Blood Tests to Speed Asthma Drug Clinical Trials

Molecular signals or biomarkers will be identified that are predictive of chronic inflammatory responses in allergic asthmatic adults.

The Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Center; Vancouver, BC, Canada) and AllerGen NCE (Hamilton, ON, Canada) expect to complete the development and validation of a biomarker panel which, by early 2014, will predict an asthmatic individual's response to allergen exposure, and that can diagnose a late allergic response. Blood samples will be obtained from the AllerGen Clinical Investigator Collaborative (CIC) and using the expertise of the PROOF Centre, investigators will identify the predictive biomarkers. The discovery of novel biomarkers will ultimately allow for the effective monitoring of promising therapeutics for allergic asthma.

Individuals with allergic asthma respond differently to exposure to allergens such as pollen, mites, or molds. While some develop an isolated early (resolving quickly) response, others go on to develop a late (i.e., ongoing and more severe) response, the latter characterized by severe inflammation of the airways that can only be partly reversed by existing drugs.

"Such biomarkers, implemented via a simple blood test, will identify subjects who are late asthmatic responders so that they can be pre-selected for clinical trials that examine how effective new pharmacological interventions are in attenuating inflammatory responses to allergen exposure," said Dr. Scott Tebbutt, CSO Officer of the PROOF Center. "By speeding up the selection process, these blood tests will also lower the cost of recruiting asthmatic subjects into clinical trials."

Today, over 50% of Canadian families are directly or indirectly affected by asthma and allergic diseases. Allergic diseases place tremendous psychosocial and economic burdens on both Canadians and the healthcare system, costing up to CAD 15 billion annually in emergency department visits, prescribed medications, and productivity losses at school and work.

Related Links:
Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failure
AllerGen NCE