Our sister projects

Rheumatic diseases (RDs) affect over 40% of Europe’s population, leading to significant disability, pain, reduced lifespan, and an enormous economic burden of around €240 billion annually. Dysbiosis, or harmful changes in gut microbiota, has been linked to the development of various diseases, including RDs, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

The ENDOTARGET project seeks to investigate how gut microbiota dysbiosis and increased gut permeability contribute to systemic inflammation, known as systemic endotoxemia (SE). SE occurs when harmful compounds from intestinal bacteria, particularly lipopolysaccharides (LPS), leak into the bloodstream, triggering widespread inflammation. ENDOTARGET will focus on understanding these processes in three specific rheumatic diseases: osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and spondylarthritis (SpA). By exploring these connections, the project aims to identify new preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the root causes of these conditions.

Musculoskeletal disorders are a leading cause of pain and disability, affecting nearly half of the adult population, with 40% experiencing chronic problems. These conditions account for 17% of all years lived with disability globally, highlighting the urgent need for better management. Despite being common in primary care, musculoskeletal symptoms often lead to a frustrating and lengthy journey from symptom to diagnosis and treatment. Misdiagnosis is frequent, with up to 30% of patients being misclassified during their first visit, and delays in attending the correct clinic can extend up to 8.5 years for certain conditions.

The SPIDeRR project aims to tackle these challenges by improving early identification and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Early detection is crucial, as timely intervention can prevent chronic pain in conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, and immune-mediated diseases respond better when treated early. Notably, a recent breakthrough suggests that early treatment with abatacept can prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, but current healthcare systems struggle to implement this due to late diagnoses. SPIDeRR seeks to address these gaps by enhancing the precision and timeliness of diagnoses, ensuring patients receive the appropriate care as early as possible.

The 3TR (Taxonomy, Treatment, Targets, and Remission) project aims to revolutionize the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases by developing a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind them. These diseases, which include conditions like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, share common pathways that drive their progression. However, current treatments are often ineffective, as they don’t target the underlying causes. 3TR seeks to change this by creating a comprehensive approach to identify and classify these diseases based on their molecular and cellular mechanisms, allowing for more personalized and effective therapies.

By analyzing large-scale data from diverse patient populations, 3TR will develop predictive models to determine which patients will respond to specific treatments and identify new therapeutic targets. This approach not only aims to improve patient outcomes but also to reduce healthcare costs by avoiding ineffective treatments. Ultimately, 3TR strives to enable better disease management, leading to higher remission rates and an improved quality of life for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.