Preface
We are pleased to welcome all participants to the 14th C1-inhibitor Deficiency & Angioedema Workshop.
The aim of the Workshop is to present new research findings related to rare bradykinin-mediated angioedema disorders. These include conditions caused by hereditary or acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency, as well as those with a hereditary background but normal C1-inhibitor levels. This year, a record number of abstracts will be presented over the four-day program, including 49 oral and 58 poster presentations. In addition to previously unpublished findings, five outstanding keynote lectures will also be delivered.
On the opening afternoon, Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó will give a special lecture on the development of the mRNA vaccine, sharing all the insights gained from the long and persistent journey that led to the production of life-saving mRNA-based vaccines.
The upcoming days of the program are also filled with a wealth of engaging topics. Of theoretical significance is the presentation by Stephen Thiel on ITIH4 (Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4), a regulator of plasma proteolytic systems. ITIH4 may play a regulatory role in the complement-kallikrein system, especially under conditions where C1-inhibitor is absent or dysfunctional.
Monoclonal antibody-based therapies are increasingly used to prevent symptoms in angioedema disorders. However, the nature of these antibodies, including how they are dispersed, processed, and degraded within the body, is rarely discussed among prescribing specialists. László Cervenak will provide a comprehensive overview on this topic.
As Anastasios Germenis will highlight, the diagnosis of specific types of HAE with normal C1-inhibitor (HAE-nC1-INH) can only be confirmed by identifying a known pathogenic variant in one of the genes associated with the disease. His presentation will offer guidance on how to interpret and apply genetic results.
Bruce Zuraw will summarize key clinical considerations that practicing physicians must keep in mind when prescribing preventive therapies developed through clinical trials.
The Workshop also serves as an ideal platform to develop international consensus documents or guidelines based on thoroughly prepared collaborative work. This year, we will engage participants in developing professional recommendations for the modern management of hereditary angioedema in children.
The 14th C1-inhibitor Deficiency & Angioedema Workshop is also a venue for celebration. It is a tradition to honor a distinguished professional with the ‘For HAE Patients’ Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to improving the lives of patients.
This year’s honoree is Laurence Bouillet, Clinical Director of the Internal Medicine/Clinical Immunology Unit at the University of Grenoble and Vice President of the French National Society of Internal Medicine. Throughout her career, she has gained international recognition not only for her research but also for leading France’s National Reference Center for Angioedema (CREAK).
A posthumous ‘For HAE Patients’ Award is presented in memory of Marcus Maurer, who passed away unexpectedly in 2024. He was Professor of Dermatology and Allergy, and Executive Director of the Institute of Allergology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. His pioneering work, though cut short, created a lasting legacy, and his colleagues and students continue his initiatives.
On the final day of the Workshop, we will recognize outstanding young researchers. An independent jury chaired by Stephen Betschel will award the ‘Grant for Young Investigator’ and the accompanying financial prize to the four best oral and poster presenters.
To help navigate the vast amount of information shared during the four days, Avner Reshef will provide a focused overview of the most significant messages intended to serve as key takeaways for the audience.
To ensure lasting access to the content, all abstracts will be published in complete form in a special issue of the open-access journal Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, available later this year.
Many of our sponsors will be represented at the Workshop in various forms: BioCryst, CSL Behring, Kalvista, Takeda, Otsuka, Pharming, Pharvaris, Astria, Intellia. Their generous support enables us to provide a high-quality environment for productive work and helps fund both the ‘For HAE Patients’ Awards and the ‘Grant for Young Investigator’ prizes. We are sincerely grateful for their contributions.
The Workshop is organized by our professional partner, Diamond Congress Ltd. We are thankful for their smooth and personalized service.
Henriette Farkas
Chair of the 14th C1-inhibitor Deficiency and Angioedema Workshop
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