The study, led by Drs. Emilio Pariente and José Luis Hernández, was recently published in the scientific journal Current Medical Research and Opinion and sheds light on a rarely explored aspect of the pandemic: Could an imbalance in bone metabolism make us more prone to developing COVID-19?
To answer this question, the researchers defined a new index of altered bone metabolism (AOMI), which integrates key markers of bone formation, degradation, quality, and quantity. Applying this index to more than 800 participants from the Camargo Cohort, the team found that individuals with altered bone metabolism (AOMI+) had a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Remarkably, this risk remained even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, or the presence of other diseases.
The findings point to a complex scenario, involving persistent systemic inflammation, poorer bone quality, and an unfavorable lipid profile — that is, an altered balance of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Moreover, the link between bone metabolism and coronavirus infection was especially strong in younger individuals, suggesting that hormonal mechanisms may also be involved.
Another key finding is that bone quality — measured through the so-called trabecular bone score (TBS) — appeared to be more relevant than bone quantity (bone mineral density) in predicting the risk of infection.
An Underexplored Link Between Immunity and Bone Metabolism
This study opens a new line of research in the field of immuno-osteology, a discipline that investigates how the immune system and the skeletal system interact. According to the authors, bone biomarkers could become indirect indicators of infection vulnerability in the future, and even help identify at-risk populations in the context of new pandemics.
The research was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including researchers from IDIVAL’s Immunopathology Group, professionals from the Internal Medicine and Rheumatology departments at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, faculty from the University of Cantabria’s School of Medicine, and primary care physicians from the Camargo and Solares health centers. Among the authors are Emilio Pariente, Marta Martín, Daniel Nan, Daniel Martínez, Héctor Basterrechea, Javier Pardo, Merelyn Bonome, Sandra Solares, Carmen Ramos, José Manuel Olmos, Raquel Pascua, Víctor M. Martínez, and José Luis Hernández.
Photo caption: From left to right, Dr. Emilio Pariente, family physician in Camargo and associate professor at the University of Cantabria; Dr. José Manuel Olmos, co-PI of the Camargo Cohort and Professor of Medicine at UC; and Dr. José Luis Hernández, PI of the Camargo Cohort, Head of Internal Medicine at HUMV, and associate professor at UC. All three are members of the Immunopathology Group at IDIVAL.
A team from the Immunopathology Group at IDIVAL, the University of Cantabria, and the Cantabrian Health Service has discovered a relationship between bone metabolism and vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2. The study, led by Drs. Emilio Pariente and José Luis Hernández, was recently published in the scientific journal Current Medical Research and Opinion and sheds light on […]
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute Foundation (IDIVAL) has launched the hiring process for a team of 10 professionals who will lead the implementation of the ambitious project VALDATA: Cantabria Towards a Health Data Economy. The initiative, backed by €1.7 million in funding from the 2023 Sectoral Data Spaces Programme — financed through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – NextGenerationEU — marks a milestone in the innovation and digital transformation of Cantabria’s healthcare system.
The new team, composed of legal experts, engineers, data scientists and project managers, will be tasked with designing, launching and consolidating an advanced digital ecosystem for the management, analysis and sharing of health data. The positions are offered under one-year employment contracts.
A strategic commitment to multidisciplinary talent
The recruitment of this team represents a decisive step in building the VALDATA data space, which aims to maximise the value of clinical, genomic and administrative data already generated by Cantabria’s healthcare system. Key responsibilities of the team will include:
Designing and implementing secure and scalable technological infrastructures.
Coordinating and monitoring use cases, such as antimicrobial resistance tracking or value-based healthcare.
Integrating ethical and legal principles to ensure regulatory compliance in data protection and governance.
The team’s legal expert will play a key role in ensuring the project aligns with frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and European data governance legislation.
VALDATA: a future vision for digital health
Cantabria’s healthcare system, known for its capacity to generate and manage data, will serve as the driving force behind this project. Initiatives such as Cohorte Cantabria — which has collected clinical and genomic data from over 43,000 individuals — offer a unique reference framework for integrating real-time data into the new digital space.
Beyond its technological dimension, VALDATA includes a communication, training and sustainability plan to ensure long-term impact. The ultimate goal: for Cantabria to become a leading region in the health data economy and to share its model with other regions across Europe.
Interested in being part of the change?
The IDIVAL employment portal (https://www.idival.org/empleo/) features the job profiles and requirements for these positions, all to be filled through IDIVAL’s official recruitment channels. Professionals passionate about digital transformation in healthcare are encouraged to stay informed and take part in this transformative challenge.
With VALDATA, Cantabria is taking a decisive step toward the future of digital health.
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute Foundation (IDIVAL) has launched the hiring process for a team of 10 professionals who will lead the implementation of the ambitious project VALDATA: Cantabria Towards a Health Data Economy. The initiative, backed by €1.7 million in funding from the 2023 Sectoral Data Spaces Programme — financed through the Recovery, […]
This Monday, the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) welcomed Glòria Oliver Rodríguez, Deputy Director General of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, and Joan Vives i Tomàs, Administrative Director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). During their visit to IDIVAL’s headquarters in Santander, they held a meeting with Galo Peralta Fernández, Managing Director, Marcos López Hoyos, Scientific Director of the Institute and Félix Rubial, Managing Director at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) with the aim of sharing experiences and exploring potential synergies for collaboration in the field of health research.
Eloy Rodríguez, principal investigator at the HUMV in the area of Alzheimer’s disease, also joined the meeting. He shared with the Pasqual Maragall Foundation the progress being made in Alzheimer’s research at Valdecilla and expressed interest in their proposal for future joint initiatives.
IDIVAL also presented the progress of the Cantabria Cohort, an ambitious population-based project that gathers clinical, biological, and epidemiological data from over 45,000 participants and is now nearing completion. This cohort represents a valuable resource for current and future research in population health, personalized medicine, and early disease detection, and is already serving as the foundation for numerous scientific studies.
The Pasqual Maragall Foundation, in turn, shared insights from the ALFA Study, a research platform with a cohort of 2,700 cognitively healthy individuals, focused on the early detection and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. This pioneering study is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and reflects the Foundation’s strong commitment to science as a means to defeat neurodegenerative diseases.
The meeting also highlighted the strategic collaboration between the Pasqual Maragall Foundation and CRG through the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), the Foundation’s scientific institution. Both entities work together to study the genetic modulation of brain phenotypes through genomic analyses and neuroimaging data, as part of BBRC’s clinical research program on Alzheimer’s. This alliance, supported by funding from the Strategic Plan for Health Research and Innovation (PERIS) of Catalonia, strengthens the link between basic and applied research to advance the understanding of this disease.
The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), represented by Joan Vives, also emphasized its internationally recognized organizational model and its multidisciplinary approach to understanding the genetic foundations of life and disease. Based in Barcelona and part of the CERCA research centers system in Catalonia, CRG promotes cutting-edge biomedical research through collaboration with both public and private institutions, with a strong commitment to scientific renewal and the social impact of knowledge.
This meeting reinforces the shared commitment of all three institutions to advancing biomedical science through a collaborative approach focused on societal benefit.
Photo caption: From left to right, Galo Peralta, Glòria Oliver, Eloy Rodríguez, Marcos López, and Joan Vives.
This Monday, the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) welcomed Glòria Oliver Rodríguez, Deputy Director General of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, and Joan Vives i Tomàs, Administrative Director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). During their visit to IDIVAL’s headquarters in Santander, they held a meeting with Galo Peralta Fernández, Managing Director, Marcos López […]
The cultural initiative Patrona en las Calles has donated €1,200 to the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL). The amount was raised through their charitable activities linked to the patron saint festivities and Christmas celebrations in the city of Torrelavega. The donation handover ceremony recently took place at IDIVAL’s facilities in Santander.
The funds were raised through their special Lotería Patronal, a 100% charitable lottery, with all proceeds going directly to IDIVAL.
Patrona en las Calles is a non-profit initiative driven by five friends from the Torrelavega area, aimed at strengthening the city’s social and cultural fabric. With events focused on music and local cultural identity, the project is rooted in a clear community spirit: to celebrate the city’s heritage while actively contributing to the wellbeing of its people.
“For us, this donation is a way of giving back all the support we receive from the community. Supporting research means supporting the future of everyone,” the organizers said.
IDIVAL expressed gratitude for the gesture, highlighting the importance of this kind of grassroots initiative that brings science closer to society and strengthens the link between culture, social commitment, and health innovation.
The cultural initiative Patrona en las Calles has donated €1,200 to the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL). The amount was raised through their charitable activities linked to the patron saint festivities and Christmas celebrations in the city of Torrelavega. The donation handover ceremony recently took place at IDIVAL’s facilities in Santander. The funds were […]
The team led by Dr. J. Francisco Nistal and Dr. Raquel García from the IDIVAL research group on Cytokines and Pathological Tissue Plasticity Phenomena, in collaboration with Dr. Joaquín Bedia from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Cantabria, has designed a predictive model that, based on the patient’s sex, distinguishes between those who will normalize left ventricular mass one year after valve replacement and those who will retain residual hypertrophy. To achieve this, they applied machine learning methods—a branch of artificial intelligence with extensive applications in medical diagnosis and prognostic estimation. The predictive models developed using Bayesian networks, which combined miRNome sequencing data and clinical data, made it possible to identify a sex-specific profile of deregulated microRNAs that enables the estimation of residual hypertrophy one year after surgery with 90% accuracy.
This project deepens the identification of genetic markers, alongside clinical markers, with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic stratification value from a gender perspective. This contributes to improving both the indication for and the timing of surgery in patients with aortic stenosis. Stratifying and predicting which patients will normalize their left ventricular mass after surgery is a significant clinical challenge, as the persistence of hypertrophy after surgery negatively impacts both short- and long-term survival and functional recovery.
The project, titled Transcriptomics and artificial intelligence for predicting adverse cardiac remodeling in patients undergoing surgery for aortic valve stenosis, is part of the INN-VAL innovation project support program (Ref. INNVAL21/24) of the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL).
The project Transcriptomics and artificial intelligence for predicting adverse cardiac remodeling in patients undergoing surgery for aortic valve stenosis, funded by the INNVAL 2021 call from the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), has focused on studying omics data from left ventricle biopsies of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent valve replacement surgery at […]
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.
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 […]
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).
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.
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 […]
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.
Members of the Molecular Haematology Laboratory (HEMMOL).
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.
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 […]
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:
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.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
