News

OBD announces completion of the pilot study and discovery of EpiSwitch™ biomarkers for NPC.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, is a significant concern in certain regions of East Asia where incidences can reach up to 30/100,000 people. Even though, the cause of increased risk for NPC in these regions is not entirely clear, there are both epigenetic and genetic factors implicated in its causation and almost all forms of NPC are associated with EBV infection. It produces few symptoms early in its course, with the result that most cases are quite advanced when detected. With this in mind, OBD carried out a pilot study on blood samples from Filipino and Singaporean populations with NPC using its EpiSwitch™ technology. Biomarkers from three loci – DLC1, DLEC-1, and RASSF1A showed particularly promising results, differentiating samples from NPC patients and controls, and will be utilised in the final design of the diagnostic test.

After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common, neurodegenerative condition affecting around 0.5-1% of the population between the ages of 65-69. OBD has evaluated the epigenetic read-outs on the loci of the genetic, epigenetic, and protein markers that had been previously identified and independently linked to Parkinson’s disease using the EpiSwitch™ platform technology. Biomarkers suitable for differentiation between PD patients and controls were identified including biomarkers in the loci highly sensitive microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), α-synuclein (SNCA) and serine/arginine repetitive matrix 2 (SRRM2). This led to a complete and accurate discrimination between the two groups and shows the utility of this test for further development of a PD diagnostic.

There are an estimated 5.4 million people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the United States and this number is expected to increase to 13.2 million by 2050. The lack of an accurate early diagnostic method to detect AD adds significant social and economic costs. Currently, $183 billion is spent yearly on Alzheimer’s associated costs.

A pilot study was set up to detect the presence of blood biomarkers for systemic epigenetic changes utilising the EpiSwitch™ platform technology. The EpiSwitch™ technology identified the presence of valid biomarkers in key signature genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, including amyloid precursor protein (APP), apolipoprotein E (APOE) and phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM).

OBD has completed a clinical trial using the EpiSwitch^TM technology, to stratify prostate cancer patients with the most aggressive prostate cancer that is at a high risk of spreading from those with less aggressive prostate cancer that can be suitably managed with less invasive treatments.This test will help physicians and patients to make better decisions about the patient’s treatment regime.