Technology:
The inventors have developed a
methodology that has been robustly validated (~800 patients) to accurately and
reliably measure Ox-LDL, AGE-LDL and other modified LDLs in both free and
bound/immune-complex forms that are directly correlated with potential
development of severe atherosclerotic disease, higher morbidity and
mortality. These findings have
significant utility in diagnosing cardiovascular disease and complications in
patients well before the onset of clinically detectable disease. This method of collection, separation
and detection of a range of modified LDLs and LDL immune complexes is more
consistent, reliable and robust than other currently available methods.
Overview:
Clinical atherosclerosis
affects more than 25 million Americans.
That number does not reflect the substantial portion of the population
that has asymptomatic, subclinical atherosclerosis. According to the NHLBI’s MESA study,
subclinical atherosclerotic subjects with coronary artery calcification are four
to ten times more likely to experience a coronary event than subjects with no
calcification. Current methods for
detecting subclinical atherosclerosis, chest CT or neck ultrasound, are
costly. Diagnosis early in the
disease process could lead to early and aggressive intervention in the
appropriate patients prior to irreversible damage such as nephropathy, heart
attack and blindness. Therefore,
having a reliable, inexpensive method of screening would allow for appropriate
adjustments to therapy both early on and over time.
Advantages:
More consistent and reliable
than other current methods of LDL detection; robust validation already
performed
Key Words:
Atherosclerosis, LDL,
subclinical atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease
Inventors:
Maria Lopes-Virella, Gabriel
Virella
Patent Status:
US Patent Application
12/885,020 filed 09.17.10
MUSC-FRD Technology ID:
P0923