Center of Excellence in Immunology (CIS-UB)

The CIS-UB (‘Immunology Clinic run by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital at the University of Barcelona’) is a joint initiative by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital (the main pediatric hospital in Spain), Hospital Clinic Barcelona (a leader in adult healthcare), and the University of Barcelona (one of the most prestigious in the country, leading the field of teaching and biomedical research).

This strategic partnership allows for a comprehensive approach to immune diseases, both in the adult and pediatric population. It takes a transversal approach, from basic research and study phases through to clinical applications and teaching. Its primary objective is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of immune diseases using new therapies and with the help of high-level specialists

. The CIS-UB promotes better coordination between healthcare, research and education. Through shared units and laboratories, the production of advanced therapies, and participation in international networks, this partnership consolidates Barcelona as a true point of reference in the use of immunotherapy for managing autoimmune, autoinflammatory, allergic, oncological and immunodeficiency diseases. In addition, it serves as a space to train new medical professionals and researchers.

Objectives

The CIS-UB is a FOCIS Center of Excellence (FCE) in Immunology, and it has four main priorities:

• Improving healthcare for patients with immune diseases (immunodeficiency, allergies and hypersensitivities, autoinflammation and autoimmunity) and cancer from infancy through to adulthood – from genetic studies to functional diagnosis and clinical treatment.
• Studying immune system responses: using advanced laboratory tests and cellular studies applied to immunodeficiencies, autoinflammation, autoimmunity, allergies, infections, immune neurological disorders and cancer, among others.
• Guaranteeing immune compatibility for transplants (solid organs and hematopoietic stem cells) through high-resolution HLA typing and other histocompatibility studies, as well as post-transplant monitoring of immune reconstitution.
• Developing and monitoring new forms of immunotherapy—such as tolerance induction for allergies, the use of small molecule-based and biological immunomodulators in immune-mediated diseases, gene therapy and other advanced therapies (such as CAR-T and other modified lymphocyte treatments)—to treat oncohematological diseases and other immune disorders.

Partner centers

The CIS-UB brings together three leading institutions to improve diagnosis, treatment and research into immune diseases:

• The SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital: The main pediatric healthcare facility in Spain and an international reference center. The Clinical Immunology and Allergology Department sees more than 15,000 patients per year, applying innovative immunotherapy treatments with high success rates. The Rheumatology Department is the largest in the country and is a reference center for pediatric autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Both departments are XUEC, CSUR, ERN-RITA and ERN-ReCONNET accredited reference centres in primary immunodeficiencies, autoinflammatory diseases, and systemic and rheumatological autoimmune disease, as well as leaders in Spain for handling complex allergic diseases. The CAR-T Unit and the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB) are leading facilities in Spain for the treatment of oncological disease. The Advanced Therapies Platform is a single area consisting of four cleanrooms and an expert team in advanced therapy production. In addition, the SJD Research Institute promotes research and innovation through Study Groups for Immune Dysfunction Diseases in Children (GEMDIP), allergic diseases in infancy and adolescence, and pediatric cancer.
• Hospital Clinic Barcelona: It is an international reference center for healthcare provision, research and education, recognised among the best hospitals worldwide. With more than 8,000 staff and a huge volume of clinical and analytical activity, its Immunology Department is of particular note, being the largest in Spain. This department leads research and healthcare provision for immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, and transplant cases, and is a pioneer in the production of advanced therapies like CAR-T cell therapy – the first in Europe.
• University of Barcelona: Founded in 1450 and with more than 60,000 students and 5,000 staff, this is one of the largest, most prestigious academic institutions in Spain. Internationally recognised in the field of biomedicine—coming in at 14 in the QS World University Ranking 2022—the UB plays both an academic and scientific role in the CIS-UB, integrating teaching, research and specialist education in immunology.