Author: Claire Hornung

ACR70 Response and Its Dependence on Deep Tissue Efficacy

Posted on by Claire Hornung

Introduction

Over the past decade, drugs developed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been approved based on an ACR20 response rate of 60%. There is an increasing need for new RA drugs to achieve an ACR100 response in a significant portion of patients. Achieving ACR100 can profoundly improve patients’ quality of life by reducing pain, enhancing physical function, and decreasing fatigue.

The key question remains: which patients are likely to achieve ACR100?

An important aspect of RA pathogenesis involves the destruction and remodeling of bone, cartilage, and synovial tissue. Serum biomarkers that measure collagen and other extracellular matrix fragments can be used to assess disease activity at the tissue level. Examples include C1M (type I collagen destruction), C4M (type IV collagen destruction), and Osteocalcin (bone formation) [1].

The aim of this study was to examine the demographic, clinical, and serum markers of tissue remodeling as predictors linked to ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 responses to tocilizumab.

Poster

EULAR2025 ACR70 Response_Nordic BioscienceDownload

Conclusion

While predictors of moderate response (ACR20) included clinical, demographic, and biomarker factors, predictors of significant response (ACR70) were exclusively biomarkers of extracellular matrix fragmentation. To achieve remission (ACR70 or ACR100) may require therapeutic interventions that specifically target and address tissue remodeling processes.

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    Serological Extracellular Matrix Fragments May Serve as Early Kidney Damage Biomarkers

    Posted on by Claire Hornung

    Serological extracellular matrix fragments may serve as early kidney damage biomarkers in children with defects in Alport genes

    Introduction

    Alport syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by variants in COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5, which encode type IV collagen. The α3.α4.α5(IV) collagen network is a critical structural component of the glomerular and tubular basement membranes within the kidney’s extracellular matrix (ECM). Variants in this network compromise basement membrane integrity, leading to cell injury, inflammation, and fibrotic remodeling of the surrounding interstitial matrix, which contributes to progressive kidney dysfunction.

    We aim to identify serological protease-generated fragments of the ECM as potential early biomarkers of kidney damage.

    Poster

    ERA25 Alport Genes_Nordic BioscienceDownload

    Conclusion

    The following biomarkers were altered in children with Alport syndrome, compared to healthy donors, before the onset of detectable proteinuria:


    These biomarkers could potentially indicate early kidney damage and enable earlier initiation of kidney-protective treatments in children with Alport syndrome.

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      Hidradenitis Suppurutiva Awareness Week: Biomarkers for Hidradenitis Suppurutiva

      Posted on by Claire Hornung

      The Hidradenitis Suppurutiva Awareness Week is held annually to spread knowledge about the disease and how it affects patients. Affecting roughly 1% of the population, HS causes significant physical and emotional challenges that are often overlooked.

      Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week is held annually to raise awareness about this systemic skin disease

      HS is believed to result from a complex mix of genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and immune system dysfunction, driving a continuous cycle of inflammation. It commonly presents as painful nodules, abscesses, draining tunnels beneath the skin, and scarring.

      These symptoms often cause physical discomfort and disability, affecting quality of life, personal relationships, and career opportunities. People living with HS respond differently to treatments, and we believe that raising awareness and supporting research is key to developing tailored treatment strategies that truly address their challenges.

      Our dermatology biomarkers enable precision medicine by providing information about ongoing pathological processes, such as damage and repair, within the ECM. This can guide targeted treatments and therapies, enhancing patient outcomes and personalized medicine approaches. At the same time, our markers, supported by our long history of experience and expertise, expedite drug development by specifically identifying target populations and reducing costs, over proteomic providers’ hopes to hit the right target by chance.

      Read more about our HS biomarkers

      Type III and VI Collagen Have the Potential to Distinguish Between IPF and HP

      Posted on by Claire Hornung

      Type III and VI Collagen remodeling biomarkers have the potential to distinguish between IPF and HP

      Introduction

      IPF and HP are two ILDs with similar clinical phenotype but distinct management, making their precise separation critical. Serological biomarkers may assist in distinguishing the two. In this study we assessed the clinical value of type III and VI collagen remodeling biomarkers and their potential to act as a tool to distinguish between HP and IPF in two separate, independent cohorts.

      Poster

      Ats2025 HPvsIPF_Nordic BioscienceDownload

      Conclusion

      We conclude that nordicPRO-C3™ could distinguish between HP and IPF in the AUH-ILD cohort. Furthermore, the distinct collagen remodeling takes place in each disease. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ECM remodeling biomarkers could act as potential tools to distinguish between HP and IPF.

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        NordicPRO-C3™NordicPRO-C6™ in CTD-ILD: Results From the Phase IIb RECITAL Trial

        Posted on by Claire Hornung

        PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 fibrogenesis biomarkers in connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: results from the Phase IIb RECITAL trial

        Introduction

        ILD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). Cyclophosphamide is an effective treatment for CTD-ILD, but is limited by side effects. Rituximab was tested as an alternative in the RECITAL phase IIb trial. The result was that both drugs improved lung function, but rituximab showed fewer adverse events.

        The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclophosphamide and rituximab on fibrogenesis in CTD-ILD.

        Poster

        ATS2025 RECITAL_Nordic BioscienceDownload

        Conclusion

        The decrease in nordicPRO-C6™ and nordicPRO-C3™ suggest that, besides their immunomodulatory effects, these drugs may also reduce fibrogenesis. Furthermore, nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™, measured at baseline and as % change from baseline, are associated with FVC response. These findings highlight nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™ as promising biomarkers for progressive CTD-ILD.

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          Type III and VI Collagen Remodeling Biomarkers’ Potential to Distinguish Between IPF and HP

          Posted on by Claire Hornung

          Type III and VI collagen remodeling biomarkers have the potential to distinguish
          between IPF and HP

          Introduction

          IPF and HP are two ILDs with similar clinical phenotype but distinct management, making their precise separation critical. Serological biomarkers may assist in this distinction. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is a hallmark of fibrosis. Collagen formation and degradation processes release peptide fragments into the blood that can be quantified by the nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™ (type III and VI collagen formation), or the C3M and C6M (type III and VI collagen degradation) assays.

          In this study we assessed the clinical value of Type III and VI collagen remodeling biomarkers and their potential to act as a tool to distinguish between HP and IPF in two separate, independent cohorts.

          Poster

          ATS2025_HPvsIPF_Nordic BioscienceDownload

          Conclusion

          These findings suggest that ECM remodeling biomarkers such as nordicPRO-C3™ could act as potential tools to distinguish between HP and IPF.

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            NordicPRO-C3™ and NordicPRO-C6™ in Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

            Posted on by Claire Hornung

            NordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™ fibrogenesis biomarkers in connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: results from the phase IIb RECITAL trial

            Introduction

            ILD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). Cyclophosphamide is an effective treatment for CTD-ILD, but limited by side effects. In this study, we additionally tested rituximab as an alternative in the RECITAL phase IIb trial. Both drugs improved the lung function with rituximab showing fewer adverse events (Maher, 2022. Lancet Resp Med)

            Poster

            ATS2025_Interstitial_Lung_Disease_Nordic BioscienceDownload

            Conclusion

            The decrease in nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™ suggest that, besides their immunomodulatory effects, these drugs may also reduce fibrogenesis. Both biomarkers, measured at baseline and as % change from baseline, are associated with FVC response. These findings highlight nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™ as promising biomarkers for progressive CTD-ILD.

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              Identifying Patients with Mild-Stage Emphysema in COPD via Machine Learning

              Posted on by Claire Hornung

              Identifying biomarkers of mild-stage emphysema in COPD patients via interpretable machine learning

              Introduction

              Emphysema results from alveolar damage—causing abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and impaired lung function. Early detection in mild, often asymptomatic stages is key to timely intervention. Although computed tomography (CT) scans are the most accurate detection method, pathological changes may occur before emphysema becomes visible, highlighting the need for non-invasive early detection approaches.

              This study aimed to develop a proof-of-concept machine learning (ML) pipeline to identify patients with mild-stage emphysema using circulating biomarkers.

              Poster

              ATS2025_Mild-stage_Emphysema_Nordic BioscienceDownload

              Conclusion

              ML demonstrates potential for early-stage emphysema diagnosis through biomarker-driven methods. Quantifying fragments of ECM remodeling—driven by immune cell activity and collagen formation—could potentially serve as early diagnostic biomarkers in patients without lung function decline.

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                Tankyrase Inhibitor OM153 Exhibits Anti-Fibrotic Effects in a Scar-in-a-Jar Pulmonary Fibrosis Model

                Posted on by Claire Hornung

                Introduction

                Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, chronic and fatal lung disease with limited
                treatment options. Fibroblast activation and ECM deposition is pivotal in development of IPF, thus
                inhibiting fibrogenesis and ECM deposition is crucial for anti-fibrotic approaches to treat IPF.

                This study aims to prove that tankyrase inhibition reduces fibrogenesis induced by a fibrotic cocktail (FC) in primary human lung fibroblasts derived from IPF patients and decreases extracellular matrix biomarkers nordicPRO-C3™ and nordicPRO-C6™.

                Poster

                ATS2025_Tankyrase_Inhibitor_OM153_Nordic BioscienceDownload

                Conclusion

                These findings highlight the potential of tankyrase inhibiton as a therapeutic target for IPF and
                support the use of the Scar–in-a-Jar model as an effective tool for IPF drug screening.

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                  Engineering Liver Fibrosis in a Three-Dimensional, ECM-Hydrogel Disease Model

                  Posted on by Claire Hornung

                  Engineering liver fibrosis in a three-dimensional, extracellular matrix-hydrogel disease model

                  Introduction

                  Modeling fibrosis requires replicating the mechano-chemical cues of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including binding sites, three-dimensionality, and biomechanics. To engineer a liver fibrosis model based on native, decellularized ECM with spatial and compositional integrity, layered on a hydrogel of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) that provides tunable mechanical properties.

                  This model aims to support cell recolonization and facilitate the investigation of cell-matrix interactions, fibrogenic remodeling, and therapeutic screening in a physiologically relevant context.

                  Poster

                  EASL2025_ECM_Hydrogel_Model_Nordic BioscienceDownload

                  Conclusion

                  HSCs colonize porcine liver ECM and synthesize new collagen. Biochemical signaling and biomechanical properties drive ECM deposition, recapitulating key features of the fibrotic niche. Upon treatment with relaxin-2, HSCs display an ECM-degrading activity. The ECM-hydrogel constructs exhibit no cytotoxicity, and polymer concentration can be tuned to modulate the mechanical properties of the ECM. Due to its anatomical similarity to human tissue, porcine ECM offers a biologically relevant scaffold for in vitro fibrosis modeling without the ethical concerns associated with live animal use.

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