Genetic Blood Test Provide More Accurate Evaluation For Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation on December 3, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 2049412

A preliminary "proof-of-principle" trial demonstrated the feasibility of a genetic blood test to demonstrate cystic fibrosis patients' response to therapy.

Using microarray gene analysis of the blood samples, the researchers identified 10 genes that differed significantly in their expression before and after therczapy. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and additional statistical tools, the researchers identified three of those genes that most accurately correlated with a positive therapeutic response: CD36, CD64 and ADAM9. CD36 and CD64 are genes associated with cells' absorption of foreign organisms and cellular debris. ADAM9 is associated with tissue destruction that allows inflammatory cells to move through tissue. This process is also believed to contribute to permanent tissue destruction.

These genes also correlated with the results of other methods currently used to measure patients' response to treatment, such as forced expiratory volume. A larger trial with 60 CF patients are currently underway to further demonstrate the accuracy of CD36, CD64 and ADAM9 to diagnose a positive response to therapy.

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