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Home Technologies Novel biomarkers to detect Venous Thrombosis without radiation exposure in elderly patients
Novel biomarkers to detect Venous Thrombosis without radiation exposure in elderly patients

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.

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