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Scientific Programmes
Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Motility
COORDINATOR: DR. JULIÀ PANÉS
In the sphere of understanding the mechanisms of inflammatory bowel diseases, molecular bases of cortical refractoriness in ulcerative colitis have been established, as well as post-surgical recur- rence in Crohn’s disease, leading to therapeutic targets based on modulating the activity of the ex- tracellular matrix. In a basic project, the presence
In cooperation with the digestive oncology pro- gramme studies have been carried out on the role of acetylsalicylic acid and platelets in colon cancer, and the value of inhibiting the transport of protons in chemoprevention and treatment of adenocarcino- ma of the oesophagus. In the diagnostic field a new fast and non-invasive method for early detection of
of macrophages expressing surface receptors of phenotype M2 and their accumulation with chronic- ity has been observed in the mucus of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. These macrophages persistently express Wnt ligands and activate Wnt signalling in the epithelial cells, which is associated with defects in autophagy, in enterocyte differentia- tion and in the process of mucus regeneration.
As regards aspects of the clinical management of patients with inflamed bowel disease, we have pro- vided evidence showing that the valuation of activity and complications of Crohn’s disease by magnetic resonance is of greater value than endoscopy in identifying patients with a bad prognosis. The fol- lowing two projects were completed this year: “Eval- uation of the effectiveness of two vaccines against the hepatitis b virus in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their impact on the immune system”, and “Prediction of short and long-term response to treatment with anti-TNFα drugs in pa- tients with Crohn’s disease”.
In the area of therapeutic progress, new studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of natural products including prebiotics and probiotics, natural extracts and flavonoids have been completed and published. In the clinical field it should be stressed that a study in phase I has been completed evaluating the safety and effectiveness of treatment with tolerogenic den- dritic cells in patients with active refractory Crohn’s disease.
pancreatic cancer has been validated.
In the neurogastroenterology area, studies have been performed on mechanisms for control of the swallowing motor response with potential therapeu- tic application in clinical practice on patients with post-ictus oropharyngeal dysphagia. The relation- ship between the digestive motor function and the nutritional condition of fragile elderly people and the morbidly obese has also been characterised, as well as the effect of diverse gastrointestinal peptides on the mechanisms for control of the appetite and sa- tiety.
As regards organisational aspects we should stress the large number of cooperative projects among the groups in programme 6 and the cooperation with nationwide research networks. The financing of research work stems from both official national projects and from the European H2020 programme, the Marie Curie programme and from cooperation schemes with industry. Members of several re- search groups have taken part in drawing up clinical guides on a nationwide and international scale.
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