Proteomics signals hope for endometriosis sufferers with study

The prospect of a simple blood test rather than an invasive surgical procedure to detect a painful gynaecological condition has taken a step forward following the release of a study by

Proteomics International Laboratories. The Perth-based medical biotechnology company is aiming to develop the world’s first diagnostic test for endometriosis and reduce the suffering for

millions of women worldwide who suffer from the debilitating condition that often flies under the radar for years. Proteomics says its study of almost 900 women, launched last August and

incorporating data collected over several years, has identified several indicators of the endometriosis with some biomarkers having statistical significance. Biomarkers are protein

“fingerprints” identified with a disease and can be used as tools, both to diagnose and to predict whether a person will develop the disease. The latest study aimed to test the effectiveness

of biomarkers Proteomics discovered two years ago in a pilot study. > We are excited to have passed this significant milestone on our way > to developing what we hope will be the 

world’s first non-invasive > test for endometriosis. The clinical validation results are the > foundation for turning the biomarkers into a new diagnostic test for > endometriosis,

> Proteomics’ Managing Director, Dr Richard Lipscombe However, Proteomics cautions that because endometriosis is a highly complex condition with a broad spectrum of clinical indications,

further work may be required to detect subtle variations. The next phase of analysis, expected to take a month, will involve the use of the validated biomarkers to create a diagnostic

statistical model to determine the accuracy of the new test. That was the route taken by Proteomics for its lead product PromarkerD, that is creating a lot of interest for its potential to

diagnose diabetic kidney disease. The company will then seek to confirm the clinical performance of the test in an independent patient cohort, and the biotech has signed an agreement with St

John of God Health Care to access about 250 clinical samples from St John’s Subiaco Hospital Gynaecological Cancer Research Group. Dr Lipscombe added an independent study will prove if the

company does have a viable, novel, non-invasive test for endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the interior of the uterus grows outside. It often affects the

reproductive system and can be found on ovaries and fallopian tubes and in severe cases cause fertility problems. The condition can also develop in the bowel, bladder and other pelvic

organs. Symptoms of the disease often develop in teenagers however they can remain undiagnosed for years, causing unexplained pain. It has been estimated that more than 10 per cent of women

suffer it and though the condition can start in young girls, it is most commonly associated with women in their 30s and 40s. One estimate puts the costs to the nation at almost $10 billion a

year and it is also notoriously difficult to diagnose, taking on average 7.5 years. At present, the conventional diagnostic tool for pelvic and abdominal endometritis is by laparoscopy

whereby a camera is inserted surgically into the abdominal cavity. Proteomics announced in August it was teaming up with the University of Melbourne and The Royal Women’s Hospital to

progress the world’s first diagnostic test for endometriosis. The validation study examined clinical samples collected over several years from patients who attended a Royal Women’s Hospital

pelvic pain clinic. The samples came from women with different grades of endometriosis, with gynaecological symptoms other than endometriosis and healthy control samples from volunteers

recruited by Proteomics. Developing reliable diagnostic and predictive tools for such conditions and disease is yet another burgeoning and lucrative aspect of the medical technology

industry. Proteomics is certainly creating attention with its work to develop simple and effective tools using biomarkers. It is currently rolling-out its lead product, PromarkerD, the

world’s first predictive diagnostic test for diabetic kidney disease. It also has advanced research programs targeting asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The market seems

impressed by the study results. On a day the ASX fell around 2 per cent, Proteomics’ stock finished up 13.5 per cent on yesterday’s close. _Is your ASX-listed company doing something

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