Proteins could be the key to diagnosing and treating diseases early, according to Power3 Medical Products, a biotechnology company that specializes in proteomics research.
Proteomics is the study and analysis of proteins. The advent of proteomics has brought with it the hope of discovering novel protein biomarkers that can be used to diagnose diseases, predict susceptibility and monitor progression.
DNA is the blueprint of the cell, but the cell is made up of many proteins. DNA tests can find the risk of disease, but it is in the proteins where the disease actually starts.
Power3 Medical Products is identifying patterns of proteins associated with disease and applying these protein patterns to develop new screening, diagnostic tests and drug targets. The company anticipates these identified proteins may offer a straight path to the development of new diagnostic tests and commercial medicines.
For many diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, early detection plays a pivotal role in improving the survival rate of the patient. When detected early, many such lethal diseases can be effectively treated with existing remedies. The difficulty remains: how to effectively detect such conditions at the earliest possible stage with a high enough positive predictive value so that they can be treated effectively without overwhelming the medical system with false positive diagnoses.
So far, the company has made headway with two early detection diagnostic tests - a noninvasive early indicator for breast cancer called the Nipple Aspirate Fluid (NAF) Test, and a blood test for early indications of neurodegenerative diseases and to distinguish between Lou Gehrig's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Additionally, Power3 Medical is discovering proteins and protein patterns associated with various diseases including leukemia, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, lymphatic diseases, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
Based on the rate of interesting leads already being discovered using proteomics, it is likely that not only will biomarkers with better sensitivity and specificity be identified but individual patients will be treated using customized therapies based on their specific protein profile, according to Power3 Medical Products. Though many of the proteomic technologies and data management tools are still in their infancy, the future of proteomics in disease diagnostics looks extremely promising.
For more information about the proteomics industry, visit the Power3 Medical Products (OTC BB:PWRM) Web site at www.power3medical.com. - NU |
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