Translational research in immune and inflammatory diseases; what are the challenges, expected advances, and innovative therapies?

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.

Five day clarithromycin modified release versus 10 day penicillin V for group A streptococcal pharyngitis: a multi-centre, open-label, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: A multicentre, comparative, randomized, open-label, Phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of clarithromycin modified release (MR) versus penicillin V for pharyngitis due to group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS). METHODS: Three hundred and forty-nine patients (12-40 years) with acute pharyngotonsillitis and a positive Streptococcus A antigen immunoassay test were randomized to receive clarithromycin MR 500 mg od for 5 days or penicillin 590 mg tds for 10 days. Patients were clinically evaluated and a throat swab for culture obtained before treatment, after treatment (day 8 or 13 depending on the treatment arm) and at the follow-up visit (day 30). The main criterion for efficacy was the bacteriological cure rate after treatment. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-nine patients were considered for the intent-to-treat analysis. After treatment, clinical cure rates were 88.1% in the clarithromycin group and 92.4% in the penicillin group, and eradication rates were 82.8% and 83.6%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments. Three hundred and three (87%) patients had a positive culture before treatment, among which 29 (9.7%) were found to be clarithromycin resistant. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients were clinically and bacteriologically evaluable for per protocol analysis. After treatment, clinical cure rates were 95.2% in the clarithromycin group and 97.3% in the penicillin group, and eradication rates were 94.4% and 92%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was shown. Adverse events occurred in 46 patients of the clarithromycin group and 31 of the penicillin group (with no statistical difference). Most of them were of mild or moderate severity. CONCLUSION: Clarithromycin MR administered once daily for 5 days is as safe and effective as penicillin V administered three times a day for 10 days in the treatment of GABHS pharyngitis.