
Novel biomarkers to detect Venous Thrombosis without radiation exposure in elderly patients
Unmet Need
Venous thrombosis/thromboembolism (VT/E), the formation of a blood clot in vein, can be a life-threatening condition with 600,000 incidences in the US per year and affecting an estimated 10 million people globally. VT/E can take two forms: deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which impairs blood flow in deep veins of the body such as in the pelvis, lower legs or thighs, and pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot breaks off, travels to the lungs, and potentially blocks blood flow to the heart. The risk of VT/E rises dramatically with age; it is 2-7 times higher in patients over 55 compared to a younger cohort, and the majority of first-time incidences occur in patients over 45 years of age. While redness, swelling and pain are common symptoms, conclusive diagnosis of VT/E relies on blood tests using the D-dimer marker combined with imaging techniques. The nonspecific nature of the D-dimer marker means that it can increase due to various factors and display elevated levels in elderly patients even without VT/E. On the other hand, imaging techniques like Computer Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) pose risks like radiation exposure and contrast-related adverse effects. There is a need for novel biomarkers of VT/E enabling accurate and safe diagnosis in elderly patients.
Technology
Duke inventors have developed a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of VT/E in elderly patients. This is intended to be developed into a diagnostic blood-based assay administered to an elderly patient deemed at high risk for VT/E or presenting symptoms. Specifically, the assay will detect deposition levels of complement C3 and C3a on red blood cells (RBCs) in response to TGF-beta1 as a VT/E biomarker. This has been demonstrated in RBCs from a healthy adult cohort between 55-68 years (n=15) and VT/E patients (n=10) showing elevated deposition of C3 and C3a proteins compared to a younger cohort (21-30 years old, n = 15). This biomarker can be used to predict the risk of thrombosis as well as the likelihood of recurring clot formation in VT/E patients.
Other Applications
This technology could also be applied to monitoring and diagnosing other thrombotic disorders or conditions related to complement C3 and C3a deposition on red blood cells.
Advantages
- Safer blood-based alternative to imaging techniques like CTPA, eliminating risks of radiation exposure.
- Improved specificity for elderly patients, reducing likelihood of false positives.
- Diagnostic and prognostic value, enabling early intervention and subsequent monitoring.