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Published on: September 4, 2017
Circulating Blood Prognostic Biomarker Signatures for Hemorrhagic Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCMs)
Jacob Croft1, Brian Grajeda2, Luis A Aguirre2
1Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso (TTUHSCEP), El Paso, TX 79905, USA.
Insights
Researchers identified blood biomarkers to predict hemorrhagic stroke risk in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). These findings aid in treatment decisions and target development for this neurological disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are neurological disorders involving enlarged brain capillaries, increasing hemorrhagic stroke risk.
- Limited treatment options highlight the need for prognostic biomarkers to guide clinical decisions and identify therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify blood-based biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting hemorrhage risk in CCM patients.
- To establish initial circulating biomarker signatures for CCM1 deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic profiling of human and mouse CCM models.
- Pathway enrichment analysis to identify statistically significant candidate biomarkers.
- Comparison of proteomic profiles between patient groups.
Main Results:
- Identified specific candidate biomarkers associated with metabolism and blood clotting pathways.
- These biomarkers showed a strong correlation with the likelihood of hemorrhagic cerebral cavernous malformations.
- Established a set of circulating biomarker signatures for CCM1 deficiency.
Conclusions:
- The identified biomarkers show promise for predicting hemorrhagic stroke risk in CCM patients.
- These findings provide a foundation for further research into blood biomarkers for assessing hemorrhagic CCM risk.
- Potential for improved patient management and development of targeted therapies.
Abstract:
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are a neurological disorder characterized by enlarged intracranial capillaries in the brain, increasing the susceptibility to hemorrhagic strokes, a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The limited treatment options for CCMs underscore the importance of prognostic biomarkers to predict the likelihood of hemorrhagic events, aiding in treatment decisions and identifying potential pharmacological targets. This study aimed to identify blood biomarkers capable of diagnosing and predicting the risk of hemorrhage in CCM1 patients, establishing an initial set of circulating biomarker signatures. By analyzing proteomic profiles from both human and mouse CCM models and conducting pathway enrichment analyses, we compared groups to identify potential blood biomarkers with statistical significance. Specific candidate biomarkers primarily associated with metabolism and blood clotting pathways were identified. These biomarkers show promise as prognostic indicators for CCM1 deficiency and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, strongly correlating with the likelihood of hemorrhagic cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). This lays the groundwork for further investigation into blood biomarkers to assess the risk of hemorrhagic CCMs.
