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NOVEL: HIGHLY SENSITIVE DIAGNOSTIC FOR NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Technology Benefits

This novel system presents significant advantages over current technology: Non-invasive method of detecting NAFLD Accurate staging and grading of NAFLD (NASH v SS) Single scoring system with the potential to replace biopsy Cost-effective system suitable for application in a large scale population Potential to allow early targeted therapy to a disease cohort Potential in the evaluation of new therapeutic agentsUsing proteomic techniques to remove any bias toward biomarker selection a novel non-invasive scoring algorithm was developed. The system has several notable design features: Designed to detect NASH from a control or SS population Highly sensitive system Based on 19 validated biomarkersExisting biomarker tests have been shown to be entirely ineffective in differentiating NASH from control or SS. By diagnosing NASH before significant fibrosis ensues, targeted therapies can be applied to those most at risk of disease progression.

Technology Application

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 25% of the Western population and is increasing in prevalence due to association with obesity and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD exists as a spectrum of disease ranging from the more benign Simple Steatosis (SS) to the more aggressive Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). The current gold standard diagnostic tool is liver biopsy, yet this is associated with significant morbidity and mortality issues, as well as sampling and reporting errors. There exists an urgent unmet need for the development of non-invasive methods of staging and grading NAFLD. This would allow early targeted therapy to the group most at risk of disease progression.Further development of this diagnostic tool would allow large populations to be easily and cost-effectively screened for the presence of NASH and appropriate therapy implemented. The panel of markers could also have utility as confirmation of therapeutic efficacy, and could be developed as surrogate markers for end points in the evaluation of new therapeutic agents.

Detailed Technology Description

Researchers at the University of Dundee have performed the largest systemic in-depth investigation of the serum proteome of NAFLD. This has led to the identification and validation of a set of novel biomarkers which are differentially expressed between disease states. The biomarkers have been used as the basis for a powerful, proprietary diagnostic system capable of diagnosis, staging and grading of NAFLD. The system presents significant advantages over current technology: Non-invasive method of detecting NAFLD Accurate staging and grading of NAFLD (NASH v SS) Single scoring system with the potential to replace biopsy Cost-effective system suitable for application in a large scale population Potential to allow early targeted therapy to a disease cohort Potential in the evaluation of new therapeutic agentsIdentification and validation of novel markers of NAFLDBased on the assumption that a diffuse disease of an organ of the mass and blood flow of the liver would have an effect on the serum proteome, a large systemic in-depth investigation of NAFLD has been carried out using state of the art proteomic technologies. A significant number of differentially expressed proteins between disease states was identified, the bulk of which were surprising and their potential role in NAFLD unsuspected.DIAGNOSTIC TOOLValidation of the proteins was performed and a novel set of biomarkers identified to form the basis of a diagnostic test for NAFLD. The markers are capable of distinguishing disease state from control, SS from NASH, and fibrosis grade.

Supplementary Information

Inventor: Scharf, Michael E. | Boucias, Drion G. | Tartar, Aurelien | Coy, Monique R. | Zhou, Xuguo | Salem, Tamer Ibrahim Zaki | Jadhao, Sanjay B. | Wheeler, Marsha M.
Priority Number: US8445240B2
IPC Current: C12P001902 | C07H002102 | C12N000900 | C12P000706
US Class: 435105 | 435161 | 435183 | 5360231
Assignee Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation Inc.inesville
Title: Termite enzymes and uses thereof for in vitro conversion of lignin-containing materials to fermentable products
Usefulness: Termite enzymes and uses thereof for in vitro conversion of lignin-containing materials to fermentable products
Summary: The method is useful for converting a lignified plant material to a fermentable product and the system is useful for producing a fermentable product from a lignified plant material (all claimed).
Novelty: Converting lignified plant material to fermentable product by incubating a series of isolated polypeptides of a termite that cooperates to convert a plant lignocellulose to a fermentable product, with a source of lignified plant material

Industry

Chemical/Material

Sub Category

Organic Chemical

*Abstract

Researchers at the University of Dundee have developed a novel, highly sensitive diagnostic tool for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Capable of distinguishing between the disease states of NAFLD, the system presents a unique opportunity to allow early intervention and monitoring of disease state.

Country/Region

USA