Neurosciences
Clinical Neuroimmunology
Xavier Montalban Gairín
Investigatores principales Comabella López Manuel, Espejo Ruiz Carmen, Fissolo Nicolás, Río Izquierdo Jordi, Sastre Garriga Jaume, Tintoré Subirana Mar | Researchers Arévalo Navinés M Jesús, Costa Riu Carme, Eixarch Ahufiger Herena, Galán Cartaña Ingrid, Malhotra Sunny, Nos Llopis Carlos | Researchers in training Anglada Clofent Elisenda, Arrambide García Georgina, Calvo Barreiro Laura, Castilló Justribó Joaquín, Fàbregas Xaudaro Dolores, Filló Papiol Núria, Gil Varea Elia, Hussein Allyafeai Rumaiza, Janer Cabo Montserrat, Loyola Sanmillán Gaizka, Maute Blanch Clara, Midaglía Fernández Luciana, Mulero Carrillo Patricia, Otero Romero Susana, Renom Guiteras Marta, Rodríguez Acededo Breogán, Sánchez Pous Samuel, Santoyo Medina Mª Carmen, Vetoret Vázquez Cristina, Vidal Jordana Ángela, Zuluaga M Isabel | Nursing, Technical and Administrative Staff Bathilde Pla Mª Nieves, Baztan Gallues Rosario, Capell Maymo Margarida, Castillo Juárez Mireia, Castro Ruiz Zoraida, Domeño Baztan Javier, Ferrer López Silvia, Fitó Guillamon Juana, Fraga Pereira Milagros, García Sertqueda Montserrat, Graells Salvador José Antonio, Horno Ocaña Rosalía, Laganà Ilaria, López Martos Francisca, Martínez Royuela Nuria, Martínez Sabaté Nuria, Morilla Castillo Elisabeth, Muñoz Valdivielso Dúnia, Navarro Pérez Laura, Navarro Pérez Margarita, Nualart Mundo Oriol, Oriol Pujol Clara María, Pereira Ibáñez Jordi, Pujol Bravo Berta, Resina Salles Mireia, Robles Sánchez Miguel Ángel, Romero Reinaldos Montserrat, Roura Broto Leire, Sallent Borsot Marta, Seoane Proupín Tania, Serrano Mascaros Andrea, Soler García Silvia, Urdampilleta Rebled Vanessa, Vergara Ruiz Sergio
Summary
The Clinical Neuroimmunology Grup aims to improve the quality of life of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and attain a greater understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, aiming to develop new and more effective therapeutic means.
During 2015, we have worked in identifying and stratifying baseline demographic, clinical, radiological and biological characteristics that might predict MS development and disability using a prospective cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS). In addition, we have confirmed the prognostic role of chitinase 3-like 1 in the largest validation study of a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker conducted in patients with CIS. In relation to MS treatment, we have demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β mRNA levels were significantly increased in MS patients who showed a lack of response to interferon-beta compared to patients with good response to this treatment. We have also focused on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), namely on brain volumetry and the implications of pathological brain volume loss in patients with MS with regards to prognosis and evolution under treatment. We also have described that semaphorin (sema)3A and sema7A expression correlated with the inflammatory activity of the MS lesions. Furthermore, our results in the experimental model of MS have pointed out that sema3A and sema7A may represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of MS.
We have initiated five clinical trials, including a phase I/IIa study on autologous mesenchymal stem cells and a single-centre phase I trial in patients with progressive MS.
The Clinical Neuroimmunology Grup–Cemcat won a competitive bid to organize the 31st Annual Conference of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). The Barcelona meeting reached a record-breaking 9,000+ registered participants.