Novel methods to SCREEN, DETECT and PROTECT against life threatening respiratory dysfunction

Purpose and goal

The overall goal of this project is to establish a diagnostic application to monitor patients at risk of developing life threatening breathing disorders. The most used clinical marker for infection related inflammation today is the analysis of CRP. The conceptual change introduced by our recent data is that endogenous prostaglandins are central pathogenic factors in cardio-respiratory disorders and the hypoxic response. This opens up an opportunity for new ventures that should significantly improve the diagnostics and treatment of newborn, pediatric and adult patients.

Results and expected effects

We have shown that PGE2-levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are elevated in children exposed to severe perinatal asphyxia (Björk et al. Acta Paed 2013). We have also established new methods to detect the stable non-degraded metabolite of PGE2, directly related to serum levels that is secreted into urine using mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The sensitivity of the assay and the clinical feasibility have now been published (Idborg et al 2014 PLEFA). The results found the basis for further studies and they are under discussion together with IPR in the project with a potential partner

Approach and implementation

To study the incidence, the underlying mechanisms and treatment of inflammation-related breathing disorders wa have conducted a validation study with analysis of prostaglandin levels in the urine of children under two years of age admitted to the paediatric infectious wards with upper respiratory infection. A large subgroup were RSV positive which often have apneas as a complication and sometimes is the first symptom in a RSV infection. The project also secured the possibility of commercialization with the subject matter being preserved in a patent application (WO2009/063226).