Lead Inventor: Gerard M. Turino, MD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease detection method measures degradation products of elastin found in body fluids:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S, at an estimated 120,000 deaths/year. There is no known cure for COPD, as there is no way to reverse the damage to the airways and lungs. Currently, diagnostic markers for COPD are mostly limited to non-specific inflammatory proteins such as C-reactive protein and interleukins. More specific diagnostic markers could allow for earlier detection of this disease, helping to ease the pain of many Americans.
Biomarkers desmosine and isodesmosine measured for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease detection :
Degradation of elastin by elastase enzymes in lungs can cause COPD. This technology is an improved analytical method for measuring desmosine and isodesmosine (D/I), which are degradation products of elastin found in COPD patient body fluids such as plasma, urine and sputum. Increased accuracy of this new method will lead to better disease diagnosis and monitoring, and in determining the effectiveness of therapeutic agents for COPD, as well as other respiratory diseases resulting from elastin fiber injuries.
Applications:
• Diagnosis of respiratory diseases including, but not limited to:
o COPD
o COPD with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)COPD
o COPD with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)
o Chronic bronchitis
o Emphysema
o Refractory asthma
• New biomarker technology for:
o COPD diagnosis.
o Indication of elastic tissue damage in COPD patients.
o Monitoring the progression of COPD.
o Determining effectiveness of therapeutic agents for COPD.
Advantages:
• More accurate method of diagnosing COPD and other respiratory diseases indicated above.
Patent Status: Patent Pending (WO/2008/091633) ~ see link below.
International Application No. PCT/US2011/022619
Patent Application Serial No. 13/575,346
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing
Publications:
1.
He, J., G.M. Turino, and Y.Y. Lin, Characterization of peptide fragments from lung elastin degradation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exp Lung Res. 36(9): p. 548-57.
2.
Ma, S., et al., The effect of tiotropium therapy on markers of elastin degradation in COPD. Respir Res, 2009. 10: p. 12.
3.
Ma, S., Y.Y. Lin, and G.M. Turino, Measurements of desmosine and isodesmosine by mass spectrometry in COPD. Chest, 2007. 131(5): p. 1363-71.