Vall d'Hebron COVID-19 research

Open

• Multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in cytokine-release syndrome in patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia (CAN-COVID).
• AA prospective, double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of two doses of MSC,WJ in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 infection.
• An open-label, randomized, controlled phase III study to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous ravulizumab compared to best symptomatic treatment in patients with severe pneumonia, acute lung injury, or acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19.
• A multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel-group pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of alfa1-proteinase (Prolastina®) alongside Standard of Care (SoC) compared to SoC-only in hospitalized subjects with COVID-19.
• Clinical trial of anakinra use (anti il-1) in cytokine storm syndrome (css) secondary to COVID-19.
• An open-label phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of treatment with vafidemstat in combination with standard treatment to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe adult patients with COVID-19.
• Control of inflammatory parameters with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in adult patients with parenteral nutrition and respiratory infection by SARS-CoV-2 : randomized clinical trial COVID-19.
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of isosapentaenoic acid in gastro-resistant capsules (EPA-FFA) to treat hospitalized subjects with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 lung disease (COVID-19).
• TRISTARDS – ThRombolysIS Therapy for ARDS – Trial: Phase IIb/III trial, operationally optimal, open, randomized, sequential, in parallel groups, adaptive to assess the efficacy and safety of daily intravenous alteplase therapy administered up to 5 days in addition to Standard of Care (SoC) treatment compared to monotherapy in patients with COVID-19 triggered acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• A randomized, open-label, controlled phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab and pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in patients with pneumonia caused by coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19.
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II/III clinical study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of MK-4482 in hospitalized adults with COVID-19.
• Inhaled corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia.

Closed

• Randomized Phase III Study to Evaluate Safety and The Antiviral activity of Remdesivir (GS-5734) in Participants with Moderate COVID-19 Infection Compared to Standard of Care Treatment.
• Randomized Phase III Study to Evaluate the Safety and Antiviral Activity of Remdesivir (GS-5734) in Participants with Serious COVID-19 Infection.
• A randomized, double-blind, multicentre phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Remdesivir plus Tocilizumab compared with Remdesivir plus Placebo in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
• An Adaptive, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase II/III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sarilumab in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.
• Randomized, single-blind, phase II study to evaluate the activity and safety of a low oral dose of Selinexor (KPT-330) in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.
• A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine-release syndrome.
• A multicentre, double-blind, randomized phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ivermectin plus standard treatment compared to placebo plus standard treatment in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who do not require invasive ventilation.
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study to assess the safety and efficacy of Detocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Scientific lines

• Creation of a hybrid (genetic and protein) preventive vaccine based on modified AAV vectors.
• The group has experience in designing and using viral vectors for various therapeutic applications that we believe could be used as a platform for creating new hybrid (genetic and protein) preventive vaccines, in this case for COVID-19.

Group leader

• Barquinero Mañez, Jordi 

Main researchers

• Barquinero Mañez, Jordi
• Chillon Rodriguez, Miguel
• Anguela Martínez, Xavier

Scientific lines

• Identification of target cells and their SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in the human lung (which could be extended to other primary cells or tissues).
• Effect of local conditions and immune mediators (i.e. IFNs, IL-6, IL-1b, TNFa, etc.) on receptor expression and SARS-CoV-2 entry.
• Identification of therapeutics to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 interaction/entry in the human lung (and potentially other primary cells or tissues).
• Identification of immune correlates of protection in people with mild infection (neutralizing antibodies, ADE, tissue resident T cell memory).

Main researchers

• Buzón Gómez, Mª José

Investigadors principals

• Buzón Gómez, Mª José
• Genescà Ferrer, Meritxell
• Chillón Rodríguez, Miguel
• Jauregui Abularach, Alberto
• Rosado Rodríguez, Joel
• Soler Romeo, Mª José

Scientific lines

• Analyse the RAAS pathway state in COVID-19 patients.
• Study the influence that ACEi/ARBs may have on ACE2 expression in different tissues (kidney, lung, heart) in humans, in animal models and in cellular models.

Group leader

• Soler Romeo, Maria Jose 

Main researchers

• Soler Romeo, Maria Jose
• Jacobs Cachá, Concepció
• Serón Micas, Daniel
• Trilla Herrera, Enric
• Rosado Rodríguez, Joel
• Genesca Ferrer, Meritxell
• Buzón Gómez, María José
• Ribera Sole, Aida
• Benito Villabriga, Begoña
• Hernández González, Manuel
• Ferrer Costa, Roser
• Rodríguez Frías, Francisco
• Gabriel Medina, Pablo
• Román Broto, Antonio

Scientific lines

• Factors associated with the clinical course of patients, including modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Regarding the modifiable factors, we will be studying pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
• Long-term complications. The acquisition of early and lifelong immunity following natural or artificial exposure is of paramount importance for the community-level dynamics of the illness.

Group leader

• Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián 

Main researchers

• Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián
• Fernández Hidalgo, Nuria
• Burgos Cibrian, Joaquin
• Espinosa Pereiro, Juan
• Salvador Velez, Fernando M
• Pujol Borrell, Ricardo
• Antón Pagarolas, Andres

Scientific lines

• Treatment with hydroxychloroquine is associated with a faster drop in positive PCR tests and a very pronounced improvement of symptoms in hospital workers with mild COVID-19 infections (without initial hospitalisation criteria).
• Severity of patients with COVID-19 is associated with outpatient treatment with medicines that may worsen the illness through other, non-ACE2-receptor mechanisms.
• Incidence, classes and severity of adverse reactions to medicines (ARMs) presented by patients hospitalised during the pandemic.
• Collaborative international network of COVID19 cohorts for optimal treatment and prevention, Call Horizon2020 (H2020-SC1-PHE-Conronavirus-2020-2) proposal number 1010115994, proposal acronym: CONNECTION.
• Covid-19 infection and medicines in pregnancy (CONSIGN), Proposal by the EU PE & PV Research Network under a Framework contract following procurement procedure EMA/2017/09/PE/11 (lot4). Study on impact of COVID-19 infection and medicines in pregnancy.

Group leader

• Agustí Escasany, Maria Antònia 

Main researchers

• Agustí Escasany, Maria Antònia
• Diogène Fadini, Eduard
• Danes Carreras, Immaculada
• Vidal Guitart, Xavier
• Sabaté Gallego, Mònica
• Aguilera Martin, Cristina
• Ballarin Alins, Maria Elena
• Riera Arnau, Judit
• Ribera Pascuet, Esteve
• Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián
• Cossio Gil, Yolima
• Aller Hernández, Marta Beatriz
• Gorgas Torner, Maria Queralt
• Miarons Font, Marta
• Far Ruíz, Marc
• Aragón, Maria

Scientific lines

• Infection prevention based on the availability of safe, efficacious and effective vaccines and prophylactic drugs against SARS Cov 2 infection.
• SARS Cov 2 epidemiology and transmission dynamics in vulnerable populations (nursing homes, institutionalized populations, healthcare workers).

Group leader

• Otero Romero, Susana 

Main researchers

• Otero Romero, Susana
• Martínez Gómez, Xavier
• Rodrigo Pendás, Jose Angel
• Uriona Tuma, Sonia Maria
• Borras Bermejo, Blanca
• Campins Martí, Magda
• Llorente Parrado, Cesar
• Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
• Antón Pagarolas, Andres
• Soriano Arandes, Antoni
• Melendo Perez, Susana
• Almirante Gragera, Benito

Scientific lines

• Study on the environment pollution of surfaces and personal protective equipment for patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), treated with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.
• Study on the incidence of superinfections in patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
• Study on the long-term morpho-functional alterations of patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) who meet the criteria for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• Effect of treatment with inhaled nitric oxide on patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) who meet the criteria for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• Analysis of the immunological profiles of patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) who meet the criteria for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• Analysis of pregnant patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to non-pregnant patients with the same pathology.
• Analysis of clinical profiles of paediatric patients with severe respiratory infection associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Líder de grupo

• Roca, Oriol

Investigadores/as principales:

• Roca, Oriol
• Ferrer, Ricard
• Ruiz, Juan Carlos
• Nuvials, Xavier
• Cruz, Maria Jesús
• Muñoz, Xavier
• Rodríguez, Virginia
• Antón, Andrés
• Martínez, Mònica
• Pujol, Ricardo
• Balcells, Joan
• Suy, Anna
• Pacheco, Andrés
• García-de-Acilu, Marina
• Ramos, Francisco J.
• Martínez, María

Scientific lines:

• Precision medicine requires the identification of various phenotypes and biomarkers that enable the personalisation of treatments and the comparison of developments and complications. The research questions are focused on clarifying the interaction between the virus and the host.
• The group has made a contribution to phenotype identification and is raising research questions in biomarkers in several subpopulations and database analyses. Identifying various biomarkers enables these phenotypes to be characterised and a prognostic stratification to be made, as well as comparisons with other viruses (the RSV, the influenza virus, etc.).
• The line is focused on the disease and covers the ambulance, hospitalisation, ICU and post-COVID follow-up stages.

Group leader:

• Rello Condomines, Jordi

Main researchers:

• Rello Condomines, Jordi
• Balcells Ramirez, Joan
• Mazo Torre, Cristopher Alan
• Peña Lopez, Yolanda
• Pont Castellana, Teresa
• Sandiumenge Camps, Alberto
• Tejada Magraner, Sofia

Scientific lines

• Study on the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among paediatric patients (CO-PEDIA-CAT study).
• Utility of SARS-CoV-2 treatments in paediatrics.
• Study on multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 in paediatrics.
• Mother-child transmission of COVID-19 (together with Obstetrics groups).

Group leader

• Soriano Arandes, Antoni
•  

Main researchers

• Soriano Arandes, Antoni
• Melendo Perez, Susana
• Martín Nalda, Andrea
• Frick , Marie Antoinette
• Rivière, Jacques
• Soler Palacín, Pere
• Campins Martí, Magda
• Otero Romero, Susana
• Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
• Sulleiro Igual, Elena
• Antón Pagarolas, Andres
• Colobran Oriol, Roger
• Suy Franch, Anna
• Camba Longueira, Fátima
• Wörner Tomasa, Núria
• Casquero Cossío, Alejandro
• Rodríguez Losada, Olalla
• González Peris, Sebastià
• Velasco Puyó, Pablo

Scientific lines

• It was seen during the pandemic that ECMOs can rescue patients suffering from forms of hypoxaemia and/or shock that are resistant to conventional support measures.

Group leader

• Riera del Brío, Jordi

Main researchers

• Riera del Brío, Jordi
• Argudo Serra, Eduard
• Martinez Martinez, Maria
• Diaz Lagares, Candido
• Contreras Medina, Sofia
• García Roche, Sandra
• Rodríguez Lecoq, Rafael
• Castro Alba, Miguel Angel

Scientific lines

• Researching the appearance of secondary neuromuscular diseases in an infection of the peripheral nervous system by the virus, and the immunological response against the virus (e.g. post-COVID Guillain Barré and Miller Fisher syndrome).
• Studying the exacerbations of pre-existing neuromuscular diseases, such as in patients with myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other myopathies.
• Identifying the consequence the anti-COVID-19 treatments administered to patients with neuromuscular diseases and other patients with prolonged stays in ICUs (neuromyopathy in critical patients).
• Studying the impact on the clinical management of patients in neuromuscular units, owing to the change of the health system’s functioning (problems accessing the hospital for an appropriate follow-up, delays in diagnosing neuromuscular pathologies).
• Identifying genetic susceptibility factors that predispose individuals to developing neuromuscular diseases associated with infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• Studying how lockdown situations have a psychological impact that alters the quality of life of individuals affected by a neuromuscular disease.

Group leader

• Juntas Morales, Raul

Main researchers

• Juntas Morales, Raul
• González Martínez, María Victoria
• Palasi Franco, Antonio
• Sánchez-Tejerin San José, Daniel
• Salvadó Figueras, Maria
• Vidal Taboada, José Manuel
• Canovas Segura, Anna Belen

Scientific lines

• Effect of renin-angiotensin complex inhibitor drugs on COVID-19 infection in patients with heart disease, diabetes or hypertension.
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with heart disease: current dynamics and future projections (IMPACAR).
• Influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the development of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with structural cardiopathy using implantable cardiac devices.
• Cardiovascular impact of COVID-19 infection over 1 year period. The aim is to monitor and record cardiovascular clinical events among this population over 1 year.
• Morphological cardiac effects of COVID-19 infection detected through echocardiography with strain and cardiac magnetic resonance.
• Long-term myocardiac fibrosis in COVID-19 patients. Calpain inhibition as an antifibrotic strategy. ACE-2 receptors play a key role in the pathogenesis of the virus. The disruption of these receptors causes cardiac remodelling in the long term, leading to hypertrophy and fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction and cardiac insufficiency. The new calpain inhibitors prevent fibroblast activation and interstitial collagen deposition and improve ventricular function in ACE-2-activation experimental models.
• Therapeutic strategies for reducing secondary lesions in the COVID-19 inflammatory cytokine storm.

Group leader

• Bañeras Rius, Jordi 

Main researchers

• Bañeras Rius, Jordi
• Clau-Terré, Fernando
• García García de Acilu, Marina
• Cossio Gil, Yolima
• Aller Hernández, Marta Beatriz
• Soler Romeo, Maria José
• Ribera Sole, Aida
• Rivas Gandara, Nuria
• Inserte Igual, Javier
• Rodríguez Sinovas, Antonio
• Rodríguez Palomares, Jose Fernando
• Ferreira González, Ignacio
•  

Scientific lines

• Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women.
• Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the foetus during pregnancy.
• Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Group leader

• Suy Franch, Anna

Main researchers

• Suy Franch, Anna
• Maiz Elizaran, Nerea
• Garcia Ruiz de Gordejuela, Itziar
• Rodó Rodríguez, Carlota
• Fernández Hidalgo, Núria
• Sacanell Lacasa, Judith
• Balcells Ramirez, Joan
• Sulleiro Igual, Elena
• Navarro Jiménez, Alexandra
• Ribes Bautista, Carmen
• Frick , Marie Antoinette
• Campins Martí, Magda

Scientific lines

• Impact of physical inactivity on co-morbidity in wheelchair-user patients during the pandemic.
• Effectiveness of early mobilisation on reducing complications arising from admission to ICUs in patients with COVID 19.
• Neurological complications in patients with severe pneumonia associated with COVID 19 and approaches to neuro-rehabilitation.
• A study on prevailing after-effects relating to dysphagia and voice problems in patients hospitalised for COVID 19-associated pneumonia.
• Mid-term remote monitoring programme following discharge from hospital for functional assessments of patients.
• Effects of an mHealth on physical inactivity in patients with spinal injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Impact of high-resolution consultations on assessments of post-COVID after-effects.
• Impacte de la consulta d’ alta resolució en la valoració de seqüeles post Covid.
• PROMs and PREMS following treatment with the ReHab platform in patients with motor and respiratory after-effects of patients who have been infected with COVID-19.

Group leader

• Montesinos, Lluïsa

Main researchers

• Gómez Garrido, Alba
• Montesinos Magraner, Lluïsa
• Rodríguez González, Susana
• Velasco Zarzuelo, Mercedes
• Crespo Fresno, Almudena
• Sánchez Raya, Judith

Scientific lines

• (Clinical (PET/CT or SPECT/CT based) and pre-clinical (in any imaging discipline)) molecular medical imaging and metabolomics studies of any type of sample (plasma, serum, peripheral blood cells (RBC, PBMC, PMN…), tissue, stools, etc.) to:
  1. Find new diagnostic approaches (whether 100% imaging or through AI).
  2. New diagnostic-use biomarkers.
  3. New therapeutic targets.
  4. Studying the effects of the virus on the physiology and metabolism of certain organs or tissues.

Group leader

• Herance Camacho, José Raul 

Main researchers

• Herance Camacho, José Raul
• Castell Conesa, Joan
• Aguade Bruix, Santiago
• Baguña Torres, Julia
• Xiao, Xingpeng
• Aparicio Gomez, Carolina
• Ferrer Costa, Roser
• Giralt Arnaiz, Marina

Scientific lines

• Impact of COVID-19 on mental disorders.
• Mental disorders as a risk factor of COVID-19: immunological profile.
• COVID-19: impact on mental health of professionals.
• End of life processes.
• Mental health development in patients with COVID-19.

Group leader

• Beneria, Ana / Forner, Mireia 

Main researchers

• Beneria González, Ana
• Fidel Kinori, Sara Guila
• Forner Puntonet, Mireia
• Gisbert Gustemps, Laura
• Lugo Marín, Jorge
• Inzitari, Marco

Scientific lines

• Biological samples processing.
• Biological samples access.
• Biosecurity in sample handling.

Group leader

• Novoa, Isabel 

Main researchers

• Hernández González, Manuel
• Roger Colobran Oriol
• Cruz, Mª Jesús
• Antón, Andrés
• Esperalba, Juliana