Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are related cardiovascular diseases in which common mechanisms lead to tissue calcification. Oxidative stress plays a key role in these diseases and there is also evidence that the redox state of serum albumin exerts a significant influence on these conditions. To further explore this issue, we used multimarker scores (OxyScore and AntioxyScore) to assess the global oxidative status in patients with CAVD, with and without CAD, also evaluating their plasma thiol levels. In addition, valvular interstitial cells were treated with reduced, oxidized, and native albumin to study how this protein and its modifications affect cell calcification. The differences we found suggest that oxidative status is distinct in CAVD and CAD, with differences in redox markers and thiol levels. Importantly, the in vitro interstitial cell model revealed that modified albumin affects cell calcification, accelerating this process. Hence, we show here the importance of the redox system in the development of CAVD, emphasizing the relevance of multimarker scores, while also offering evidence of how the redox state of albumin influences vascular calcification. These data highlight the relevance of understanding the overall redox processes involved in these diseases, opening the door to new studies on antioxidants as potential therapies for these patients.

Progression of aortic stenosis (AS) is aggravated by type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and kidney dysfunction (KD). Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms that triggers AS and is also disturbed among subjects with T2DM and KD. Consequently, we studied the redox homeostasis in four groups of patients, also classifying each patient based on their kidney function: control subjects, T2DM, AS, and AS+T2DM. Free reduced thiols in plasma were analyzed using a colorimetric assay, and the redox state of human serum albumin (HSA) was assessed by immunodetection and PEG-PCMal labeling. Lower levels of thiols were evident in patients with AS and AS+T2DM, while reduced and mildly oxidized HSA was more abundant in T2DM and AS+T2DM patients, reflecting less protection against oxidation. Moreover, the thiol levels decreased as KD increased in patients with AS and AS+T2DM. Differences also exist in reduced and mildly oxidized HSA between patients with normal and severely impaired kidney function, whereas AS patients with severe KD had more strongly oxidized HSA. Our results confirm an imbalance in oxidative stress associated with AS that is aggravated by the coexistence of T2DM and KD. Moreover, T2DM treatment might mitigate this dysfunction, opening the door to new therapeutic approaches for these patients.

Background/Objectives: Despite substantial progress in the management of psoriasis, evidence on as-needed dosing strategies for biologic therapies remains scarce. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a previously defined as-needed bimekizumab (BKZ) dosing regimen in a larger cohort of patients with psoriasis, as well as to identify clinical factors associated with treatment response. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of 64 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with BKZ between May 2023 and November 2025 at a specialized psoriasis unit in Madrid, Spain, were reviewed. Patients followed an off-label, as-needed dosing regimen, consisting of two initial 320 mg doses at Weeks 0 and 4, with subsequent administrations only upon loss of a PASI 90 response. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving and maintaining optimal disease control (PASI 90) over time. The duration of treatment effect was defined as the interval between the second dose and loss of PASI90 in the absence of further treatment. Safety outcomes were also evaluated. Results: A total of 59 out of 64 patients achieved a PASI 90 response after the initial two BKZ doses, and all maintained disease control with the as-needed dosing strategy over time. On average, patients received approximately one-third of the doses expected under the standard dosing regimen. The mean duration of treatment effect following the second dose was approximately 24 weeks. Systemic and bio-naïve patients presented the longest treatment effect duration under the as-needed dosing regimen. Oral candidiasis was reported in two patients and resolved without complications. Conclusions: This study reinforces previous evidence supporting the effectiveness of an as-needed BKZ dosing strategy, particularly in patients naïve to systemic and biologic therapies for psoriasis. Nevertheless, larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.