ICVS is a contributing partner in the launch of GALActIC, a pioneering European Union research project aimed at tackling Influenza-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IAPA). The study, led by a European consortium, is funded by the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed) and promises to pave the way for more effective identification and treatment of this severe condition.
IAPA affects critically ill influenza patients and has a staggering 50% mortality rate. Delayed diagnosis and suboptimal antifungal treatments contribute to these dire outcomes, making early identification of high-risk patients essential for improving survival rates. The GALActIC study will focus on validating genetic biomarkers, specifically in the LGALS3 gene, as indicators of disease risk and progression, to help target personalized antifungal prophylaxis.
This multicentre study spans several European countries, with key contributions from hospitals and universities in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and France. Among the participants, researchers from the Carvalho and Cunha labs of the i3D Research Team at ICVS will play a pivotal role. They will conduct genetic testing to assess the functional and clinical relevance of galectin-3, aiming to refine patient stratification for antifungal treatments.
From left to right: Inês Caldeira, Agostinho Carvalho, Inês Pereira, Samuel Gonçalves, Cristina Cunha (photo by João Dias ICVS/EM)
The study is a comprehensive three-year project, utilizing both prospective and retrospective patient data. Blood, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples will be collected for analysis, with genetic testing carried out in Braga, Portugal, and additional multi-omics analyses, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, conducted at the University of Graz.
The GALActIC study represents a significant step forward in personalized medicine, targeting high-risk IAPA patients with precision interventions. By improving early detection and treatment, the study aims not only to reduce mortality rates but also to optimize healthcare resource use, ultimately advancing the fight against IAPA.
