Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Novel Blood Test Detects Hidden Inflammation Across Multiple Diseases

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Feb 2025

Inflammation is a key factor in almost every disease, yet existing blood tests are unable to specify which organs or tissues are affected. More...

In a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize how doctors diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, researchers have now identified unique chemical markers that could enable blood tests to detect inflammation in specific organs.

The research, conducted by scientists at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA), focuses on compounds that form during inflammatory processes, leaving distinct chemical signatures in different parts of the body. Their work centers around how reactive oxygen species (ROS)—highly reactive molecules generated by immune cells to combat pathogens—interact with fatty acids in cell membranes. This interaction leads to the creation of compounds known as epoxyketooctadecanoic acids (EKODEs). These compounds accumulate in different tissues experiencing oxidative stress, such as the brain, heart, and liver. To further understand this, the researchers synthesized model compounds and systematically studied their interactions with various amino acids, ultimately discovering that the amino acid cysteine formed stable bonds with EKODEs.

The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), were validated through experiments involving both mouse models and human tissues. The team developed antibodies that could detect the different types of EKODEs and measure their varying concentrations across various organs. This marks a shift in how researchers could potentially identify disease-specific biomarkers. The implications of this discovery extend beyond merely detection. The method could serve as a model similar to the widely used A1C test for diabetes, which tracks blood sugar levels over three months by measuring glucose-bound hemoglobin. Likewise, an EKODE-based test could reveal abnormal oxidative stress patterns specific to particular organs, potentially identifying early signs of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, and cancers before they become severe.

The research team is currently focused on discovering EKODE markers related to eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These conditions, which can lead to vision loss, could be detected earlier through blood tests based on this new research. Moving forward, the next phase of the research will involve linking specific EKODE patterns to distinct diseases, which could lead to a new class of diagnostic tools capable of detecting inflammation with remarkable accuracy. For both patients and healthcare providers, this could enable earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatments for a wide range of inflammatory diseases. The research has also captured the interest of pharmaceutical companies, as identifying reactive cysteines is becoming increasingly crucial in drug development.

“This research opens up an amazing number of pathways for future studies,” said Greg Tochtrop, professor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve who led the investigation. “It will lead directly to better understanding inflammation and detecting diseases, as well as to discovering new drugs.”


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Autoimmune Liver Diseases Assay
Microblot-Array Liver Profile Kit
New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: An adult fibrosarcoma case report has shown the importance of early diagnosis and targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Sultana and Sailaja/Oncoscience)

Accurate Pathological Analysis Improves Treatment Outcomes for Adult Fibrosarcoma

Adult fibrosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy that develops in connective tissue and often affects the limbs, trunk, or head and neck region. Diagnosis is complex because tumors can mimic... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.