VolitionRx (NYSE-A:VNRX) Limited announced it had presented data about its work on neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs, at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress.
The firm, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Namur and QUALIblood in Belgium, published a poster presentation entitled "Evaluation and comparison of NETosis biomarkers in sepsis and COVID-19 patients" at the conference.
NETosis is a unique form of cell death that is characterized by the release of NETs composed of decondensed chromatin, that trap and kill bacteria and viral particles.
READ: VolitionRx says Nu.Q NETs test gets CE mark enabling clinical use in over 27 countries across Europe
While NETs play a role in supporting the immune system, excessive production can lead to tissue damage and, in severe cases, sepsis, shock, and death.
A key finding from the study was the correlation reported between the Nu.Q NETs level and the currently used SOFA score, professor Jonathan Douxfils, University of Namur and QUALIblood's Chief Executive and Scientific Officer noted.
“Interestingly Nu.Q NETs may also enable discrimination between critical COVID-19 and septic shock patients,” Douxfils said. “Further studies are warranted to confirm whether using Nu.Q NETs and indeed other Nu.Q assays may predict disease severity and help in categorizing patients at diagnosis."
Commenting on the ISTH Congress, Volition’s chief scientific officer Jake Micallef called the meeting “a fantastic congress.”
"NETosis has become a huge focus for medics in recent years, given elevated levels of NETs are associated with poor patient outcomes in a range of diseases, such as COVID-19, but also including sepsis and cancer. This was the first large-scale congress we have attended since our Nu.Q NETs test was CE-marked for the detection and evaluation of NETosis, enabling clinical use across Europe,” Michallef said.
“As the only analytically validated test for NETs, we believe that Nu.Q NETs has significant potential to support clinical decision-making, enabling physicians to act quickly, and improve patient outcomes."
Henderson, Nevada-based Volition is developing simple, easy-to-use, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of life-altering diseases in both humans and animals.
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