University of Ioannina

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite maximal treatment tumor relapse occurs regularly accompanied by unfavourable prognosis. Among other reasons, it is believed that this could be in part due to the existence of the so-called tumor stem cells (TSCs), a cellular subfraction within GBM which escape therapy by being highly resistant to irradiation and chemotherapy and thus constituting the source of tumor recurrence.
GBM, like many other cancers, show a sub-population of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) overexpressing TSCs. More specifically, ALDH1A1, a cytoplasmatic isoform of ALDH, proved to be a novel stem cell marker in human GBM. In addition, ALDH1A1 has been shown to be a mediator for resistance of GBM to temozolomide (TMZ) and a reliable predictor of clinical outcome; prognosis of patients with a high level of ALDH1A1 expression was poor compared with that of patients with low levels. Consequently, ALDH1A1 may serve as a potential target to improve treatment of human GBM through inhibition of the enzyme.
Disulfiram (DSF) has been used for more than sixty years in the treatment of chronic alcoholism because of the unpleasant symptoms it provokes after ethanol intake. The underlying mechanism is believed to be the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood, due to inhibition of the liver ALDHs. Actually, DSF is a strong inhibitor of ALDH1A1 and relatively non-toxic at therapeutic (for chronic alcoholism) doses that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. In addition, DSF has been shown to be cytotoxic on GBM stem-like cells, inhibiting the growth of TMZ resistant GBM cells and blocking self-renewal by
100% , while it has been identified as an inhibitor of human GBM stem cells in high-throughput chemical screens. Interestingly, a number of these actions were copper-dependent.
In the current Phase II clinical trial, DSF/copper combination will be tested as an adjunctive and concurrent chemotherapy in the treatment of newly diagnosed GBM. According to our hypothesis, initiation of DSF chemotherapy after the resection of the tumor and before the introduction of the standard radio-chemotherapy will inhibit ALDH1A1 of GBM TSCs making them more susceptible to radio-chemotherapy and possibly reducing the recurrence rate of GBM. On the other hand, the addition of copper will probably enhance the cytotoxic effects of DSF possibly through augmentation of its pro-apoptotic and proteasomal inhibitory actions.

This study follows the successfully completed HOLOBalance project which was funded by the EU Horizon 2020 scheme. TheHOLOBalance platform delivers exercises demonstrated via a hologram of the physiotherapist and corrected in real time by the hologram prompts based on performance monitoring via sensors. Further information is available at: https://holobalance.eu/. HOLOBalance was developed as a comprehensive rehabilitation protocol for individualised remote (tele)rehabilitation balance physiotherapy programme. It includes different multisensory balance and gait exercises, physical activity and memory training and exergames (video games which are also exercises) to improve balance function in older adults. The system can thus assess and remotely monitor how users are performing the exercises.
This multisite randomised control trial (TeleRehab DSS, short for TeleRehabilitation Decision Support System) aims to (i) determine the system's safety, acceptability, and feasibility explore effectiveness of running such programme in comparison with the current standard care for middle-age/older adults with balance disorders/falls due to MCI, vestibular disorders, stroke or long Covid. This study also aims to (ii) assess if balance function, gait, cognitive function, balance confidence, and wellbeing can improve more compared to standard intervention and (iii) provide preliminary data for a definitive randomised controlled trial.
This study involves human participants, and each clinical site has applied for appropriate ethical approval.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 10% of the global population, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Early detection is crucial for preventing disease progression and complications; however, awareness and diagnosis of CKD remain alarmingly low. Current methods rely on blood or urine analysis, which are invasive and require specialized facilities. The KERMIT patch aims to address this gap by providing a wearable lab-on-a-chip device capable of measuring key biomarkers from sweat non-invasively. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize CKD diagnosis, particularly in remote or underserved areas.
The KERMIT patch integrates functional printed biosensors, a high-frequency electrochemical microchip, and a sustainable microfluidic system. Sensors are fabricated using carbon inks and 2D materials, enabling immunodetection and non-enzymatic sensing of creatinine, urea, and cystatin C. Preliminary tests evaluated detection limits, skin compatibility, and carbon footprint.