IGEA (Azione 1.1.2.)

Within the project “Innovative Gender Medicine Approaches (IGEA)”, Work Package 2 “Metabolism, Dysmetabolism and Oncological Risk: Gender Differences”, the activities carried out at the Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia” of the University of Catania (Principal Investigator: Prof. Antonella Agodi) aim to develop an innovative precision medicine model for the prevention of hereditary cancers in women of reproductive age, taking into account exposome complexity, genetic susceptibility, and gender differences.

The project is based on the integration of clinical, genomic, and epidemiological data collected from a representative cohort of pregnant women, considered a critical biological window for understanding the mechanisms associated with oncological risk. The activities will focus on the study of the female exposome during pregnancy and on the identification of early biomarkers associated with cancer risk. First, the project will enable the construction of a comprehensive, population-specific map of genomic variants associated with oncological risk in women of reproductive age, derived from real-world data obtained from a representative cohort of healthy and pre-symptomatic women.

Furthermore, through the integration of multi-omics analyses and advanced computational and artificial intelligence tools, the project aims to identify molecular signatures and develop gender-specific predictive models for personalized oncological risk stratification and the definition of tailored prevention strategies.

An additional objective concerns the simulation and design of an innovative structure for Diagnostic-Therapeutic Care Pathways (PDTA) for the management of hereditary oncological risk in women of reproductive age, integrating genomic risk stratification, genetic and reproductive counseling, and clinical decision-making approaches.

The project also envisages the development of an interoperable digital platform for epidemiological decision support, based on the integration of polygenic risk scores, clinical data, and epidemiological information,

aimed at implementing personalized surveillance, prevention, and genetic counseling pathways.

Overall, the project seeks to contribute to the transformation of healthcare models and prevention strategies within an inclusive precision medicine framework, promoting equitable access to genomic prevention, reducing gender-related health inequalities, and improving health outcomes.