Development of early non-invasive biomarkers and means for the diagnosis and progression monitoring of pre-eclampsia and tailoring putative therapies

Objective

Preeclampsia (PET), de-novo hypertension & proteinuria after mid gestation, affects 5-7% of all pregnancies. Cases may develop life threatening haemolysis-elevated liver enzymes-low platelets (HELLP) or renal failure, cerebral haemorrhages & eclampsia, IUGR, placental abruption & death. We will identify markers for PET risk prediction in the 1st trimester to allow longer time for tailoring putative medications to prevent PET; and assess & characterize plausible links between marker shortage/access, PET & putative medications in in vitro systems to fit putative medications to pre-defined disease-risk women. Candidates for 1st trimester risk prediction of PET (cell free DNA & RNA, serum PP13, ADAM12, PAPP-A) will be verified with new ones using genomics & proteomics. Our blood, urine & fixed placenta tissue banks of pregnant women enable comparative analysis to build integrative, non-invasive Marker Effectiveness Profiles (MEPs) to PET subtypes (early/late onset, mild/severe, HELLP & IUGR). Disease progressions will be detected by continuous marker monitoring. Expertise in trophoblast in-vitro systems (placenta explants & cell lines) and quantitative real time PCR, genomics & proteomics, immunohistochemistry & confocal microscopy will verify markers' roles and identify links to curing effects of putative medications. We will model 'Putative Medication Benefit Arrays' (PMBAs) for PET subtypes matched to MEPs. We will develop non-invasive diagnostic kits for 1st trimester PET prediction based on markers, antibodies, oligos & siRNA and others coupled to the power of Doppler ultrasound. Nested case-control clinical studies will test effectiveness of combined diagnosis & drug tailoring. Trans-European prospective clinical study, combining early diagnosis & randomising putative medication will verify findings. R&D results will be used to train physicians & patients, to implement new prenatal care practice and eradicate preeclampsia.'

Fields of science

• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › microscopy › confocal microscopy
• agricultural sciences › animal and dairy science › pets
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › proteomics
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › pharmacology and pharmacy › pharmaceutical drug
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › obstetrics and gynaecology › obstetrics

Programme(s)

• FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• LSH-2005-1.2.2-4 - Development of new diagnostics

Call for proposal

FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

Address

2 Ha'carmel Street
Yoqne'am
Israel

Participants (10)

GLOBAL RESEARCH AND FINANCING

Israel

Address

15, Balfour Street
Tel-aviv

BARKING, HAVERING & REDBRIDGE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST

United Kingdom

Address

Harold Wood Hospital, Gubbins Lane
Romford, Essex

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ

Austria

Address

Universitaetsplatz 3
Graz

SEMMELWEIS EGYETEM

Hungary

Address

Ülloi U. 26
Budapest

WALLAC OY

Finland

Address

Mustionkatu 6
Turku

FOETAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION

United Kingdom

Address

137 Harley Street
London

INNOMEDICA OY LTD.

Finland

Address

Tykistökatu 6 B
Turku

IMUNOSTAR - INVESTIGAÇÃO E COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE PRODUTOS DE BIODIAGÓSTICO S.A.

Portugal

Address

Rua Do Campo Alegre, 823
Porto

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO

Italy

Address

Via Festa Del Perdono 7
Milano

UNIVERSITÄT BASEL

Switzerland

Address

Petersplatz 1
Basel