Inflamatory Bowel Disease research at the Clínic

This is done at the IDIBAPS Inflammatory Bowel Disease group, within the Liver, Digestive system and Metabolism Area. The main lines of research are:  

• Imaging techniques (Magnetic Resonance). A magnetic resonance activity index (MaRIA) has been developed for objective quantification of the inflammation severity and to evaluate the degree of response to medical treatments. This is used in specialised international centres and applied in research studies. A simplified index (MaRIAs) is also used in clinical practice which maintains high diagnostic accuracy  and facilitates clinical use. Also magnetic resonance (MR) is used to establish intestinal damage in Crohn's disease to provide a long-term forecast for the disease. Meanwhile, the Hospital Clínic IBD unit leads an international multicentre study in ulcerative colitis to assess chronic damage in the colon for its impact on the quality of life of patients and disease progression.  
• Therapeutic objectives and biomarkers. IBD appears as a result of a pathological immune response to the components of the intestinal cavity in genetically predisposed people. The components of these aberrant interactions are analysed to assess the heterogeneity of immune disturbances that lead to different therapeutic responses in certain patient subpopulations. Leading laboratory techniques, such as gene expression analysis at the cellular level, are used in these studies.    
• Cell therapy in refractory Crohn’s disease. The Clínic has extensive experience in autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of severe refractory Crohn’s disease. Because of this, the hospital is currently an international reference centre with the largest series of transplant patients in the world (more than 40 patients). Several investigation lines are currently being worked on to increase both the safety profile and efficacy of this treatment. After mesenchymal stem cell injection was found to be effective in the treatment of Perianal Fistulising Crohn’s disease, collaborative studies are now being done to improve its efficacy in general (via successive injections and co-treatment) and for more complex injuries, such as rectovaginal fistulas, which cause considerable disability.  

Ongoing research and projects:  

• Research projects financed by official agencies (8): Ministeri d'Economia i Competitivitat SAF2012-33560; 2014-2019; SAF2015-66379-R, 2016-2019. Lleona and Harry Helmsley Trust, 2015PG-IBD005 2016-2018. Fons de Recerques Sanitàries: FIS-PI17/00513, TRA-097, FIS PI10/01170, FIS-PI13/01585, FIS PI16 / 00721.
• Translational Research Projects in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry: Laboratories Genentech, Roche, Abbvie, Boehringer-Ingelheim and MSD.  
• Numerous clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.   

Participation in working groups and scientific associations:  

In addition to conducting research in IDIBAPS, the IBD Unit participates in the following networks and working groups:  

• AQU consolidated research group.  
• Research Group of the CIBEREHD (CIBER thematic area of Liver and Digestive Diseases).  
• Leadership and participation in the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) clinical guidelines.  
• Various IBD associations, both national (GETECCU, SCD, AEG) and International (ECCO, U EG).  

Participation in Health Department committees:  

• IBD Strategic and territorial plan in the Catalan Society of Digestology.  
• Optimisation of biological therapies.