Celera Diagnostics Identifies Novel Genetic Markers Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attack
Discoveries Presented at the International Vascular Biology Meeting; Expanded Understanding of Disease Biology Creates Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities
Alameda. Scientists from Celera Diagnostics presented data linking genetic variations in two genes with increased risk for myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack, at the International Vascular biology Meeting in Toronto. Celera Diagnostics, a joint venture between the Applied Biosystems Group and Celera Genomics Group of Applera Corporation, conducted the study in collaboration with researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the University of California, San Francisco.
The findings presented are the latest in a series of communications regarding myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular disease related discoveries by Celera Diagnostics and its collaborators. The poster presented in Toronto and a summary of Celera Diagnostics' previous findings related to risk of MI are available online at: http://www.celeradiagnostics.com/cdx/study_results. Celera Diagnostics has ongoing association studies in several cardiovascular indications utilizing over 19,000 samples to support these efforts. Additional findings related to stroke will be presented at the World Stroke Congress in Vancouver, BC on June 25, 2004.
"Myocardial infarction remains a major cause of death and disability in the United States and other countries. New DNA diagnostics using multiple markers to identify individuals at increased risk, and therefore in need of medical interventions, represent an important objective in medicine today," said Stephen G. Ellis, MD, Director of the Sones Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Kathy Ordoñez, President of Celera Diagnostics, added, "Our association studies are broadening our understanding of the underlying biology of cardiovascular disease, and producing opportunities to create diagnostic and therapeutic value. To deliver on the promise of Targeted Medicine, we must translate these exciting discoveries into clinical practice. We are working with Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) and other collaborators to identify the most informative constellation of markers associated with MI. In conjunction with scientists at Celera Genomics, we are also considering the therapeutic potential of these and other markers."
Summary of Scientific Findings The two genetic markers, or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), presented include a SNP in the aquaporin 10 gene (AQP10), which is associated with a two fold increased risk for MI. The second SNP is in KIAA1462, a gene of unknown function. Each of these SNPs confers a risk for MI comparable to conventional risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.
These genetic markers were identified through an association study of more than 9,000 functional SNPs. Celera Diagnostics evaluated DNA samples from more than 1,400 individuals to compare patterns of genetic variation in people with a history of MI to those with no history of chronic heart disease. The results were replicated in a separate sample collection of over 1,000 individuals.
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