ovarian cancerControl-treated miceTumor growth inhibitionWild-type KRASLoss of heterozygosityDecreased p-ERKRAF/MEK inhibitionMedian survivalOvarian cancerRecurrence rateTherapeutic optionsOral gavageTumor growthTumor samplesIn vivo activityMAPK pathway genesRAF/MEK inhibitorsP-ERKEx vivoCorrection: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer
Roque D, Siegel E, Buza N, Bellone S, Silasi D, Huang G, Andikyan V, Clark M, Azodi M, Schwartz P, Rao G, Reader J, Hui P, Tymon-Rosario J, Harold J, Mauricio D, Zeybek B, Menderes G, Altwerger G, Ratner E, Santin A. Correction: Randomised phase II trial of weekly ixabepilone ± biweekly bevacizumab for platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer. British Journal Of Cancer 2024, 130: 1073-1073. PMID: 38438590, PMCID: PMC10951353, DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02628-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricIncreased von Willebrand and Factor VIII plasma levels in gynecologic patients with Post-Acute-COVID-Sequela (PASC)/Long COVID
Bellone S, Siegel E, Scheim D, Santin A. Increased von Willebrand and Factor VIII plasma levels in gynecologic patients with Post-Acute-COVID-Sequela (PASC)/Long COVID. Gynecologic Oncology Reports 2024, 51: 101324. PMID: 38273933, PMCID: PMC10809113, DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2024.101324.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsElevated von Willebrand factorFactor VIII levelsVon Willebrand factorLong COVIDGynecologic patientsVIII levelsControl patientsD-dimerPlasma levelsFactor VIIID-dimer levelsPost-acute sequelaeLong COVID symptomsFactor VIII plasma levelsMicrovascular damageMicrovascular inflammationRed blood cellsThrombotic complicationsAcute infectionLC patientsPersistent inflammationPathophysiological mechanismsCancer patientsCOVID symptomsPatients
2023
Increased serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in gynecologic cancer patients with Post-Acute-Covid-Sequela (PASC)/Long COVID
Bellone S, Siegel E, Santin A. Increased serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in gynecologic cancer patients with Post-Acute-Covid-Sequela (PASC)/Long COVID. Gynecologic Oncology Reports 2023, 50: 101301. PMID: 38029227, PMCID: PMC10654147, DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2023.101301.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsGynecologic cancer patientsLong COVIDCancer patientsVitamin DPotent anti-inflammatory activityDihydroxyvitamin D levelsPost-acute sequelaeLong COVID symptomsAnti-inflammatory activityMental health impairmentControl cancer patientsExtrarenal conversionPost-AcuteControl patientsAcute infectionBone healthLC patientsPersistent inflammationD levelsCOVID symptomsImmune cellsPlasmatic levelsNovel biomarkersPatientsAbnormal levels
Links & Media
News
- April 15, 2024
Genetic Analysis of Rare, Often Deadly Cervical Cancer Uncovers Potential Treatments
- April 09, 2024
Topical Shows Promise in Treating Precancerous Cervical Condition
- July 07, 2023Source: Medicine
Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Highly Cited Articles on Immunotherapy for Endometrial Cancer
- October 27, 2022
New Findings on Endometrial Cancer Treated With Pembrolizumab
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