Month: April 2025

Investigating NordicPRO-C3™ as a Prognostic Biomarker in NSCLC Patients

Posted on by Claire Hornung

Fibroblast derived type III collagen pro-peptides (PRO-C3) in plasma are associated with outcome for patients with NSCLC treated with anti-PD1 plus chemotherapy

Introduction

Tumor fibrosis is essential for defining outcome of patients with various solid tumors including lung cancer. The cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) activation and increased deposition of type III collagen leads to immune exclusion and high interstitial pressure in the tumor microenvironment. Recently, FDA issued a Letter-of-Support to encourage use of the non-invasive tumor fibrosis biomarker nordicPRO-C3™ (type III collagen pro-peptides) in patients with solid tumors.

In thi study we investigate nordicPRO-C3™ as a prognostic biomarker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anti-PD1 + chemotherapy.

Poster

AACR2025 nordicPRO-C3™ in NSLC patients_Nordic BioscienceDownload

Conclusion

Type III collagen pro-peptides (nordicPRO-C3™) is produced by activated lung CAFs and is a surrogate of fibrogenesis. High nordicPRO-C3™ levels in pre-treatment plasma associate with poor outcome for patients with NSCLC treated with anti-PD1 plus chemotherapy. These findings suggest that quantifying tumor fibrosis is important for prognostication of patients with lung cancer.

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    Obesity – A Key Driver in Osteoarthritis

    Posted on by Claire Hornung

    Introduction

    Obesity contributes to several comorbidities, including osteoarthritis (OA), which lowers quality of life due to joint pain and reduced function. Obesity worsens OA symptoms by increasing mechanical load and stress in addition to the elevated general inflammatory state. Moreover, this inflammatory drive is the prime suspect in the observed increased OA in non-weight-bearing joints of patients with obesity, such as the hands, suggesting systemic mechanisms are involved. Inflammatory mediators released by adipose tissue, including leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP), may contribute to heightened pain sensitivity and reduced pain thresholds in individuals with obesity.

    In this study we aimed to investigate the association between the painful experience and the body mass indices of patients at baseline in a previous phase III clinical trial. Furthermore, we evaluated the change in painful experience resulting from weight loss or gain after 2 years, as measured in the last follow-up of the clinical trial.

    Poster

    OARSI2025 Obesity in OA_Nordic BioscienceDownload

    Conclusion

    These studies indicate that increased body weight is associated with increased OA pain which is further confirmed by reduce patient-reported obesity-related OA pain upon undergoing weight loss.

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      Serum Immunoassays Identify CRTAC1 as A Biomarker of Osteoarthritis

      Posted on by Claire Hornung

      Serum immunoassays identify cartilage acidic protein (CRTAC1) as a biomarker of osteoarthritis

      Introduction

      Cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1), a glycosylated extracellular matrix protein, is primarily produced by chondrocytes in articular cartilage. Recent studies have indicated that circulating CRTAC1 levels are associated with the severity and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, CRTAC1 levels were measured using proteomic platforms, highlighting the need for easily quantifiable and reliable assays.

      Poster

      OARSI 2025 CRTAC1_Nordic BioscienceDownload

      Conclusion

      This study validated  CRTAC1 as a promising new biomarker for OA, utilizing easily quantifiable serum immunoassays. Differences in diagnostic performance between the total and neo-epitope CRTAC1 assays were observed. In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the role of CRTAC1 and its degradation process in Osteoarthritis.

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        World Parkinson’s Day: Biomarkers in Parkinson’s Disease

        Posted on by Claire Hornung

        April 11th marks World Parkinson’s Day, which aims to spread awareness for the millions of patients with Parkinson’s.

        Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disease and there currently is no cure. One of the main challenges in developing effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease is the need to diagnose patients early, identify those with rapid disease progression, and monitor treatment response through reliable indicators.

        Nordic Bioscience has developed a blood-based biomarker targeting a pathological fragment of alpha-synuclein cleaved by Calpain-1, which aggregates into fibrils as part of the disease process. This biomarker has been shown to be upregulated in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Since this pathological fragment is generated before fibril aggregation occurs, we can identify patients early.

        In our paper published in Scientific Reports, we describe the development and potential of this biomarker in two clinical cohorts of patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

        Monitoring Therapeutic Responses in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)

        Posted on by Claire Hornung

        It can be a cumbersome clinical challenge to monitor subtle changes in collagen turnover in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), a complex autoimmune condition marked by skin and organ fibrosis.

        We are excited to share our latest open access paper in Arthritis Research & Therapy, produced in collaboration with Dr. Satoshi Kubo. Our study reveals that although type VII collagen—an essential anchoring fibril in the skin’s basement membrane—is not directly linked to skin stiffness, its turnover is significantly elevated in SSc, even when disease activity appears low.

        In this study, we have shown that the dynamics of type VII collagen remodeling can be quantified using the serological biomarker PRO-C7, measuring type VII collagen formation, and it’s counterpart measuring collagen degradation, C7M. By tracking these biomarkers, clinicians can identify patients with hidden yet active collagen turnover, allowing for more personalized treatment strategies and better monitoring of therapeutic responses.

        Article: Accelerated Type VII collagen turnover in systemic sclerosis patients, reflected by serological neo-epitope fragment biomarkers

        Developing a Blood-Based Biomarker for the Early Diagnosis of PD

        Posted on by Claire Hornung

        Developing a blood-based biomarker targeting α-synuclein fragments for the early diagnosis of PD

        Introduction

        Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects millions worldwide and currently has no cure. Treatments focus only on managing symptoms, explaining why there is a pressing need for biomarkers and advanced diagnostic tools to enable earlier detection and better disease management. In the early stages of PD, α-synuclein—can be cleaved by Calpain I, presenting a potential target for biomarker development.

        The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive immunoassay that detects α-synuclein fragments.

        Poster

        ADPD2025 alpha-synuclein in PD_Nordic BioscienceDownload

        Conclusion

        α-Synuclein fragments cleaved by calpain I are key early drivers of Parkinson’s disease pathology. This blood-based biomarker holds promise for enabling early diagnosis and identifying patients who are likely to respond to treatment.

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