Seanko
Well-Known Member
Griffith University in Australia are claiming to have found a biomarker for ME/CFS
Report on ME Action about Biomarker story below
Australian scientists announce they have made a breakthrough in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome testing, now looking for partners to bring a diagnostic test to market.
An ABC radio interview with Australian scientists at Queensland’s Griffith University reveals they have identified new markers on white blood cells which can be used to screen patients. Patient Lyn Wilson, Professor Don Staines and Professor Sonya Marshall Gradisnik are interviewed.
Several published and as-yet-unpublished studies contributed to this stage, see the abstract for the study, ‘A Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the Role of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis’.
The study, conducted on 23 CFS/ME patients, 11 untreated MS patients, and 30 nonfatigued controls. In CFS/ME patients, a marker called CD127 was significantly decreased on all subsets of CD8+ T cells. PSGL-1 was significantly reduced.
News reports are hailing the finding as a possible biomarker:
DAVID MARK: Australian scientists say they could soon produce a diagnosis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that could be as simple as having a blood test.
The scientists have identified new markers on white blood cells which can be used to screen patients who present with symptoms characteristic of chronic fatigue.
DON STAINES: We have found for the first time, specific markers, which can now be used in the form of a blood test to screen people who may present with symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis to their GP.
– report by Courtney Wilson on ABC’s PM program
From Griffith University’s media release:
The research team from the National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, has identified new markers that can be used to screen patients and is now looking to partner with diagnostic companies to bring a test to market. The screening test is expected to benefit all those with symptoms of the condition.
“Over the last four years, with support from the Queensland Government and philanthropic donors, we have identified unique markers in CFS patients,” says Professor Marshall-Gradisnik.
“This screening test may be expected to become a laboratory standard to provide more certain, and cost-efficient, diagnosis for CFS. Currently patients may be undergoing a range of tests to diagnose for CFS which incurs a significant cost to the health care system."
“CFS, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), affects up to 400,000 Australians, many of whom are housebound or bedbound. Patients are isolated and further stigmatised by disbelief of their condition.
“This illness has traditionally been difficult to diagnose, meaning that people can go for months without getting the care and attention they require. We are confident that the new screening test currently in development will provide efficient and increasingly accurate screening for people with CFS. This test may also be used to monitor and track the progression of their illness,” says Professor Staines.
We have found for the first time, specific markers, which can now be used in the form of a blood test to screen people who may present with symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis to their GP.
Report on ME Action about Biomarker story below
Australian scientists announce they have made a breakthrough in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome testing, now looking for partners to bring a diagnostic test to market.
An ABC radio interview with Australian scientists at Queensland’s Griffith University reveals they have identified new markers on white blood cells which can be used to screen patients. Patient Lyn Wilson, Professor Don Staines and Professor Sonya Marshall Gradisnik are interviewed.
Several published and as-yet-unpublished studies contributed to this stage, see the abstract for the study, ‘A Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the Role of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis’.
The study, conducted on 23 CFS/ME patients, 11 untreated MS patients, and 30 nonfatigued controls. In CFS/ME patients, a marker called CD127 was significantly decreased on all subsets of CD8+ T cells. PSGL-1 was significantly reduced.
News reports are hailing the finding as a possible biomarker:
DAVID MARK: Australian scientists say they could soon produce a diagnosis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that could be as simple as having a blood test.
The scientists have identified new markers on white blood cells which can be used to screen patients who present with symptoms characteristic of chronic fatigue.
DON STAINES: We have found for the first time, specific markers, which can now be used in the form of a blood test to screen people who may present with symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis to their GP.
– report by Courtney Wilson on ABC’s PM program
From Griffith University’s media release:
The research team from the National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, has identified new markers that can be used to screen patients and is now looking to partner with diagnostic companies to bring a test to market. The screening test is expected to benefit all those with symptoms of the condition.
“Over the last four years, with support from the Queensland Government and philanthropic donors, we have identified unique markers in CFS patients,” says Professor Marshall-Gradisnik.
“This screening test may be expected to become a laboratory standard to provide more certain, and cost-efficient, diagnosis for CFS. Currently patients may be undergoing a range of tests to diagnose for CFS which incurs a significant cost to the health care system."
“CFS, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), affects up to 400,000 Australians, many of whom are housebound or bedbound. Patients are isolated and further stigmatised by disbelief of their condition.
“This illness has traditionally been difficult to diagnose, meaning that people can go for months without getting the care and attention they require. We are confident that the new screening test currently in development will provide efficient and increasingly accurate screening for people with CFS. This test may also be used to monitor and track the progression of their illness,” says Professor Staines.
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