One of the main problems of atherosclerosis disease is that it is diagnosed too late. Primary prevention is currently based on the evaluation of modifiable risk factors according to standardized recommendations. There is a need to find new biomarkers for subclinical atherosclerosis, which are independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and scores. CNIC, UAM and IIS-FJD researchers have discovered a panel of proteins, which are accumulated in the atheroma plaques themselves even in their earliest stages of formation. Moreover, the plasma abundance levels of these proteins could be used to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. Diagnosis/biotech companies are sought for a license agreement.
One of the challenges associated to the clinical management of atherosclerotic disease is that it is diagnosed usually when the condition is very advanced and lesions are already irreversible, or when it has caused clinical signs or events in organs or territories vascularized by the diseased arteries. Non-invasive measurement by imaging methods of the subclinical atherosclerotic burden in middle-aged people has the potential to improve assessment of cardiovascular risk and might contribute to a more effective prevention of cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, it was only recommended in asymptomatic adults considered at moderate risk.
Very few studies have assessed potential plasma protein biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis. There is a need to find new biomarkers for the screening, diagnosis and/or monitoring of individuals presenting subclinical atherosclerosis. Moreover, it is particularly desirable to identify markers, which are independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and scores.
CNIC, UAM and IIS-FJD researchers have carried out the deepest and largest mass spectrometry-based plasma proteomics analysis to date in the search for atherosclerosis-related biomarkers. Firstly, they did a first analysis using a proteomics platform in samples of 444 asymptomatic middle-aged individuals and a second analysis in a 3-year follow-up, identifying a set of putative biomarker proteins whose association with atherosclerosis remained stable over time. In addition, they validated this panel in another cohorts from Europe (3000 subjects) and USA (6000 subjects). As a result, the researchers have discovered a set of protein biomarkers in plasma that are associated to subclinical atherosclerotic disease independently of each other, and of established cardiovascular risk factors.
Almost 60% of the asymptomatic individuals classified as low risk by traditional risks scores such as Framingham Heart Study 10-year (FHS) have subclinical atherosclerosis. The protein panel was able to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis even in this low risk population. The use of this biomarker panel could improve the prediction of the presence of atheroma plaques.
The Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) is a leading international research center dedicated to understanding the basis of cardiovascular health and disease and to translating this knowledge into improved patient care.
CNIC scientific area is organized into two departments focused on Basic Research and Clinical Research, fully interconnected through six multidisciplinary programs grouped into three research areas:
1 Vascular Pathophysiology
2 Myocardial Pathophysiology
3 Cell Developmental Biology
Our portfolio include biomarkers, genetic and diagnostic tools, animal models and treatments for cardiovascular, inflammatory and infectious diseases, among others. Some examples of our current projects include treatment for pulmonary hypertension, myeloproliferative diseases and trained immunity for prevention of infections. Regarding diagnosis, we are currently working on biomarkers for myocarditis, subclinical atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease.
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