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Nordic Bioscience digest of the Best of 2023 publication series
2023 – a year of a series of scientific successes for Nordic! Our scientific teams have worked incredibly hard to advance our technologies to better benefit patients in need. With close to 60 publications, we averaged at least 5 articles per month – just like last year. We have put together the best of 2023 for you from our various focal points—in no particular order. We invite you to browse and read according to your interests!
New biomarkers are crucial for identifying fast-progressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. We evaluated the serological value of two vimentin neo-epitopes, VIM and VICM, in IPF.
While both originate from the same fragment, VIM measures vimentin degradation, and VICM reflects macrophage activity through citrullination. Notably, unlike VIM, VICM demonstrated significant prognostic value, effectively distinguishing fast-progressing from non-progressing IPF patients at diagnosis.
This paper highlights the potential of biomarkers to expedite drug development, emphasizing their role as early indicators for improved clinical response, enhanced patient safety, and personalized medicine.
We explore lessons learned by the EU IMI2-funded LITMUS consortium in their interactions with regulatory agencies, underscoring the significance of sharing such knowledge with the scientific community to increase the likelihood of qualifying relevant biomarkers and facilitating common understanding and support in decision-making frameworks.
This publication introduces a novel approach for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by identifying a "high-risk, high-fibrogenesis" patient endotype using collagen formation biomarkers.
Characterized by elevated fibroblast activity, this endotype responds well to a very low-calorie diet, showing a significant reduction in collagen fibrogenesis with weight loss. Quantifying fibrogenesis biomarkers allows predicting treatment response at baseline.
First publication highlight:
Skin tissue remodeling is vital for maintaining homeostasis but can be disrupted in conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Type VI collagen is crucial for ECM assembly in human dermal fibroblasts.
Specific fragments of type VI collagen can serve as blood biomarkers for dermatological conditions. Quantifying the levels of type VI collagen inpatients with dermatological disorders could prove to be a valuable tool for both patient identification and drug development.
Second publication highlight:
The pathogenesis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) involves tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced joint inflammation. However, choosing optimal treatments for axSpA in a timely and non-invasive manner remains a challenge in clinical practice.
Blood-based biomarkers present a cost-effective and accessible solution. Exploring ECM biomarkers as potential pharmaco-dynamic markers may aid in predicting and monitoring TNF-α inhibitor treatment responses in axSpA patients. This research also sheds light on the development of new effective therapeutic strategies.
Recent evidence suggests Empagliflozin may have anti-fibrotic effects, notably reducing type I and III collagen (PINP and PRO-C3). Lower levels of type VI collagen (PRO-C6) are associated with milder heart failure outcomes but increased risks of hospitalization, mortality, and renal complications.
Accurate assessment of extracellular matrix remodeling is crucial for precise heart failure patient endotype identification. Other studies reveal a 12.4% and 9.2% increase in cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk per 1 ng/ml rise in PRO-C6.
Our study explores tumor collagen quantity and quality, emphasizing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their role in tumor fibrosis. We connect serological collagen biomarkers to specific CAF subtypes within the tumor microenvironment, building on our FDA-supported letter of support for the initial serological biomarker for tumor fibrosis.
The unique collagen profiles linked to CAF subtypes present potential avenues for discovering new cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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