221504 - 2ND INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: TALES OF MOLECULES AND PATIENTS

In the field of inflammation-based systemic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis we are witnessing a paradox. The interest of the major Pharma companies has led to the introduction in recent years of new drugs that have radically changed the clinical practice, improved the quality of life, the characteristics of the phlogystic involvement and the prognosis of treated patients.

This progress was made possible by the pioneering basic immunology studies made in the Eighties, which brought to the identification of key pharmacological targets, such as TNF, IL 1beta and IL 6. Most “biotechnological” drugs interfere with the biological function of these molecules. However, the therapies do not break the vicious circle at the root of the chronic inflammatory response, of the tissue damage and of the productive response that determine the manifestations of these diseases. The very efficacy of these drugs is a hindrance to the research on the natural history of these illnesses, of which we know very little.

It is only by fully understanding the aetiology and physiopathology of the illnesses that therapies will conceivably be designed to radically alter the natural history and ultimately the result in the patients' actual healing process. In this view, a group of scientists and physicians have decided to bring together in a workshop, medical specialists in the fields of Rheumatology with researchers from basic science in order

to foster collaborations. Many of the aspects that will be discussed are at the forefront of research in rheumatology to foster the development of novel and personalized treatments for patients.

The 2nd International workshop on “Ankylosing Spondylitis: Tales of molecules and patients” will take place at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Bellinzona, Switzerland).

The scientific committee of the workshop is composed of 8 scientists, who are well established in the field of inflammatory diseases, rheumatology, and computational science.

The scientific committee has agreed on a programme grid that consists of 1 opening lecture (45min) and 12 invited speakers (25min+discussion).

The budged of the workshop is about 45'000 CHF based on 70-100 participants. About 30'000 CHF will come through the Fondazione Ceschina, a non-profit foundation under Swiss law created on 10 January 2013, which supports research in the field of spondyloarthritis (Fondazioneceschina.org). The organizing committee is seeking to obtain the remaining sum from different parties including the SNSF.