Jelena Čolić

Full Citation: Colic J, Pruner I, Damjanov N, et al. Circulating extracellular vesicles as predictive biomarkers of progressive interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis-a prospective cohort study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1594201.

I am motivated by the opportunity to translate clinical challenges into research that can directly improve patients’ lives. Working with individuals affected by complex autoimmune diseases inspires me to search for better diagnostic and prognostic tools, while international collaboration continually broadens my perspective and fuels my curiosity.

Jelena Čolić, MD, PhD, works in the Department of Rheumatology at the Institute of Rheumatology in Belgrade and is a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. 

Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Čolić teaches internal medicine and rheumatology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade. She earned her medical degree in Belgrade, completed specialist training in Internal Medicine and is currently enrolled in rheumatology subspecialization. In 2023, she obtained her PhD in Epidemiology, focusing on global hemostasis and endothelial injury markers as predictors of vascular complications in systemic sclerosis.

Dr. Čolić brings together extensive clinical experience in rheumatology and cardiovascular medicine with strong expertise in translational research, integrating epidemiology, global hemostatic assays, endothelial biomarkers and advanced statistical analysis. She is deeply involved in international collaboration through EULAR, EUSTAR and EMEUNET, currently serving as Head of the EUSTAR Young Investigators Group, EMEUNET Country Liaison and co-chair of the EMEUNET Peer Mentoring Subcommittee. She also contributes to the EULAR task force developing new recommendations in systemic sclerosis. Her work has been recognized with multiple national and international awards, including top EULAR abstracts and honors for high-impact PhD research.

Identifying Early Predictors of Progressive Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis

Dr. Čolić’s research focuses on systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis. Progressive ILD is particularly associated with reduced survival and impaired quality of life, yet early stages are often clinically silent, with symptoms typically appearing only after significant lung damage has already occurred. This makes early identification of patients at risk of progression a major unmet clinical need.

In this prospective cohort study, 59 adults with systemic sclerosis were followed for up to three years. The research demonstrated that circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) – small membrane-bound particles shed by cells – may serve as predictive biomarkers of progressive ILD. Patients with ILD had higher baseline levels of all investigated EV subtypes compared with those without ILD and healthy controls. Importantly, among patients with ILD, those who later developed progressive disease showed significantly higher baseline levels of EVs, particularly ICAM1-positive EVs, compared to those with stable disease.

This is the first prospective cohort study to show that specific EV subpopulations – especially ICAM1-positive and platelet-derived EVs – are independently associated not only with the presence of ILD but also with its future progression, using longitudinal lung function and imaging criteria. These findings provide a minimally invasive, biologically informed approach to early risk stratification. Clinically, this enables earlier identification of vulnerable patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and timely initiation of antifibrotic or immunomodulatory therapies, supporting more personalized disease management and the potential prevention of irreversible pulmonary damage.

Bridging Science and Compassionate Care

Dr. Čolić decided to pursue medicine at an early age, driven by a fascination with human biology and a strong desire to improve patients’ lives. Personal experiences with serious illness in her close family, particularly cardiovascular disease, deepened her commitment to combining compassionate clinical care with scientific research. Over time, this motivation evolved into a focus on rheumatology and translational research, where early diagnosis and personalized treatment can make a meaningful difference for people living with complex autoimmune diseases.

She is motivated by translating everyday clinical challenges into research with direct patient impact and draws inspiration from international collaboration and multidisciplinary teamwork. Maintaining balance is essential to her long-term motivation: she values meaningful connections with family and friends, mentoring younger physicians and seeing how collaborative care advances outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, diving, and dancing.

Being selected as a finalist for the International Medis Awards represents a deeply meaningful milestone in her professional journey. For Dr. Čolić, it affirms years of clinical training, research dedication and international collaboration, while strengthening her commitment to advancing personalized, translational approaches that improve quality of life for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.