Latest news with #biomarkers
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Blood Test For Early Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease Matters
Test tube with blood sample for Alzheimer's disease test. Set to launch this month, a recently approved blood test to detect biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease could bring diagnosis into everyday clinical practice. In turn, this may support earlier intervention approaches that may help patients, their families and caregivers. The diagnostic, called a Lumipulse G Plasma Ratio test, is the first of its kind to get marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. Until now, diagnosing Alzheimer's has often relied on costly and invasive tools like a PET scan or lumbar puncture. The blood test could reduce the need for intrusive diagnostics. Recently approved disease-modifying therapeutics that can modestly reduce the rate of cognitive decline may amplify the importance of having a convenient test. Alzheimer's disease affects approximately seven million Americans. By 2050, that number is expected to double. The condition robs people's memory with symptoms that progressively worsen over time. These include disorientation, changes in mood and behavior, confusion about time and place and eventually difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking. The newly authorized test achieved roughly 92% accuracy in clinical trials in identifying people who had build-up of two proteins—amyloid and tau—associated with Alzheimer's disease. The ratio of these substances helps determine the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain. The diagnostic is approved for people ages 55 and up who are already showing signs of cognitive decline. For patients, this could represent an important step in identifying possible causes, but also help navigate next steps, including potential use of treatment options. The FDA approved drugs Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donenamab) in 2023 and 2024, respectively, for patients suffering from early-stage Alzheimer's disease. These therapeutics can slow disease progression, albeit modestly. They work by removing a sticky protein, beta amyloid plaque, from the brain. Tau 'tangles' are also thought to contribute to Alzheimer's. And in a phase 3 trial, Kisunla was shown to be effective at clearing both beta amyloid and tau. While treatments can lessen the speed at which cognitive and functional decline, persistent safety worries have plagued the medicines, too. These were highlighted, for instance, when the FDA initially denied approval of Kisunla. The agency questioned the drug's long-term safety, noting a relatively higher rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities that can lead to brain hemorrhage and swelling. Similar potentially dangerous side effects have also occurred in patients taking Leqembi. The cost of the Lumipulse test hasn't been publicly disclosed. Nor is there information regarding whether it will be covered by medical insurance. Presumably it will be considerably less costly per unit than, say, a brain scan. The cost of a dose of Amyvid (florbetapir F 18) used in PET scans to detect amyloid plaque accumulation, for example, is around $1,600 per dose. And the total cost, including use of a PET scanner and overhead, can be several thousand more. Medicare is obligated to cover a limited number of imaging tests for certain patients. When deciding upon coverage parameters for the new blood diagnostic, insurers such as Medicare will likely take into account not only the cost per unit but also the fact that a potentially much greater number of people may take the test. The blood test isn't without potential issues. To illustrate, a positive test doesn't prove someone has Alzheimer's. And so, the risk of false positives exists. Moreover, as with other tests, the results could trigger anxiety and stigma. Perhaps more importantly, Alzheimer's is more complex than the mere existence of amyloid plaque in a person's brain. While this may be a necessary condition of the disease, it is not a sufficient one. Genetics and other issues such as metabolic disease or even a virus may also play roles.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Seer's Proteograph Platform Enables Unprecedented 20,000-Sample Proteomics Study with Korea University to Develop AI-Driven Diagnostics for Cancers in Young Adults
First-of-its-kind study will use Seer's next-generation workflow to identify early-onset cancer biomarkers and power deep, unbiased mass spectrometry-based proteomics Seer's new Proteograph ONE Assay to accelerate analysis and reduce costs, making large-scale studies feasible REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER), the pioneer and trusted partner for deep, unbiased proteomic insights, and Korea University, a leading research institution committed to innovation and global impact, today announced the launch of a population-level study aimed at identifying novel blood-based biomarkers that could lead to cancer diagnostics for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Relying on Seer's newly launched Proteograph® ONE Assay and SP200 Automation Instrument along with the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Astral™ mass spectrometer, this is the first large-scale plasma proteomics initiative of its kind to leverage mass spectrometry and AI-driven analytics to enhance early cancer detection and improve patient outcomes. Seer's latest platform advances will allow deep, unbiased proteomic analysis of 20,000 plasma samples in less time and cost than has ever before been possible. These will include samples from 15,000 cancer patients and 5,000 healthy patients that will serve as controls, sourced from Korea's leading cancer institutions: Seoul National University Hospital, the National Cancer Center, and Samsung Medical Center. The three-year study is funded by the K-Health MIRAE initiative under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, which supports ambitious, high-impact health research. 'We carefully evaluated multiple approaches to expand the dynamic range of the plasma proteome—including some attempting to replicate Seer's Proteograph platform—and Seer's assay stood out as the only solution capable of delivering the depth, scale, and, critically, reproducibility needed for this ambitious study,' said Professor Sang-Won Lee at the Center of Proteogenome Research (CPGR) of Korea University. 'The unique combination of Seer's latest platform and CPGR's proprietary dual online liquid chromatography technology gives us the ability to conduct population-scale research that would otherwise be prohibitively complex and slow. This collaboration represents a major step toward developing AI-powered diagnostics that could fundamentally improve how we detect and treat cancer in younger adults.' By leveraging the power of deep proteomic analysis, this study aims to catalyze a new wave of diagnostics that are more sensitive, scalable, and personalized—ultimately driving earlier interventions and improving survival outcomes in young adult cancer patients worldwide. Transformational Technology for Population-Scale Proteomics At the heart of the study is Seer's Proteograph ONE workflow, introduced this week at the 2025 American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Conference in Baltimore, MD. The next-generation system dramatically increases scale and efficiency in proteomic analysis by: 'Korea University selected Seer's new Proteograph ONE workflow as the foundation for this critical and forward-looking initiative so that they can unlock the full potential of proteomics in population-scale research,' said Omid Farokhzad, Chair and CEO of Seer. 'We're excited to help define a new generation of diagnostics that can transform how diseases like cancer are detected and managed around the world.' The study also employs Thermo Scientific's Orbitrap Astral MS—the industry's leading mass spectrometer for proteomic research. The Proteograph offerings combined with the Orbitrap Astral MS provide a deep, full-range plasma proteome analysis at faster speeds to enable critical breakthrough discoveries in large-population studies. 'When it comes to plasma proteomics studies such as this, the Orbitrap Astral MS and Proteograph ONE workflow provide a powerful solution to drive groundbreaking research,' said Dan Shine, senior vice president and president of analytical instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific. 'We're proud to be a part of initiatives like this to enable earlier detection and help progress precision medicine.' The next-generation offerings mark a significant evolution of the Proteograph Product Suite, delivering the scale, speed, and efficiency required to make population-level proteomics both practical and accessible. The collaboration with Korea University exemplifies the real-world impact of this technology—demonstrating how deep, unbiased proteomic insights powered by Seer's platform can now inform large-scale studies, accelerate biomarker discovery, and drive the development of AI-enabled diagnostics that redefine precision medicine. About Seer, Inc. Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER) sets the standard in deep, unbiased proteomics—delivering insights with a scale, speed, precision, and reproducibility previously unattainable. Seer's Proteograph Product Suite uniquely integrates proprietary engineered nanoparticles, streamlined automation instrumentation, optimized consumables, and advanced analytical software to solve challenges conventional methods have failed to overcome. Traditional proteomic technologies have struggled with inconsistent data, limited throughput, and prohibitive complexity, but Seer's robust and scalable workflow consistently reveals biological insights that others cannot. Seer's products are for research use only and are not intended for diagnostic procedures. For more information about Seer's differentiated approach and ongoing leadership in proteomics, visit Media Contact: Consort Partners [email protected] Investor Contact: Carrie Mendivil [email protected]
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Seer's Proteograph Platform Enables Unprecedented 20,000-Sample Proteomics Study with Korea University to Develop AI-Driven Diagnostics for Cancers in Young Adults
First-of-its-kind study will use Seer's next-generation workflow to identify early-onset cancer biomarkers and power deep, unbiased mass spectrometry-based proteomics Seer's new Proteograph ONE Assay to accelerate analysis and reduce costs, making large-scale studies feasible REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER), the pioneer and trusted partner for deep, unbiased proteomic insights, and Korea University, a leading research institution committed to innovation and global impact, today announced the launch of a population-level study aimed at identifying novel blood-based biomarkers that could lead to cancer diagnostics for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Relying on Seer's newly launched Proteograph® ONE Assay and SP200 Automation Instrument along with the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Astral™ mass spectrometer, this is the first large-scale plasma proteomics initiative of its kind to leverage mass spectrometry and AI-driven analytics to enhance early cancer detection and improve patient outcomes. Seer's latest platform advances will allow deep, unbiased proteomic analysis of 20,000 plasma samples in less time and cost than has ever before been possible. These will include samples from 15,000 cancer patients and 5,000 healthy patients that will serve as controls, sourced from Korea's leading cancer institutions: Seoul National University Hospital, the National Cancer Center, and Samsung Medical Center. The three-year study is funded by the K-Health MIRAE initiative under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, which supports ambitious, high-impact health research. 'We carefully evaluated multiple approaches to expand the dynamic range of the plasma proteome—including some attempting to replicate Seer's Proteograph platform—and Seer's assay stood out as the only solution capable of delivering the depth, scale, and, critically, reproducibility needed for this ambitious study,' said Professor Sang-Won Lee at the Center of Proteogenome Research (CPGR) of Korea University. 'The unique combination of Seer's latest platform and CPGR's proprietary dual online liquid chromatography technology gives us the ability to conduct population-scale research that would otherwise be prohibitively complex and slow. This collaboration represents a major step toward developing AI-powered diagnostics that could fundamentally improve how we detect and treat cancer in younger adults.' By leveraging the power of deep proteomic analysis, this study aims to catalyze a new wave of diagnostics that are more sensitive, scalable, and personalized—ultimately driving earlier interventions and improving survival outcomes in young adult cancer patients worldwide. Transformational Technology for Population-Scale Proteomics At the heart of the study is Seer's Proteograph ONE workflow, introduced this week at the 2025 American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Conference in Baltimore, MD. The next-generation system dramatically increases scale and efficiency in proteomic analysis by: Processing 1,000+ samples per week per instrument Requiring only a single mass spectrometry injection per sample Completing 80-sample batches with <5 hours automated runtime Identifying up to 10 times more proteins than conventional mass spectrometry methods 'Korea University selected Seer's new Proteograph ONE workflow as the foundation for this critical and forward-looking initiative so that they can unlock the full potential of proteomics in population-scale research,' said Omid Farokhzad, Chair and CEO of Seer. 'We're excited to help define a new generation of diagnostics that can transform how diseases like cancer are detected and managed around the world.' The study also employs Thermo Scientific's Orbitrap Astral MS—the industry's leading mass spectrometer for proteomic research. The Proteograph offerings combined with the Orbitrap Astral MS provide a deep, full-range plasma proteome analysis at faster speeds to enable critical breakthrough discoveries in large-population studies. 'When it comes to plasma proteomics studies such as this, the Orbitrap Astral MS and Proteograph ONE workflow provide a powerful solution to drive groundbreaking research,' said Dan Shine, senior vice president and president of analytical instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific. 'We're proud to be a part of initiatives like this to enable earlier detection and help progress precision medicine.' The next-generation offerings mark a significant evolution of the Proteograph Product Suite, delivering the scale, speed, and efficiency required to make population-level proteomics both practical and accessible. The collaboration with Korea University exemplifies the real-world impact of this technology—demonstrating how deep, unbiased proteomic insights powered by Seer's platform can now inform large-scale studies, accelerate biomarker discovery, and drive the development of AI-enabled diagnostics that redefine precision medicine. About Seer, Inc. Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER) sets the standard in deep, unbiased proteomics—delivering insights with a scale, speed, precision, and reproducibility previously unattainable. Seer's Proteograph Product Suite uniquely integrates proprietary engineered nanoparticles, streamlined automation instrumentation, optimized consumables, and advanced analytical software to solve challenges conventional methods have failed to overcome. Traditional proteomic technologies have struggled with inconsistent data, limited throughput, and prohibitive complexity, but Seer's robust and scalable workflow consistently reveals biological insights that others cannot. Seer's products are for research use only and are not intended for diagnostic procedures. For more information about Seer's differentiated approach and ongoing leadership in proteomics, visit Media Contact:Consort Partnerspr@ Investor Contact:Carrie Mendivilinvestor@ in to access your portfolio
Fox News
3 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
What your blood quietly reveals about your eating habits
Blood and urine tests have been found to detect the amount of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) a person eats, according to new research. Using machine learning, scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified hundreds of metabolites (molecules produced during metabolism) that correlated with processed food intake. The team developed a "biomarker score" that predicts ultraprocessed food intake based on metabolite measurements in blood and urine, according to Erikka Loftfield, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the National Cancer Institute in Maryland. The researchers drew baseline data from 718 older adults who provided urine and blood samples and reported their dietary habits over a 12-month period, as detailed in an NIH press release. Next, they conducted a small clinical trial of 20 adults. For two weeks, the group ate a diet high in ultraprocessed foods, and for another two weeks they ate a diet with no UPFs. "In our study, we found that hundreds of serum and urine metabolites were correlated with percentage energy from ultraprocessed food intake," Loftfield told Fox News Digital. The findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine. Large-scale studies investigating the health risks of ultraprocessed foods often rely on self-reported dietary questionnaires, which can be prone to errors, per the NIH. The new blood and urine test helps to reduce human error by using objective biomarkers, a growing area of interest among researchers. Loftfield added, "It was surprising to find that UPF-correlated metabolites are involved in numerous and diverse biological pathways, underscoring the complex impact of diet on the metabolome." Ultraprocessed foods are defined as "ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat, industrially manufactured products, typically high in calories and low in essential nutrients," according to the NIH. Chronic diseases, obesity and various forms of cancer have been linked to diets that are heavy in UPFs. Despite promising results, the researchers emphasized that the new method will require further validation before broader use. Since the current trial focused mainly on older adults, more research is needed across various age groups and diets, the experts said. "Metabolite scores should be evaluated and improved in populations with different diets and a wide range of UPF intake," Loftfield acknowledged. This method could potentially be used in future research to link the consumption of processed foods with chronic diseases, according to the researchers. For more Health articles, visit "For individuals concerned about ultraprocessed food intake, one practical recommendation is to use 'nutrition facts' labels to avoid foods high in added sugars, saturated fat and sodium, as this can limit UPF intake and align with robust scientific research on diet and health," Loftfield suggested.
Medical News Today
4 days ago
- General
- Medical News Today
Is appendicitis hereditary? Understanding the genetics
Is it hereditary? Other causes Risk factors Contacting a doctor Summary Research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the development of appendicitis. Genetic variations may affect the risk and severity of appendicitis. Appendicitis is the medical term for inflammation of the appendix — a small, tube-shaped organ attached to the large intestine. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to this condition. Appendicitis symptoms can come on suddenly and may quickly become severe. Without immediate treatment, the condition can be life threatening. Christine La/Stocksy The researchers suggest certain genetic variations may play a role in determining an individual's appendicitis risk and severity. Scientists refer to these genetic variations as 'single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)' or 'snips.' According to the article, the snips HLX and CTSB appear to play a causal role in the development of appendicitis. These snips correlate with increased levels of an inflammatory biomarker called C-reactive protein (CRP). People with appendicitis often have higher levels of CRP in their blood. These findings suggest that certain genetic variations can make the appendix more susceptible to inflammation, increasing the risk of appendicitis. Similarly, a 2019 article associated appendicitis risk with genetic variation in genes that control cytokine production. Cytokines are proteins that help to control inflammation in the body, and one of their roles is to regulate CRP production. Overall, these findings suggest that certain variations in the genes that control inflammation can make someone more or less susceptible to appendicitis. However, more research may be necessary to fully understand this relationship. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), other possible causes of appendicitis include : hardened stool or growths that block the opening of the appendix enlarged tissue in the wall of the appendix due to an infection within the digestive tract or elsewhere in the body inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) However, they note that multiple factors can contribute to appendicitis and the cause is not often clear. Appendicitis occurs most often in people between the ages of 5 and 45 years. There is a slightly higher incidence of male appendicitis than female appendicitis. However, it can affect anyone, regardless of their sex, and the difference in prevalence among those of different sexes is not clinically significant. A 2023 observational study also suggests that the following dietary and lifestyle factors may increase the risk of appendicitis: However, the study's authors note that more research is necessary. As the NIDDK explains, appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment. Delaying treatment can cause the appendix to rupture, which can be life threatening. Around 2% of appendicitis cases progress to rupture around 36 hours from the onset of symptoms. This figure increases by around 5% for each additional 12 hours that pass without treatment. Anyone with symptoms of appendicitis should see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately to ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. According to the NIDDK , the most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, which may: come on suddenly begin near the belly button and spread to the lower-right part of the abdomen worsen with movement, or with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing worsen within a matter of hours be severe, and feel different to any other type of pain Other possible symptoms of appendicitis include: Research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the development of appendicitis. Genetic variations in the genes that help to control inflammation may increase the risk of appendicitis in some cases. These genetic variants can pass from parents to offspring. As such, having a family history of appendicitis can increase a person's susceptibility to the disease. Anyone with symptoms of appendicitis should contact a doctor or attend their local accident and emergency department immediately. Without treatment, appendicitis can progress to a ruptured appendix, which can be fatal. Genetics GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
