Since 1975 he has contributed to research in neuroendocrinology and thyroid physiopathology. Additionally, he has worked on a study aimed at distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid tumors by fine needle aspiration and biopsy (FNA, FNB). Later, this research has had further developments with studies on galectin. The achieved results have permitted to better select patients with malignant thyroid nodules who need surgery, hence reducing the number of undetected malignant cases. From 1978 to nowadays, Dr. Nicolini is the principal investigator of a clinical research aimed at defining the usefulness of serum tumor markers for early detection and treatment of distant metastases from breast and colorectal cancer. Methods and diagnostic accuracy of different serum tumor markers have been examined. The accuracy of instrumental examinations has been evaluated too. The scope of this research is to offer to patients a post-operative follow-up with high effectiveness/cost ratio. During last decade, his research has been mainly devoted to immunology: specifically, the evaluation of immunogical parameters (total lymphocytes and subsets, cytokines and growth factors) both in healthy subjects, and in breast cancer and in endocrine dependent metastatic breast cancer patients treated with hormone-immunotherapy. Based upon the results of this research, an interpretative model of the relationships between immune system and tumor cell biology has been proposed. The same model has also been applied to better comprehend the improved clinical outcome obtained in gastrointestinal cancer patients at high risk of relapse.

Since 1975 he has contributed to research in neuroendocrinology and thyroid physiopathology. Additionally, he has worked on a study aimed at distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid tumors by fine needle aspiration and biopsy (FNA, FNB). Later, this research has had further developments with studies on galectin. The achieved results have permitted to better select patients with malignant thyroid nodules who need surgery, hence reducing the number of undetected malignant cases. From 1978 to nowadays, Dr. Nicolini is the principal investigator of a clinical research aimed at defining the usefulness of serum tumor markers for early detection and treatment of distant metastases from breast and colorectal cancer. Methods and diagnostic accuracy of different serum tumor markers have been examined. The accuracy of instrumental examinations has been evaluated too. The scope of this research is to offer to patients a post-operative follow-up with high effectiveness/cost ratio. During last decade, his research has been mainly devoted to immunology: specifically, the evaluation of immunogical parameters (total lymphocytes and subsets, cytokines and growth factors) both in healthy subjects, and in breast cancer and in endocrine dependent metastatic breast cancer patients treated with hormone-immunotherapy. Based upon the results of this research, an interpretative model of the relationships between immune system and tumor cell biology has been proposed. The same model has also been applied to better comprehend the improved clinical outcome obtained in gastrointestinal cancer patients at high risk of relapse.