Jan 27 2009
In an effort to combat the near epidemic levels in HSV in the world, Concurrent Analytical Inc. was recently selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to modify its current RamanprobesTM system for use in detecting both types 1 and 2 in a high speed, low cost platform capable of quantifying HSV levels critical to diagnosis.
The broader impacts of this research are demonstrated by the urgent need for reliable techniques that can be deployed as rapid, low-cost analysis methods ranging from point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in the doctor’s office or hospital, to laboratory testing. Presently more than 50 million Americans have genital herpes, with another 1% of the U.S. population predicted to become infected annually. A 1999 survey showed ~20% of pregnant women tested positively for HSV-2 antibodies. If economic and rapid POC testing were available as a litmus test for HSV-2 in maternity wards, more informed decisions for herpes necessitated cesarean deliveries could be made, thereby protecting the immune-compromised neonates. A technique capable of quantifying HSV at the noted levels would also find a niche in the researcher’s laboratory in evaluating the antiviral effectiveness of candidate vaccines, as well as by pathologists in defining infective pathogen thresholds.
Dr. Christian Schoen, President of Concurrent Analytical Inc., is interested in using the RamanprobesTM system for ultrasensitive diagnostic tests such as the early detection of cancer. The system has already been used for diagnostics in Prostate Specific Antigen, and more recently, in detecting Pancreatic Cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths and claims 30,000 American lives each year. The five year survival rate is less than 5% and most patients die within the first two years. The RamanprobesTM system has detected Pancreatic Cancer earlier than any other diagnostic. So early in fact, the diagnostic is opening up the opportunity for treatment.
"We are very excited at developing these diagnostics tests. These tests will be able to allow doctors to quickly and easily detect cancers and viruses at a very early stage” said Dr. Schoen.
Dr. Marc Porter, Director of the USTAR Nanotechnology Biosensors Group at the University, along with ARUP, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT), are partners in the effort.