Rüegg L, Pluma A, Hamroun S, Cecchi I, Perez-Garcia LF, Anderson PO, Andreoli L, Wirström SB, Boyadhzieva V, Chambers C, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Dolhain RJEM, Fischer-Betz R, Giles I, Gøtestam-Skorpen C, Hoeltzenbein M, Marchiori F, Mayer-Pickel K, Molto A, Nelson-Piercy C, Nielsen OH, Tincani A, Wallenius M, Zbinden A, Meissner Y, Finckh A, Förger F..
EULAR recommendations for use of antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation: 2024 update
Ann Rheum Dis. 2025 Jun;84(6):910-926
DOI: 10.1016/j.ard.2025.02.023
IF: 20.3
RESEARCH GROUPS
Rheumatology
56
Number of publications
80.36
%
% Q1
12.50
%
% D1
39.29
%
% Leadership
45.45
%
% Female Leadership
3.29
CROWN (2021-2025)
25.91
%
HCP10% (2021-2025)
62.50
%
% Open access
42.86
%
% International Collaboration
12
Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)
5
Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores
12
Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)
2
International ongoing projects
5
Number of New projects (total)
0
International new projects
43
Number of Active clinical Trials
15
Number of New Clinical Trials
1
Number of Theses
IMIDomics, a VHIR spinoff cofounded by S Marsal, announced on July 29th, a strategic licensing agreement to initiate the clinical development of its first-in-class IND-cleared program. H2020 EU project DoCTIS coordinated by S Marsal, has completed CT recruitment in Spain and UK. 5 pioneering studies with CAR T-cell therapy: ongoing in (Cortés), and in RA/SS (Marsal). Trallero & VHIO co-leading a national project on IMID patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors. H2020 EU Projects: DarkMatter-NCD, DISCOvERIE-IBS. FIS2025 (Psoriatic Arthritis). Fibrowalk: VHIR-CIBERESP-UAB-UOC. Research Contract: Ex-vivo new targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Task Force Guidelines in pregnancy EULAR QoC012 (Pluma). Sara Borrell CD24/0017 Ocular pathology in IMID. IMID-Biobank recertification ISO: 9001:2015. CT Rheumatology Unit growing in all diseases in Phase I-IV (>40CT). 66 publications in peer-review.
CORE/MISSIONS
- AI, Data, Imaging & Digital Health
- Innovative & Advanced Therapies
- Transplant & Immunomodulation
PROGRAMS
- Woman, Gender & Diversity Perspective in Health Research
TEAM
Group Leader
Sara Marsal Barril
Principal Investigator (PI)
Josefina Cortés, Ernesto Trallero, Juan José de Agustín de Oro, María López, Antonio Julià, Cristina Solé, Jesús Castro, Adrià Aterido, Mayte Serrat, Nuria Palau, Raül Tortosa, Alba Erra
Researchers
Mireia Barceló, Andrea Pluma, Ramón Sanmartín, Miriam Almirall, Mireia López, Xabier Michelena, Alejandro Gómez, Estefanía Moreno, Luís Coronel, Magi Passols, Eros Marín, Carlos Suso
PhD Students
Helena Borrell, María Pascual, Esther Espartal, Judith Fernández, Arturo Llobell, Pere Nubiola, Júlia Torguet, Ana Daniela Ulloa
Lab Technicians
Edgar Núñez, Aitor Ruiz, Erica Téllez, Sara López, Blanca Joseph, Lorena Rodríguez, Mª José Santos
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Pluma A, Hamroun S, Rüegg L, Cecchi I, Kramer M, Perez-Garcia LF, Rivero T, Finckh A, Meissner Y, Förger F.
Antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation: a systematic literature review informing the 2024 update of the EULAR recommendations
Ann Rheum Dis. 2025 Sep;84(9):1561-1590
DOI: 10.1016/j.ard.2025.02.021
IF: 20.3
Royo M, Joseph-Mullol B, Sandoval S, Moliné T, Solé C, Cortés-Hernández J
Integrative miRNA-mRNA profiling uncovers mechanisms of belimumab action in systemic lupus erythematosus
Front Immunol. 2025 Mar 14;16:1553971
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1553971
IF: 5.7
Joseph-Mullol B, Royo M, Preat V, Moliné T, Ferrer B, Aparicio G, Cortés-Hernández J, Solé C.
Topical miRNA Delivery via Elastic Liposomal Formulation: A Promising Genetic Therapy for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 14;26(6):2641
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062641
IF: 4.9
Fernández-Codina A, Nevskaya T, Baron M, Appleton CT, Cecchini MJ, Philip A, El-Shimy M, Vanderhoek L, Pinal-Fernández I, Pope JE.
Brentuximab vedotin compared with historical controls for severe skin involvement in cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Rheumatology (Oxford). 2025 Feb 1;64(2):888-889
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae460
IF: 4.7
SELECTED PROJECTS
Decision on optimal combinatorial therapies in IMIDs using systems approaches. DOCTIS
Principal Investigator: Sara Marsal Barril
Agency: European Commission H2020. H2020-SCH1-BHC-02-2019. . Grant agreement ID: 848028
Funding: 6,260,050.00 €
Period: 01/01/2020 – 31/12/2025
Implementación de un proceso asistencial automatizado para el diagnóstico precoz de artritis psoriásica en pacientes con psoriasis: Proyecto multidisciplinar entre atención primaria y atención hospitalaria.
Principal Investigator: Alba Erra Duran
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. PI25/01718
Funding: 52,449.02€
Period: 01/01/2026 – 01/01/2029
Systemic Erythematosus: from the preclinical phase to established disease. Molecular characterization of the different stages and identification of risk factors for early progression.
Principal Investigator: Josefina Cortés Hernández
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. PI24/01743
Funding: 276,156.25€
Period: 2025-2028
Caracterización clínica y molecular de la patología ocular inflamatoria (POI) en las enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas (EAS); Caracterización clínica y molecular del Síndrome Sjögren (SS); Utilización de las tecnologías ómicas para el estudio de los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes de los fenotipos a estudio.
Principal Investigator: Alejandro Gómez Gómez
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CONTRATOS SARA BORRELL. AES 2024). CD24/00117
Funding: 95,000 €
Period: 2024-2027
Caracterización de las células patogénicas del músculo y piel de pacientes con Dermatomiositis y Síndrome Antisintetasa y estudio de aplicabilidad traslacional
Principal Investigator: Ernesto Trallero Araguás
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. PI22/00708
Funding: 135,520 €
Period: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025
PATENTS
No new patents added in 2025
Priority Number: NA
Priority Date: NA
Applicants: NA
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
I Jornada de pacients i famílies de Reumatologia pediàtrica
Place: Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona & online
Date: 11/10/2025
Brief: Conference organized by the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit of the Rheumatology Service of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (Dra. Estefanía Moreno · Dra. Júlia Torguet · Dra. Mireia López Corbeto · Sra. Júlia Vivancos) aimed at pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and their families.
Vall d'Hebron Talks de Reumatologia Pediàtrica: 'Més enllà del tractament: consells d'autocura, alimentació i activitat física per a nens amb malalties reumàtiques'
Place: Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Date: 20/03/2025
Brief: Conference organized by the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit of the Rheumatology Service of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital with advice on self-care, nutrition and exercise for children with rheumatic diseases. Speaker: Dra. Mireia López Corbeto, Rheymatology. Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Moderator: Estefanía Moreno, Rheumatology. Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Jornada Dia Mundial del Lupus
Place: Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona & Online
Date: 08/05/2025
Brief: Dr. Cristina Solé, researcher of the Lupus Unit leaded by Dr. Josefina Cortés of the Rheumatology group of the VHIR, has presented the results of a recent research paper published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, in which the mechanism of action of the first biological therapy approved for lupus, belimumab, has been studied. The team has investigated how this drug modifies B lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system, and it has been observed that it regulates gene expression through microRNAs, and therefore at an earlier level than messenger RNAs.
Jornada Manejo de Complicaciones Inmunomediadas Secundarias al Tratamiento con Checkpoint Inhibitors en Oncología
Place: Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona & online
Date: 19/09/2025
Brief: Conference organized by Dr. Ernesto Trallero (Rheumatology Service of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital) & Dr. Cristina Suarez (VHIO), to explain the management of Immune-Mediated Complications Secondary to Treatment with Checkpoint Inhibitors in Oncology
Discovery of combination therapies for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
Place: Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Date: 06-07/02/2025
Brief: Vall d'Hebron hosts the general assembly of the DocTIS project, which aims to revolutionize the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Funded by the European Union, this project coordinated by the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and Dra. Marsal, seeks to achieve more effective therapies based on new combinations of existing drugs.
