Improving Diagnostics for 5 Diseases

From cancer to autoimmune diseases, diagnostics play a critical role in saving lives and extending life expectancy. Want to know more about how scientists are working to improve diagnostics for some of the world’s deadliest diseases? Read on as we spotlight the cutting-edge research being used to treat diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

1. The role of metallic elemental forms in Alzheimer’s

At the Universities of Warwick and Keele, a team of researchers is exploring the link between disease progression and metallic elemental deposits such as copper and iron. Lead author of the study Dr. James Everett asserts, “Should the magnetic metals identified through this research be linked to the development of Alzheimer’s, they have a potential use as markers for disease diagnosis using techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allowing for pre-clinical disease screening of at-risk cohorts.”

2. Using cell therapy to treat diabetes

Danish-operated company PanCryos is pushing forward with a revolutionary stem cell derived allogeneic cell therapy solution that could be used to treat type 1 diabetes. Known as PanINSULA™, the treatment is part of a new out-licensing program launched by Takara Bio Europe AB (TBEAB). The program offers industrial partners such as PanCryos access to the company’s advanced hES cell technology and is designed to fast-track the development of next-generation cell therapy products.

3. Exploring antibody candidates for cancer and autoimmune diseases

Over the coming years, Global immunology company argenx will collaborate with British-based IONTAS Limited (IONTAS) and Portugal-based FairJourney Biologics S.A (FJB) to explore new antibody candidates using advanced mammalian display technology. Progress could revolutionise treatments for patents diagnosed with cancer and serious autoimmune conditions, with the hope that disease biology breakthroughs will be used to develop new and more effective therapeutic antibodies.

4. Mapping the mechanics of tuberculosis

As tuberculosis (TB) continues to build resistance to antibiotics, discovering new drugs to treat the infectious disease has become a priority for researchers at the University of Warwick. The team have successfully mapped the mechanics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterial pathogen that drives the disease and thrives on an essential sugar called Trehalose produced by the human body. The team hope this new insight into Mtb can be used to develop and improve treatments for TB, as well as diagnostic agents.

5. Combating malaria with a single dose

In a breakthrough for malaria research, scientists at the University of Dundee have secured £2.4 million in funding to develop a single dose treatment for malaria. The team will attempt to identify and isolate the unique compounds needed to design the treatment, with Professor Kevin Read stressing “There is an urgent need for the development of new medicines to treat this terrible disease, due to the parasites that cause malaria becoming resistant to current drugs.” Find out more about the project in ‘Are Single Dose Treatments for Malaria Feasible?’