I am a physician scientist and a 20-year experienced clinical neuroradiologist with a strong interest in neuroimaging research. My research is mainly focused on advanced magnetic resonance (MR) neuroimaging, and in particular on non-invasive quantification of disease burden through MR, with the aim of definition of disease natural history and outcome measures in translational and clinical neuroimaging.
I have long-standing experience in quantitative MR imaging of brain and spinal cord, with specific expertise in lesion load quantification, volumetric analyses and microstructural damage quantification through diffusion tensor imaging analyses, in the setting of several neurological diseases. As Director of Neuroimaging Research at Boston Children’s Hospital and as Director of Clinical Affairs of the Advanced MR Imaging Center (AMRIC), UMASS core imaging facility, I am fostering clinical MR imaging (MRI) research, by providing my experience in advanced MRI techniques, and in validating MR-based outcome measures in clinical trials.
I have authored 67 scientific papers (total impact factor: 458.282; h index: 26; total citations: over 3.300 – Scopus) in the field of neuroimaging with a particular focus on advanced MRI techniques, stem cell imaging, brain tumors, vascular diseases, neuromuscular disorders and inherited neurodegenerative disorders.
I have collaborated to the validation of new PET radiotracers and to the development of an integrated SPECT/MRI multimodal imaging apparatus. I have performed the central radiology review for several international multi-centric studies on brain, orbit and neuromuscular disorders.
a. AIRC 2014 03/01/2015 – 03/31/2019
Prognostic value of 18F-FAZA PET/CT in high grade glioma: comparison with MRI and correlation with hypoxia biomarkers
Main Goals: assessment of accuracy of PET and perfusion/permeability MRI in detecting hypoxia within high grade brain tumors.
Role: Co-Investigator
b. US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity 03/01/2017 – 02/28/2019
Microglia-Targeted MRI/PET Traceable Nanovectors: Theranostic Platform for Tracking and Shaping Microglia Reactivity to Improve ALS Therapy.
Main goals: To validate the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles targeted to activated microglia and optimized for controlled release of small molecules or oligonucleotydes in rodent models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Role: Co-investigator
Completed support:
European Union FP7 03/01/2013 – 03/31/2017
INSERT (INtegrated SPECT-MRI for Enhanced stratification of Radio-chemio Therapy)
Main Goals: development and preclinical and clinical validation of an integrated SPECT-MRI system
Role: P.I. of Unit
- Politi LS, Bacigaluppi M, Brambilla E, Cadioli M, Falini A, Comi G, Scotti G, Martino G, Pluchino S. Magnetic-resonance-based tracking and quantification of intravenously injected neural stem cell accumulation in the brains of mice with experimental multiple sclerosis. Stem Cells. 2007; 25(10):2583-92.
- Luchetti A, Milani D, Ruffini F, Galli R, Falini A, Quattrini A, Scotti G, Comi G, Martino G, Furlan R, Politi LS. Monoclonal antibodies conjugated with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles allow magnetic resonance imaging detection of lymphocytes in the mouse brain. Mol Imaging. 2012; 11(2):114-25.
- Cianciaruso C, Pagani A, Martelli C, Bacigaluppi M, Squadrito ML, Lo Dico A, De Palma M, Furlan R, Lucignani G, Falini A, Biffi A, Ottobrini L, Politi LS. Cellular magnetic resonance with iron oxide nanoparticles: long-term persistence of SPIO signal in the CNS after transplanted cell death. Nanomedicine. 2014; 9(10):1457-74.
- Mazzoleni S, Politi LS, Pala M, Cominelli M, Franzin A, Sergi Sergi L, Falini A, De Palma M, Bulfone A, Poliani PL, Galli R. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression identifies functionally and molecularly distinct tumor-initiating cells in human glioblastoma multiforme and is required for gliomagenesis. Cancer Res. 2010; 70(19):7500-13.
- Visigalli I, Delai S, Politi LS, Di Domenico C, Cerri F, Mrak E, D’Isa R, Ungaro D, Stok M, Sanvito F, Mariani E, Staszewsky L, Godi C, Russo I, Cecere F, Del Carro U, Rubinacci A, Brambilla R, Quattrini A, Di Natale P, Ponder K, Naldini L, Biffi A. Gene therapy augments the efficacy of hematopoietic cell transplantation and fully corrects mucopolysaccharidosis type I phenotype in the mouse model. Blood. 2010; 116(24):5130-9. PMCID: PMC3709639.
- Politi LS, Forghani R, Godi C, Resti AG, Ponzoni M, Bianchi S, Iadanza A, Ambrosi A, Falini A, Ferreri AJ, Curtin HD, Scotti G. Ocular adnexal lymphoma: diffusion-weighted MR imaging for differential diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Radiology. 2010; 256(2):565-74.
- Politi LS, Godi C, Cammarata G, Ambrosi A, Iadanza A, Lanzi R, Falini A, Bianchi Marzoli S. Magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging in the evaluation of thyroid-associated orbitopathy: getting below the tip of the iceberg. Eur Radiol. 2014; 24(5):1118-26.
- Politi LS, Bianchi Marzoli S, Godi C, Panzeri M, Ciasca P, Brugnara G, Castaldo A, Di Bella D, Taroni F, Nanetti L, Mariotti C. “MRI evidence of cerebellar and extraocular muscle atrophy differently contributing to eye movement abnormalities in SCA2 and SCA28 diseases” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2016; 57:2714-20.
- Ferreri AJ, Verona C, Politi LS, Chiara A, Perna L, Villa E, Reni M. Consolidation radiotherapy in primary central nervous system lymphomas: impact on outcome of different fields and doses in patients in complete remission after upfront chemotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011; 80(1):169-75.
- Ponzoni M, Govi S, Licata G, Mappa S, Giordano Resti A, Politi LS, Spagnuolo L, Di Cairano E, Doglioni C, Ferreri AJ. A reappraisal of the diagnostic and therapeutic management of uncommon histologies of primary ocular adnexal lymphoma. Oncologist. 2013; 18(7):876-84.
- Ferreri AJ, Cwynarski K, Pulczynski E, Ponzoni M, Deckert M, Politi LS, Torri V, Fox CP, La Rosée P, Schorb E, Ambrosetti A, Roth A, Hemmaway C, Ferrari A, Linton KM, Rudà R, Binder M, Pukrop T, Balzarotti M, Fabbri A, Johnson P, Sonderskov Gorlov J, Hess G, Panse J, Pisani FD, Tucci A, Stilgenbauer A, Hertenstein B, Keller U, Krause S, Levis A, Schmoll HJ, Cavalli F, Finke J, Reni M, Zucca E, Illerhaus G for the International Extranodal Study Group (IELSG). “Chemoimmunotherapy with Methotrexate, Cytarabine, Thiotepa, and Rituximab (MATRIx regimen) in Patients with Primary CNS Lymphoma: Results of the First Randomization of the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group-32 (IESLG32) Phase 2 Trial”. The Lancet Haematology, 2016; 3:217-27.
- Politi LS, Brugnara G, Castellano A, Cadioli M, Altabella L, Peviani M, Mazzoleni S, Falini A, Galli R. “T1-Weighted Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI is a Non-Invasive Marker of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor vIII Status in Cancer Stem Cell-derived Experimental Glioblastomas”. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2016; 37:49-51.
- Castellano A, Papinutto N, Cadioli M, Brugnara G, Iadanza A, Scigliuolo G, Pareyson D, Uziel G, Köhler W, Aubourg P, Falini A, Henry RG, Politi LS§*, Salsano E*. “Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Spinal Cord and Brain in Adrenomyeloneuropathy: In Vivo Assessment of Structural Changes” (§: corresponding author; *: these authors equally contributed to the work and share senior authorship). Brain, 2016; 139:1735-46.
