Laura Agate was born in Palermo on 22 January 1969.
Her clinical and research work is in thyroid oncology, in particular: the effect of radiation in causing thyroid cancer; thyroid cancer in areas contaminated after nuclear accidents; the relationship between thyroid cancer and thyroid autoimmunity; the relationship between ionising radiation and thyroid autoimmunity; oncogene mutations involved in thyroid tumours; treatment of advanced thyroid cancer; pathogenesis and treatment of multiple endocrine neoplasias.
Current position
Since May 2019 she has been a Consultant Physician at the Endocrinology 2 Unit of Pisa University Hospital.
Education
- 1987
- Classical high school diploma, Liceo «G.G. Adria», Mazara del Vallo (TP)
- 1994
- Degree in Medicine and Surgery, 110/110 cum laude, University of Palermo, with the thesis «Influence of pregnancy on the onset and course of diabetic retinopathy»; licence to practise medicine (April 1994)
- 1998
- Advanced course in «Ultrasound diagnostics in surgery», University of Pisa
- 1999
- Specialisation in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Endocrinology track), 50/50 cum laude, University of Pisa, with the thesis «High thyroglobulin and negative 131I whole-body scan in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: comparison between patients treated and not treated with high doses of 131I»
- 2006
- PhD in Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, University of Pisa, with the thesis «Differentiated thyroid tumours: new therapeutic strategies»
Professional experience
- Since 2019
- Consultant Physician, Endocrinology 2 Unit, Pisa University Hospital
- 2017–2019
- Freelance contract at the Endocrinology 1 Unit, Pisa University Hospital
- 2011–2016
- Research grant in Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Orthopaedics and Traumatology and Occupational Medicine, University of Pisa
- 2006–2009
- Freelance appointment as a specialist in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology Unit
Clinical trials with experimental drugs
Sub-investigator in 4 clinical trials with experimental drugs for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory and/or poorly differentiated progressive thyroid cancer:
- Pfizer A4061027, phase II study (2007–2012)
- BAY 43-9006/14295, phase III study (2010–2017)
- Vandetanib D4203C00011, phase III study (2013–2018)
- Bayer STEP 12311, phase III study (2017–2021)
Scientific societies
- Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE)
- Association of Pupils of Pisa Endocrinology (AAEP)
- Italian Thyroid Association (AIT)
- European Thyroid Association (ETA)
Awards and grants
- Three-year FIRC grant 2000–2002 for the project «Detection of thyroglobulin gene mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer as a tumour marker»
- Grant for the «Study of TSH, LH and FSH receptor mutations», Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pisa (March 2006)
Publications
Author of about 100 articles in international journals and about 300 abstracts presented at national and international congresses.