BrainMap

Mr. Constantin Caruntu

Professor

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Other affiliations

Dermatologist - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (Romania)

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | PhD supervisor

Constantin Caruntu (MD, PhD) is professor of Physiology at “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy and senior dermatologist at "Prof. N.C. Paulescu" National Institute of Diabetes in Bucharest. He is trained in in vivo confocal microscopy, cellular and molecular biology techniques, and molecular imaging techniques. He is member of International Dermoscopy Society, International League of Dermatological Societies, International Union of Physiological Sciences and many other national or international scientific societies. Furthermore, he is academic editor, guest editor and reviewer for various prestigious scientific journals. His research interests are in vivo confocal microscopy, dermato-oncology, inflammatory skin diseases, neurogenic inflammation and neuroendocrinology of the skin.

Web of Science ResearcherID: 3539727/constantin-caruntu/

Curriculum Vitae (14/05/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Polifactorial protocol of diagnosis in diabetic neuropathy Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2243 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Project website: https://umfcd.ro/cercetare-si-dezvoltare/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-iii-p2-2-1-ped-2021-2243-remind-protocol-polifactorial-de-diagnostic-in-neuropatia-diabetica/

Abstract:

Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes, being a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is a challenge, despite the complexity of the existing methods. Our preliminary results revealed the possibility of using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy for evaluation of skin small diameter sensory fibers, thick myelinated fibers and autonomic nerve fibers.

Given our experience, our complex investigation capacity and our preliminary data we aim to develop a 24 month duration research project, with the objectives of: development of a new imaging diagnostic tool for in vivo evaluation of cutaneous nerve fibers injury using reflectance confocal microscopy and optimization of an integrated protocol for diagnosis, staging and monitoring of peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Implementation of our new imaging diagnostic technique and protocol in clinic will enable the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, in a stage with maximum therapeutic efficiency, will facilitate therapeutic monitoring of patients and will reduce the risk of comorbidities. This project may increase the capacity of our health system to provide modern medical services and may lead to an increase in the quality of life and to reduced costs associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Multi-disciplinary platform for regional institutional capacity enhancing in dermatooncology and dermato-pathology domains Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0341 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI

Project partners: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOCHIMIE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO)

Project website: http://cdpcolentina.ro/buton11pathderm.html

Abstract:

Dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology address the most frequent pathology, but the medical training is scarce, hence the new diagnosis and treatment approaches in skin cancers are frugaly tought in residency and in post-universitary training. Thus, the medical act is hindered by the “in-house” training of the clinicians that can lead to low quality medical serivces for the patient. The project re-unites 6 prestigious institutes that have prior collaborated (Bucharest, Cluj): an university hospital, a national institute, a Romanian Academy national institute and 3 universities (two medical ones) that propose for the first time on national level a research and training platform for dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology developing 4 multi-disciplinary projects. Project 1 developps an improved diagnostic and prognostic markers for the most frequent skin cancers- squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. Project 2 identify the markers for improved prognosis and therapy monitoring in cutaneous melanoma. Project 3 develops new methologies for therapy testing in dermato-oncology and dermato-pathology. Project 4 completes the training slope of young researchers and medical doctors to increase the medical services quality (decrease social costs of the dermato-oncology pathology) and to increase the research results in the biomedical domain. We estimate a significant impact of the results on the institutional capacity consolidation regarding human resources (13 new research positions, several training stages, several work visits) and infrastructure (upgrading of the existent infrastructure); 3 patents, 3 new sets of biomarkers for diagnostic/prognostic/monitoring for the increase of the health care system, RD services, and international visibility improvement.

Applied interdisciplinary implementation and toxicological evaluation of new pharmaceutical formulations of capsaicin. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Transfer de cunoaștere la agentul economic „Bridge Grant”
PN-III-P2-2.1-BG-2016-0443 2016 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA

Project partners: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); TIS FARMACEUTIC S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Project website: http://carolinanegrei.wixsite.com/nanocaptox

Abstract:

The proposed project aims to develop a new technology and new products for the TIS FARMACEUTIC given the need to develop this technology in society and expand the range of products that use capsaicină.Vor be involved in the project team 12 high qualified persons UMF Carol Davila from 5 persons from ICECHIM. The project will involve young doctoral result of their participation will be materialized in the development of doctoral dissertations and theses postdoctoral research of high scientific level and experience gained through participation in competitive research at national and possibly in-ternational will lead their managerial skills development. Scheme embodiment comprises: 1.Sintezis, the characteristics, formulation of micro-size and nano-materials on the basis of capsaicin, 2.Obtaining a new pharmaceutical formulations which contain capsaicin new transportation system, and the active substance as such, 3. Testingboth in vitro capsaicin new transport system and the new pharmaceutical formulations with in vivo confocal microscopy 4.Studies of the vasodilatory capacity of the new formulation of capsaicin; studies on sensory nerve endings and Merkel cell concentration in patients with neuropathic diabet 5.Project Management 6.Scientific diseminatin and exploitation of results

Innovative architectures of controlled drug released systems based on Hesperidin and Related Flavonoids for chronic leg ulcers wounds treatment Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1386 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN DOMENIUL PATOLOGIEI SI STIINTELOR BIOMEDICALE "VICTOR BABES" RA (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO); CENTRUL MEDICAL CAROL SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.ivb.ro/cercetare/PCCA%20ctr%20185_web%20data%202014.pdf

Abstract:

Chronic leg ulcers can have an arterial, venous, mixt or diabetes etiology. Is an invalidating disease that affects annually in SUA up to 2 million individuals and in Europe 1% form the population. Its incidence is rising with age, and over 2/3 from the patients have a history of ulcers more than 5 years. The co-morbidities are multiple, amputation and even death being frequent. The cost of the therapy can be in the developed countries up to 1-3% out of the total health care budget. The incidence of chronic leg ulcers is rising in Romania influenced by the arterial, venous or diabetes dysfunctions as well as by alcoholism, smoking and obesity.

The proposed project aims to obtain an innovative medical product as a dressing-patch embedding vasoactive and anti-oxidants compounds, (nano)hesperidin/flavonoids that have a controlled release. The innovative dressing is designed for topical application of chronic skin lesions developed in patients with leg ulcers. The final product formulated in this project matches the Priority Domain 6 Biotechnology (subdomain 6.1.1), thus improvement of healing process in post-surgery treatment chronic leg ulcer

The project is proposed by a consortium of 3 partners, “Victor Babeş” National Institute of Pathology, National Institute for Research in Chemistry - ICECHIM, „N. Paulescu” National Institute for Diabetes and Nutrition and a medical SME Medical Center Carol.

Among the flavonoids used in oral administration in chronic leg ulcer, hesperidin is a glucozid that is abundant in citrus fruits. Recently, formulating hesperidin in nanocristals, has provided its dermatological application, assessing its antioxidant effect. In vitro studies have shown its clear antioxidant properties, and using them as nutrients has shown its vaso-protective action.

The project proposes the following specific objectives:

• Obtaining and complex physical-chemical characterization of hesperidin/flavonoids compounds.

• In vitro testing of the obtained compounds in cellular systems for toxicological profile and regenerative capacity evaluation.

• In vivo testing of the formulated compounds in murine model for testing the efficacy of nanostructured hesperidin/flavonoids dressing-patches.

• Evaluation of the selected nanostructured hesperidin/flavonoids dressing-patches on adult human subjects diagnosed with chronic leg ulcers according to the national laws.

The project also intends to disseminate results in form of publications and scientific communications.

Development of an Eheath platform for individualized treatment for improvement of quality of life in diabetic persons Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-2231 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: ASOCIATIA "CENTRUL ROMAN DE MODELARE ECONOMICA - CERME"

Project partners: ASOCIATIA "CENTRUL ROMAN DE MODELARE ECONOMICA - CERME" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE DIABET, NUTRITIE SI BOLI METABOLICE''PROF.DR.N.PAULESCU''BUCURESTI (RO); CENTRUL MEDICAL CAROL SRL (RO); STIMA SOFT SRL (RO)

Affiliation: CENTRUL MEDICAL CAROL SRL (RO)

Project website: http://cerme.ro/proiect-diabet/

Abstract:

The present financing request has in view the elaboration of a complex eHealth platform in the field of diabetes melitus and the evaluation of its impact upon pacients and is situated within the frame area 9.7.3 social impact of new technological configurations. The evolution of nowadays society underlines the importance of information and communication technologies (ITC), not as a result per se, but as means of improvement of the living conditions which depend on both socio-economic aspects and the life style the man adopts. The main objective in the development and implementation of the ITC products is to provide an improvement of the life quality and social development. More than 6% of the population of the EU member states aged between 20 and 79, an average of 30 million people, had diabetes in 2011, 42% of them working adults under 60 years old. The incidence of diabetes melitus has an increased growth rate everywhere in the world, and the estimates are that the number of pacients with diabetes from the EU member states will exceed 35 million people in less than 20 years. Most of them have the tendency to feel isolated, dependent to a certain degree, they live loss experiences, of overuse of defence mechanisms and of loss of freedom. This is the reason why health related quality of life (HRQL) is an indicator taken into consideration more and more within the set of measures regarding the efficiency in health care. In this project, we aim to develop and implement a software that works both as information aggregator as well as a "personal assistant" for patients with diabetes in order to reduce complications associated with their health status, to correct their lifestyle and to improve their quality of life. On the basis of an inovative methodology developed within the project, we shall asses the social impact of the new configuration technologies. The platform built in the project will be tested on the target group, and then will be adjusted and refined in order to obtain a work solution. The eHealth solution addresses to the pacients with diabetes, to their families, to doctors, general practitioners, private and public health networks, social services, business environment and public health directorates. The system allows diabet specialists to draw a priority list according to the complexity of the cases and to make schedules according to data provided by the pacients and by their general practitioners, in view of an optimal management. The system will also have an important educational part, contributing to the education of pacients with diabetes regarding a healthy lifestyle, the importance of regular physical effort in improving pacients’ with diabetes condition and reducing the complications, the importance of monitoring biochemical constants specific to diabetes and also the therapeutical doses. Equally the submitted eHealth platform will allow the elaboration of informative materials (flyers) to periodically inform and educate the target group. The completion and implementation of an eHealth platform for pacients with diabetes and its social impact on the improvement of the quality of life represents an innovation both in clinical practice and in specialised literature. The theme the project approaches is a multidisciplinary one, at the borderline between diabetes, nutrition and methabolic diseases, diabethology and also having multiple effects on the quality of life and ITC methods. This way, in order to achieve the main objectives of this project and its specific targets, we developed a balanced relationship of collaboration between a clinical research institute, an organisation of socio-economic research, a medical profile entreprise and an ITC entreprise. This type of collaboration is characterised mainly by flexibility and efficiency, allowing the assesement of the impact of the new technologies on the quality of life.

Regression-based theranostic polyfactorial classifier for melanoma patients stratification Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1407 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI

Affiliation: SPITALUL CLINIC "COLENTINA" BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.cdpcolentina.ro/01%20meltag.html

Abstract:

Cutaneous melanoma is a disease with increasing incidence worldwide; it is a malignancy with unfavorable prognosis, causing important human and economic losses; the current staging of patients with melanoma (AJCC 2009) has poor predictive value, identifying new biomarkers being mandatory.

Regression in melanoma is a morphological parameter credited by various authors with favorable or unfavorable prognostic significance. Our previous studies have shown that there are different processes of regression in melanoma (both morphologically and as type of inflammatory infiltrate) and regression in melanoma is expression of intratumor heterogeneity, areas with regression presenting, in some tumor subcategories, variations in expression of some biomolecules associated with favorable prognostic significance.

We propose a detailed genomic and proteomic study of melanomas with regression that has as main objective establishing of polyfactorial classifier for diagnosis/ prognosis/ therapeutic approaches in melanoma. As secondary objectives are the establishing and validation of serum and tissue biomarkers in melanoma and the identification of mechanisms involved in melanomagenesis and tumor progression.

To reach these objectives, we will select cases well documented for clinic data and follow-up. We will analyze minimum 45 melanomas with regression (areas with and without regression), minimum 45 melanomas without regression and, as control, benign melanocytic lesions with regression (minimum 28 nevi with halo) / no regression (minimum 28 common nevi). These cases will be selected from the archives of CO, a university hospital with solid reputation in dermatology and dermatopathology, and, when possible, from those of P2.

We will identify areas of interest on paraffin embedded fragments and we will dissect them under microscopic control; the obtained material will be analyzed by arrayCGH (P1). We analyze the products of mutant gene both in tissue (CO) and serum (P1) by immunohistochemical techniques, proteomics technologies and protein microarray. We will perform an extensive statistical analysis of genomic and proteomic data for selecting biochemical, immunohistochemical and genetic parameters significantly associated with prognosis. It will therefore establish the theranostic polyfactorial classifier. The new classifier will be further validated on a separate group of patients using serum, frozen tissue and paraffin blocks from CO and P2, kept in P1 tissue bank. For validation, we will use biochemical and IHC tests (proteomic biomarkers) and more accessible molecular methods (qPCR/FISH) (genomic biomarkers).

Our results will be disseminated widely through presentations (poster/oral presentations) in national/international congresses/symposia, scientific articles (indexed journals) and a workshop. We will apply for a national patent for the classifier.

The consortium includes a university hospital - CO with wide addressability and modern equipment for histopathology, a research institute - P1 with solid reputation in circulating biomarkers identification and genetic analysis and a SME - P2 with dermatooncologic medical profile. The teams are multidisciplinary (dermatologists, pathologists, biochemists, biologists, geneticists, laboratory medicine physicians, statisticians) including senior and junior researchers. We will create new positions (PhD / postdocs). Consortium selection was based on complementarities between institutional partners and synergies between them and SME to achieve both SME involvement in research and technology transfer between academia, public health sector and SME medical private practice.

Our study will lead to valuable results for both health system (early diagnosis) and individual patients (personalized therapy). The polyfactorial classifier for melanoma diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring will generate other national patents for biomarkers in melanoma.

Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate in premaligne lessions and non- melanoma skin cancer Call name:
PN-II-62-074-2008 2008 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The study of novel therapies for infantile hemangiomas selectively applied according to disease form and evolutive stage Call name:
PN-II-42-142-2008 2009 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Molecular, cellular and integrative mechanisms of pain - clinical implications Call name:
CEEX nr. 31/2005 2005 - 2008

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI

Project partners: SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects