California-based genomics company DxTerity is releasing data showing the association between type 1 interferon (IFN-1) and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus on November 11 at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting. The data support the commercial launch of a test for the overexpression of IFN-1, the company said.
Image courtesy of DxTerity.Lupus is a heterogeneous disease, which has presented hurdles for conducting drug trials and developing new treatments. Consequently, biomarker development is critical. The company reported that in a longitudinal study with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, there was a highly significant statistical association between type 1 interferon status and risk for developing lupus. DxTerity noted that its test is already being used in clinical trials of lupus.
Meanwhile, DxTerity is gearing up to run the direct-to-patient ELEVATE study of its modular immune profile (MIP) finger-stick blood test, which includes IFN-1 screening. The company said it aims to enroll 5,000 participants.
