Gianni Sava

Gianni Sava was born at Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy, on September 9th, 1952. He received the Diploma of Scientific Liceum, in 1971, Udine, Italy; and the degree in biological sciences, in 1975, University of Trieste, Italy. He is a Full Professor of pharmacology in the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Trieste, since 2002. Since 1992, he is a Scientific Director of Callerio Foundation Onlus, since 2003, he is Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and since 2006, he is the President of the Council of the Scientific Structures, University of Trieste. His scientific expertises are in the in vivo and in vitro pharmacology of compounds active on metastases of solid tumours, metal-based drugs for cancer chemotherapy. He is a Coordinator of the Working Group on “Intracellular and Extracellular Targets for Antitumour and Toxicicity of Ruthenium Complexes”, COST D20, 2001–2006; and a Coordinator of the Working Group on “New Targets for Metal-based Drugs: Behyond DNA”, COST D39, since 2007. He has 230 full-lenght papers (95%) in international peer-reviewed journals; over 300 presentations (posters and oral) at conferences, and a member in the Editorial Board of In Vivo, Pathology and Oncology Research, and Editor-in-chief of Metal-Based Drugs.

Biography Updated on 1 November 2007

Articles in Scholarly Journals [Incomplete List]

  1. Development of Ruthenium Antitumor Drugs that Overcome Multidrug Resistance Mechanisms
    Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 50, no. 9, pp. 2166–2175, 2007
  2. Ruthenium complexes can target determinants of tumour malignancy
    Dalton Transactions, no. 13, p. 1267, 2007
  3. Metal-based antitumour drugs in the post genomic era
    Dalton Transactions, no. 16, p. 1929, 2006
  4. Organometallics, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 756–765, 2006
  5. A novel retinoic/butyric hyaluronan ester for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: preliminary preclinical results
    Leukemia, vol. 20, no. 5, Article ID 2404179, 7 pages, 2006
  6. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 49, no. 18, pp. 5552–5561, 2006
  7. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 48, no. 12, pp. 4161–4171, 2005
  8. Inhibition of B16 Melanoma Metastases with the Ruthenium Complex Imidazolium trans-Imidazoledimethylsulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate and Down-Regulation of Tumor Cell Invasion
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 317, no. 1, pp. 284–291, 2005
  9. Intratumoral NAMI-A Treatment Triggers Metastasis Reduction, Which Correlates to CD44 Regulation and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte Recruitment
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 310, no. 2, pp. 737–744, 2004
  10. Free Exchange across Cells, and Echistatin-Sensitive Membrane Target for the Metastasis Inhibitor NAMI-A (Imidazolium trans-Imidazole Dimethyl Sulfoxide Tetrachlororuthenate) on KB Tumor Cells
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 313, no. 1, pp. 227–233, 2004
  11. Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinomas in vitro and Hepatic Metastases in vivo in Mice by the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor HA-But
    Clinical Cancer Research, vol. 10, no. 14, pp. 4822–4830, 2004
  12. Stability and compatibility of the investigational antimetastatic ruthenium complex NAMI-A in infusion systems and its hemolytic potential
    Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 7–15, 2004
  13. Ruthenium Antimetastatic Agents
    Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 4, no. 15, pp. 1525–1535, 2004
  14. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 1110–1121, 2004
  15. Hyaluronic-acid butyric esters as promising antineoplastic agents in human lung carcinoma: A preclinical study
    Investigational New Drugs, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 207–217, 2004
  16. Actin-dependent tumour cell adhesion after short-term exposure to the antimetastasis ruthenium complex NAMI-A
    European Journal of Cancer, vol. 40, no. 9, pp. 1383–1396, 2004
  17. Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of copper complexes with pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone derivatives. X-ray crystal structure of three dimeric complexes
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 2, pp. 301–312, 2004
  18. Solution, solid state and biological characterization of ruthenium(III)-DMSO complexes with purine base derivatives
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 2, pp. 393–401, 2004
  19. The hydrolysis of the anti-cancer ruthenium complex NAMI-A affects its DNA binding and antimetastatic activity: an NMR evaluation
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 2, pp. 402–412, 2004
  20. Electrochemical measurements confirm the preferential bonding of the antimetastatic complex 6ImH96RuCl4(DMSO)(Im)9 (NAMI-A) with proteins and the weak interaction with nucleobases*1
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 6, pp. 984–990, 2004
  21. TGF?1 regulation and collagen-release-independent connective tissue re-modelling by the ruthenium complex NAMI-A in solid tumours
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 10, pp. 1648–1654, 2004
  22. Antiviral properties and cytotoxic activity of platinum(II) complexes with 1,10-phenanthrolines and acyclovir or penciclovir
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 98, no. 8, pp. 1385–1390, 2004
  23. Cocultures of metastatic and host immune cells: selective effects of NAMI-A for tumor cells
    Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, vol. 53, no. 12, pp. 1101–1110, 2004
  24. Structure-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity of the isomeric complexes [Ru(L) 2 Cl 2 ] (L= o- tolylazopyridine and 4-methyl-2-phenylazopyridine) in comparison to [Ru(azpy) 2 Cl 2 ]
    Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 354–364, 2004
  25. Investigational New Drugs, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 55–62, 2003
  26. Investigational New Drugs, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 401–411, 2003
  27. Molecular structure, solution chemistry and biological properties of the novel [ImH][trans-IrCl4(Im)(DMSO)], (I) and of the orange form of [(DMSO)2H][trans-IrCl4(DMSO)2], (II), complexes
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 95, no. 1, pp. 37–46, 2003
  28. Development of a LC method for pharmaceutical quality control of the antimetastatic ruthenium complex NAMI-A
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 215–228, 2003
  29. Antiangiogenic properties of selected ruthenium(III) complexes that are nitric oxide scavengers
    British Journal of Cancer, vol. 88, no. 9, Article ID 6600906, 7 pages, 2003
  30. Distinct Effects of Dinuclear Ruthenium(III) Complexes on Cell Proliferation and on Cell Cycle Regulation in Human and Murine Tumor Cell Lines
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, vol. 305, no. 2, pp. 725–732, 2003
  31. Analysis of the cytotoxicity of synthetic antimicrobial peptides on mouse leucocytes: implications for systemic use
    Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 339–348, 2002
  32. Inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway by the novel antimetastatic agent NAMI-A down regulates c-myc gene expression and endothelial cell proliferation
    European Journal of Biochemistry, vol. 269, no. 23, pp. 5861–5870, 2002
  33. Inhibition of endothelial cell functions and of angiogenesis by the metastasis inhibitor NAMI-A
    British Journal of Cancer, vol. 86, no. 6, Article ID 6600176, 5 pages, 2002
  34. Synthesis, catalytic properties and biological activity of new water soluble ruthenium cyclopentadienyl PTA complexes [(C5R5)RuCl(PTA)2] (R = H, Me; PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: synthesis, 31P{1H}, 1H, 13C NMR characterisation and elemental analysis of 1 and 2. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b210102e/
    Chemical Communications, no. 2, pp. 264–265, 2002
  35. The anti-metastatic agent imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethylsulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate induces endothelial cell apoptosis by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway
    Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol. 403, no. 2, pp. 209–218, 2002
  36. Tumour cell uptake of the metastasis inhibitor ruthenium complex NAMI-A and its in vitro effects on KB cells
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 405–411, 2002
  37. Validated method for the determination of the novel organo-ruthenium anticancer drug NAMI-A in human biological fluids by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry
    Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry, vol. 369, no. 5, pp. 442–445, 2001
  38. Pharmacological Effects of the Ruthenium Complex NAMI-A Given Orally to CBA Mice With MCa Mammary Carcinoma
    Metal-Based Drugs, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–7, 2001
  39. Anti-Cancer Drugs, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 665–672, 2000
  40. Antimetastatic properties and DNA interactions of the novel class of dimeric Ru(III) compounds Na2[?trans-RuCl4(Me2SO)?2(µ-L)] (L=ditopic, non-chelating aromatic N-ligand). A preliminary investigation
    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 79, no. 1-4, pp. 173–177, 2000
  41. Paracrine Effects of IL-4 Transfection on TS/A Adenocarcinoma Cells Mediate Reduced In Vivo Growth
    Pathology and Oncology Research, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 110–116, 1999
  42. Modification of cell cycle and viability of TLX5 lymphoma in vitro by sulfoxide-ruthenium compounds and cisplatin detected by flow cytometry
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 113, no. 1, pp. 51–64, 1998
  43. Rhodium(III) analogues of antitumour-active ruthenium(III) compounds: The crystal structure of [ImH][-RhCl(Im)] (Im=imidazole)
    Inorganica Chimica Acta, vol. 273, no. 1-2, pp. 62–71, 1998
  44. Clinical and Experimental Metastasis, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 371–379, 1997
  45. Down-regulation of tumour gelatinase/inhibitor balance and preservation of tumour endothelium by an anti-metastatic ruthenium complex
    International Journal of Cancer, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 60–66, 1996
  46. Treatment of residual metastases with Na[trans-RuCl4(DMSO)lm] and ruthenium uptake by tumor cells
    Anti-Cancer Drugs, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 697–702, 1996
  47. Reduction of Lung Metastases by Na[trans-RuCl4(DMSO)Im] is not Coupled With the Induction of Chemical Xenogenization
    Metal-Based Drugs, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 67–73, 1996
  48. Effects of ruthenium complexes on experimental tumors: irrelevance of cytotoxicity for metastasis inhibition
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 95, no. 1-2, pp. 109–126, 1995
  49. Antimetastatic action and toxicity on healthy tissues of Na[trans-RuCl4(DMSO)Im] in the mouse
    Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 93–100, 1994
  50. Anti-leukaemic action of RuCl2(DMSO)4 isomers and prevention of brain involvement on P388 leukaemia and on P388/DDP subline
    European Journal of Cancer, vol. 29, no. 13, pp. 1873–1879, 1993
  51. Antineoplastic action ofp-(3-methyl-1-triazeno)benzoic acid potassium salt, a monomethyl derivative of the antimetastatic compound DM-COOK
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 423–428, 1991
  52. Antineoplastic effects of mer-trichlorobisdimethylsulphoxideaminorutheniumIII against murine tumors: Comparison with cisplatin and with ImH[RuIm2Cl4]
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 78, no. 2, pp. 223–234, 1991
  53. Effects of gamma interferon on mice bearing P388 or friend leukemias as sensitive or doxorubicin-resistant variants
    European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 183, no. 2, pp. 195–196, 1990
  54. The effects of tocainide and its chiral analogs on sodium channels of human muscle
    Pharmacological Research, vol. 22, pp. 95–96, 1990
  55. trans-Ru(II)dimethylsulphoxides: antineoplastic action on mouse tumours
    Pharmacological Research, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 453–454, 1989
  56. Tumour metastatic potential after treatment with selective antimetastatic drugs
    Pharmacological Research, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 457–459, 1989
  57. Antitumour properties of dimethylsulphoxide ruthenium(II) complexes in the Lewis lung carcinoma system
    Pharmacological Research, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 617–628, 1989
  58. Reduction of B16 melanoma metastases by oral administration of egg-white lysozyme
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 221–222, 1989
  59. Antimetastatic action of the prostacyclin analog Iloprost in the mouse
    Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 671–678, 1989
  60. Effects of two pyridinalalkyliminerhodium(I) complexes in mice bearing MCa mammary carcinoma
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 302–306, 1989
  61. Antimetastatic action of orally administered lysozyme in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma
    Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 245–253, 1988
  62. Evidence for host-mediated antitumor effects of lysozyme in mice bearing the MCa mammary carcinoma
    European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 1737–1743, 1988
  63. Inorganic Chemistry, vol. 27, no. 23, pp. 4099–4106, 1988
  64. Effects of lysozyme on spleen and lungs in mice with lewis lung carcinoma
    Pharmacological Research Communications, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 615–616, 1988
  65. Effects of antimetastatic, antiinvasive and cytotoxic agents on the growth and spread of transplantable leukemias in mice
    Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 27–34, 1987
  66. Mutagenic activity of the dacarbazine analog p-(3,3-dimethyl-l-triazeno)benzoic acid potassium salt in bacterial cells
    Pharmacological Research Communications, vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 491–501, 1986
  67. Antiinflammatory action of hydrosoluble dimethyl-triazenes on the carrageenin-induced edema in guinea pigs
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 53, pp. 37–43, 1985
  68. Hemostasis and mechanism of action of selective antimetastatic drugs in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma
    European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 961–966, 1984
  69. Effects of p-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)benzoic acid potassium salt on leukemic infiltration of brain and liver in mice bearing P388 leukemia*1
    European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 287–289, 1984
  70. Antineoplastic activity and toxicity of an organometallic complex of ruthenium(II) in comparison with cis-PDD in mice bearing solid malignant neoplasms
    European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 841–847, 1984
  71. Effects of DTIC, DM-COOK and ICRF-159 on the number of circulating Lewis lung carcinoma cells detected by flow cytometry
    Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 151–159, 1984
  72. Antitumor and antimetastatic activity of the immunoadjuvant peptidoglycan monomer PGM in mice bearing MCa mammary carcinoma
    Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 49–53, 1984
  73. Immunotherapy of lewis lung carcinoma with hydrosoluble peptidoglycan monomer (PGM)
    Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 84–86, 1983
  74. Effects of isomeric aryldimethyltriazenes on lewis lung carcinoma growth and metastases in mice
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 131–136, 1983
  75. Antitumor effects of rhodium(I), iridium(I) and ruthenium(II) complexes in comparison with cis-dichlorodiammino platinum(II) in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 1–6, 1983
  76. Mechanism of the antileukemic effects of 1-p-carboxamidophenyl3,3-dimethyltriazene and its in vitro metabolites
    Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 31, no. 22, pp. 3629–3634, 1982
  77. Antimetastatic effects and tumor proteinase inhibition by spleen intracellular inhibitors of neutral proteinases
    European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, vol. 17, no. 12, pp. 1301–1306, 1981
  78. Mechanism of the antimetastatic action of N-diazoacetylglycinamide in mice bearing lewis lung carcinoma
    European Journal of Cancer (1965), vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 87–92, 1980
  79. Neutral proteinase inhibitors and antimetastatic effects in mice
    European Journal of Cancer (1965), vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 449–454, 1980
  80. Antitumor and antimetastatic effects of benzenoid triazenes in mice bearing lewis lung carcinoma1
    Pharmacological Research Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–11, 1980
  81. Antitumour action of rhodium (I) and iridium (I) complexes
    Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 22, no. 2-3, pp. 231–238, 1978
  82. Lysosomal enzyme inhibitors and antimetastatic activity in the mouse
    European Journal of Cancer (1965), vol. 13, no. 11, pp. 1321–1323, 1977
  83. Observations on the ?in vitro? oxidative N-demethylation of 4-(3,3-dimetryl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-5-carboxamide (DIC, NSC 45388)
    Pharmacological Research Communications, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 25–29, 1976
  84. Effects of N-diazoacetyl-glycine amide on the pool of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells
    Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 25, no. 6, p. 725, 1976
  85. Investigation on the oxidative N-demethylation of aryl triazenes In vitro
    Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 24, no. 19, pp. 1793–1797, 1975