Last Friday, March 28, the Botín Foundation in Santander hosted the third edition of the National Forum on Health Innovation Management, organized by the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and the Cantabrian Government’s Ministry of Health, with the collaboration of Johnson & Johnson and the Botín Foundation. Under the title “Deconstructing to Build the Future of Health,” the event focused on analyzing the challenges facing the healthcare system and exploring innovative solutions to strengthen it.

The forum, co-directed by Galo Peralta and Joaquín Cayón, is part of the MINDS Project and brought together managers, researchers, and executives from public and private healthcare institutions across Spain. The opening session featured the participation of the Health Ministers of Cantabria and the Basque Country, César Pascual and Alberto Martínez, who analyzed the threats and opportunities in the healthcare system from an innovative perspective. They emphasized the need for structural changes to ensure its sustainability. The discussion, moderated by journalist Ernesto Sáenz de Buruaga, provided a disruptive approach to the future of the sector.

Exploring the Pillars of Change in Healthcare

Following the initial discussion, the event was structured into five panels, each addressing different levels of transformation within the healthcare system.

The first panel, “When Everything Shakes,” reflected on the main challenges facing the healthcare system and the need to design a pilot project with a forward-thinking vision. Next, “Architects of Change” focused on planning resources and strategies to bring healthcare transformation to life.

In the implementation phase, the third panel, “Getting to Work,” explored the piloting of projects and the identification of barriers to their deployment. The afternoon session began with “Building the Future,” where speakers analyzed the medium- and long-term sustainability of the initiatives.

The forum concluded with “Consolidating the Future of Healthcare,” a panel featuring Alumni of the MINDS Master’s Program, who shared experiences and innovative initiatives that reinforce the foundations of a more adaptable and efficient healthcare system.

A Forum Driving Change

The 3rd National Forum on Health Innovation Management has established itself as a key space for fostering synergies among healthcare professionals, encouraging debate on the evolution of the system, and highlighting the need to integrate innovative strategies for its improvement.

The event concluded with remarks from Luis Carretero, Managing Director of the Cantabrian Health Service, and Susana López Altuna, General Director of Osakidetza, who underscored the importance of initiatives like this forum in addressing future challenges in healthcare management.

The Lupus Rotation Sessions kick off today in Santander, a key event for training and updating knowledge on the multidisciplinary approach to this autoimmune disease. Over two days, specialists in rheumatology, immunology, pathology, and other disciplines will share insights on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

These sessions are jointly organized by the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and AstraZeneca, with the collaboration of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital.

The first session will take place this afternoon, April 2, at the Gran Hotel Sardinero, where experts from the Rheumatology, Immunology, and Pathology Departments of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital will discuss lupus diagnosis and early detection. The session will begin at 7:30 PM and will run until 8:45 PM.

On Thursday, April 3, the sessions will continue at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital with an intensive schedule from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM. The agenda will include discussions on disease activity indices, multidisciplinary teamwork, and therapeutic strategies based on clinical evidence and EULAR guidelines. Additionally, practical workshops and visits to immunology and pathology laboratories will provide a comprehensive view of lupus management.

Key topics will include early diagnosis, close patient monitoring, and the essential role of specialized nursing in SLE care. This event presents a unique opportunity to strengthen knowledge and clinical practice in lupus management, promoting a collaborative and up-to-date approach to treatment.

Session program

Co-organizes:

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is one of the most common haematological diseases in older adults, with a higher incidence in men than in women. Despite advances in treatment, it remains an incurable disease, and patients eventually develop resistance to available therapies. In this context, a team of researchers led by Carlos Pipaón, from the Haematological Neoplasms and Haematopoietic Progenitor Transplantation group at the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), has published a study in the journal Cancers that could open new therapeutic avenues.

The article, titled “Distinct NF-kB Regulation Favors a Synergic Action of Pevonedistat and Laduviglusib in B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Ex Vivo,” was authored by researchers Víctor Arenas, José Luis Castaño, Juan José Domínguez, Lucrecia Yáñez, and Carlos Pipaón. The study demonstrates that a combination of two drugs, Pevonedistat and Laduviglusib, can enhance the death of CLL tumour cells without severely affecting healthy cells.

A New Approach to CLL Treatment

Current treatments for CLL are designed to target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as B-cell receptor signalling or the overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, which prevents cell death. However, these treatments are not curative and may lead to resistance over time.

The IDIVAL research group has focused on a lesser-explored aspect of CLL: proteostasis, the balance between protein synthesis and degradation within the cell. In CLL, this process is disrupted, promoting the production of proteins that drive tumour growth while degrading those that would control it.

Promising Results and Next Steps

The study has shown that Pevonedistat, a drug that blocks protein degradation, enhances the effect of Laduviglusib, an inhibitor previously shown to induce the death of leukaemic B lymphocytes. The combination appears to act synergistically and selectively on tumour cells, potentially minimising adverse effects on healthy cells.

Although these results were obtained from cultured blood samples of patients, the researchers plan to conduct further experiments in the coming months to assess its efficacy before considering clinical trials in humans. If the findings are confirmed, this combination could be added to existing treatments to prevent resistance and improve the prognosis of CLL patients.

“If we can ultimately demonstrate the effectiveness of this combined treatment in our preclinical trials, we would open the door to new therapies that could complement those currently available, helping to prevent the resistance that sometimes develops with prolonged use,” explains Carlos Pipaón.

Link to the article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39941899/

On April 10, 2025, the María Blanchard Hall at the Palacio de Festivales in Santander will host the I Conference on Healthcare Social Work, an event aimed at social work professionals from all fields, as well as healthcare and social sector professionals and interested citizens.

Under the theme “Building Health Networks,” the conference seeks to strengthen coordination among different areas of social work, addressing strategies for child protection, support for vulnerable groups, and the continuity of social treatment in healthcare settings.

A Program for Reflection and Action

The event will feature experts and professionals from the field and will be structured around three discussion panels:

• Advances in Coordination within the Cantabrian Health Service – Discussions will focus on experiences in creating support networks, protection from pregnancy, and healthcare-social coordination for frail older adults.

• Joining Efforts for the Continuity of Healthcare Social Treatment – A space to analyze judicial support measures, new challenges in coordination, and strategies to extend beyond hospital care.

• Scientific and Professional Networks – A discussion on the progress of the healthcare social work profession and the role of scientific associations.

Open Registration

Registration will be open from March 24 to April 7:

• Professionals of the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS): via the SOFOS training platform.

• Individuals not affiliated with the SCS: through the website of the Cantabrian School of Health.

A Joint Effort

The conference is organized by the Government of Cantabria, the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), IDIVAL, the Valdecilla Foundation, the Hospitalarias Foundation, and Hospital Santa Clotilde, with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Work and Health, GAES, and Vitalia.

This event represents a key opportunity to strengthen the healthcare social work network, fostering synergies that contribute to more coordinated and comprehensive care.

The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) is participating as an associate entity in the European project JADE Health (Joint Action on Dementia and Health System Sustainability), a joint action funded by the European Commission under the EU4Health program. This initiative, which brings together institutions from various European countries, aims to improve prevention, early diagnosis, and integrated care for dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders.

JADE Health seeks to develop strategies to address the growing burden of dementia in Europe and enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems. The joint action is designed to strengthen collaboration among member states in the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and care of dementia and stroke, promoting evidence-based innovative approaches.

The JADE Health project, with full information available on its website (jadementia.eu), recently held its inaugural meeting in Mérida. During this event, project partners established the working framework for the coming years.

At IDIVAL, a team of researchers led by Eloy Rodríguez, including Francisco Martínez, Carmen Lage, María Bravo, Carlos Fernández Viadero, and Miguel Ángel Martínez-Antón, will actively contribute to three of the project’s work packages (6, 7, and 8). Their work will focus on several key areas, including:

• Identifying unmet needs, challenges, and benefits in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the use of biomarkers in prevention and treatment strategies.

• Producing country-specific reports based on real-world data to guide policymakers and decision-makers in dementia and stroke prevention strategies.

• Developing and testing a predictive model for potentially preventable cases of dementia and stroke, based on the prevalence of country-specific risk factors.

• Defining and harmonizing the characteristics of a European risk factor surveillance system for dementia and stroke.

• Analyzing the current state of post-diagnosis integrated care for people with dementia and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Designing and implementing pilot actions to improve integrated care for individuals with a potential dementia diagnosis.

• Formulating recommendations to develop services and clinical pathways that ensure sustainable care models, considering resource allocation, accessibility, and equity in care quality.

Through its participation in JADE Health, IDIVAL strengthens its commitment to public health research and innovation in the care of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This work will contribute to generating evidence to improve dementia prevention and treatment strategies at the European level.

On February 14, 2025, a workshop was held at IDIVAL’s LiNNUX Lab, in collaboration with FISABIO and with the participation of LASINDE.

Under the title “How can we improve healthcare mobility in Cantabria?”, the event brought together healthcare professionals, innovation experts and health service users, who contributed valuable ideas and perspectives on the topic.

The workshop took place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, as part of the Join2Procure+ project, an initiative focused on the exchange of experiences in Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI). Throughout the session, participants discussed strategies and practices that could be implemented to improve access to healthcare services, promoting a collaborative approach focused on community needs.

The collaboration between IDIVAL and FISABIO in the field of PPI began in 2023, allowing both institutions to develop joint activities and advance in the implementation of innovative solutions in healthcare management.

Next month, the largest biomedical research project in Cantabria, a pioneering initiative in Spain, will mark four years of progress and is now on the verge of reaching its initial goal of 50,000 participants.

Cantabria Cohort has already surpassed 45,000 volunteers, entering the final stage of its recruitment phase. This major biomedical research project, a first-of-its-kind in Spain, will celebrate its fourth anniversary in April, bringing it closer to its initial goal of enrolling 50,000 participants.

Over the years, the project has made significant advances and incorporated new initiatives. Cantabria Cohort collaborates with multiple scientific teams using participant data and samples to conduct research in diverse areas such as diabetes, cancer, and digestive diseases.

Thanks to its successful reception, Cantabria Cohort will have its own governance starting in 2025 and is receiving full financial support from the Regional Health Department. In this regard, the project’s research team is actively involved in a new initiative led by the General Directorate of Public Health, aimed at developing a strategy to combat childhood obesity in the region.

Other recent additions to Cantabria Cohort include cognitive tests through the online platform CogniFit, a new questionnaire on diseases, feedback surveys to enhance study quality, and global statistics on some of the data collected so far, available on the project’s website.

Additionally, the project coordinators have launched live broadcasts on YouTube, an innovative way to engage with participants, who can ask questions in real time via chat. The coordinators address common inquiries such as “When will follow-ups begin?”, “Why aren’t tests conducted at my health center?”, and “Why haven’t I received my results?” in the latest broadcast, available at the following link: YouTube Live Session.

5,000 More Volunteers Needed, Preferably from Remote Areas

Cantabria Cohort is open to residents of Cantabria aged 40 to 70. The study team contacts eligible individuals daily, but anyone interested can learn more and participate through the project’s website: Cohorte Cantabria.

Although more than 45,000 Cantabrians have already joined the study, Cantabria Cohort is calling for 5,000 additional volunteers, particularly from rural areas far from Santander (Liébana, Campoo-Los Valles, Valles Pasiegos, Asón-Agüera, and the Eastern Coast) and within the 40 to 44 age group.

Currently, women make up 58% of participants, so men are also encouraged to join the study. Preparations are already underway for the follow-up phase, set to begin this year, which may include new tests and questionnaires to collect additional relevant data.

About Cantabria Cohort

Cantabria Cohort is a research project led by the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), with support from Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital and the Government of Cantabria. This initiative is building a large biomedical data and sample platform from the Cantabrian population, accessible to researchers across various fields. The studies derived from Cantabria Cohort aim to advance Personalized Medicine, enabling more effective approaches for each patient.

On 27 February, the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital will hold an Update Day on Rare Diseases and the Need for a Multiprofessional Approach (360º), a meeting organised by the Hospital’s Internal Medicine, Paediatrics and Genetics Services to commemorate World Day for Rare Diseases.

The event, in collaboration with the University of Cantabria, the Regional Ministry of Health, the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), IDIVAL and the Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), will take place from 16:30 hours in the Hospital’s Gómez Durán conference room. Access is free, although for logistical reasons, those interested should send an email to enfrares360@gmail.com before 23 February to confirm attendance.

The Hospital’s medical director, Ramón Herrería, will be in charge of welcoming the participants and giving the first talk of the day, ‘Systematic diseases’, in which experts from Valdecilla and other hospitals in the country will address this topic. Álvaro Hermida, internist from the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), will speak on Fabry’s disease, and Domingo González-Lamuño, a doctor from the Paediatrics Department of the HUMV, will speak on Aminoacidopathies.

The second round table of the day, ‘New projects’, moderated by Domingo González-Lamuño, will start at 18:00. It will address different initiatives related to Rare Diseases thanks to the presentations of José Luis Fernández Luna, coordinator of the Genetics Service at Valdecilla, who will speak on Genomes in Paediatrics, and Nuria Puente, a doctor from the Internal Medicine Service at Valdecilla, who will give a talk entitled ‘Rare Diseases without Diagnosis’.

At 19:00 the third and last round table of the day will begin, ‘Different perspectives for the same objective’, moderated by the head of the Internal Medicine Section at Valdecilla, José Antonio Riancho. In it, patients and professionals from Cantabria’s associative network will present the different aspects derived from Rare Diseases.

On the one hand, the coordinator of the Early Intervention teams in Cantabria, Adelaida Echevarría, will give a talk on ‘Early Intervention’; then, Jesús Delgado, from the ES Retina Cantabria Association, will give a talk on ‘The patient’s vision’, and finally, the Director General of Planning, Organisation, Knowledge Management and Digital Health of the Regional Ministry of Health, Óscar Fernández Torre, will talk about the Rare Diseases registers.

Agenda

The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL), through its Nursing Research Group, is launching two free online courses as part of the European JACARDI project (Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes). These trainings, endorsed by the Cantabrian Health Service, are designed to promote self-care and health literacy among the population.

The JACARDI project aims to reduce the health and economic impact of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, two of the leading causes of healthcare expenditure in the European Union. In Cantabria, IDIVAL is leading this initiative with the goal of improving people’s quality of life and reducing the healthcare burden through health education and the promotion of healthy habits.

Two courses accessible to everyone

The first course, “Managing Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: Empowering Your Health – A Comprehensive Course for Patients”, is aimed at individuals living with these conditions, as well as their families and anyone interested in learning practical self-management strategies. It is set to begin on Wednesday, March 5.

The second course, “Take Care of Yourself: Heart-Healthy Lifestyles”, is designed for the general public and provides simple guidelines on nutrition, physical activity, rest, and stress management to improve cardiovascular health. It will start on Monday, March 17.

Both courses will be available for free on the website of the Cantabrian School of Health (https://www.escuelacantabradesalud.es/) and on the official page of the JACARDI project in Cantabria (https://www.idival.org/jacardi-en-cantabria/).

A commitment to public health

JACARDI is an active initiative in 18 European countries that involves healthcare professionals from various disciplines in Cantabria, including nursing, psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition, and medicine from the Cantabrian Health Service and the University of Cantabria.

The launch of these courses is part of JACARDI’s strategies to enhance health literacy, encourage disease self-management, and promote healthier lifestyles, thus helping to reduce the economic, emotional, and healthcare burden of these conditions.

For more information about the JACARDI project in Cantabria, visit the official project page: https://www.idival.org/jacardi-en-cantabria/.

Researchers from the Skeletal, Metabolic, and Environmental Diseases Group (iESQUEMA) from the IDIVAL, have developed a new approach based on the secretome of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis. This work, recently published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy, demonstrates that a single administration of a secretome, modified to enhance its osteogenic potential, is capable of significantly halting bone mass loss in preclinical models of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The researchers have identified and optimized a secretome enriched with bioactive factors that have osteoprotective properties and can modulate the bone microenvironment. Unlike other cell-based treatments in development, this strategy does not require cell transplantation or modification of the patient’s endogenous cells, reducing the risk of adverse effects and simplifying its potential clinical application. Furthermore, since it is a treatment based on bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles, it is more scalable and safer, avoiding the limitations associated with cell viability and expansion.

Results obtained in mouse models of induced osteoporosis indicate that this secretome not only prevents bone loss but also stimulates osteoblast activation, the cells responsible for bone formation. This suggests that its mechanism of action may be twofold: protecting bone from resorption and stimulating its regeneration. These findings position the MSC secretome as one of the most promising strategies in the development of new regenerative therapies for bone diseases.

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of La Laguna, the University of Santiago de Compostela, the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Edinburgh, strengthening a national and international research network in the field of regenerative bone medicine. Currently, the team is working on optimizing the secretome’s composition to improve its efficacy and assess the scalability of its production, paving the way for its future clinical application in patients with osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases.

Link to the article.