Translational Research in Immune and Inflammatory Diseases; What are the Challenges, Expected Advances, and Innovative Therapies?

¹ Laboratoire UCB, Colombes, France
² CHRU, Strasbourg, France
³ Université François-Rabelais de Tours, CNRS, GICC UMR 7292, CHRU de Tours, France
⁴ Laboratoire Lilly, Nogent sur Marne, France
⁵ Inserm Transfert, Paris, France
⁶ Laboratoire Merck, Lyon, France
⁷ Laboratoire Pfizer, Paris, France
⁸ LEEM, Paris, France
⁹ Laboratoire CSL Behring, Paris, France
¹⁰ Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France
¹¹ Université François Rabelais; CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
¹² LFB Biotechnologies, Les Ulis, France
¹³ Agence nationale de la recherche, Paris, France

Correspondence and offprints: Jean-Michel Joubert, UCB Pharma SA, Immeuble Défense Ouest, 420 rue d’Estienne d’Orves, 92705 Colombes Cedex, France. E-mail: jean-michel.joubert@ucb.com

Received: 10 June 2014
Accepted: 13 June 2014

Abstract

Despite very different aetiologies and clinical expressions, advancing knowledge in the physiopathology and treatment of immune and inflammatory diseases (IID) prompts us to consider them as a whole. These are chronic, often incapacitating and painful illnesses that progress and destroy organs. Management by discipline too often leads to erroneous diagnoses and sometimes inappropriate treatment. More integrated translational research would further understanding of the complex relationships between cytokines and organ damage, which vary with the conditions and patients, making it possible to develop new biomarkers and personalize treatment. The research in France has very many strengths but its organization is fragmented. Better coordinated research into IID, which could be based on creating a strategic valorization field (domaine de valorisation stratégique, DVS) and thematic multi-organization institute (Institut thématique multi-organismes ITMO), would advance patient management.