Pioneer in evidence-based medicine creates innovative assay for detecting
early signs of kidney failure, to enable timely intervention
DEDHAM, Mass., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Signet Laboratories, Inc., a
pioneer in evidence-based medicine (EviMed), today announced the release of
NEPHROSCREEN(TM), a predictive diagnostic for detecting early signs of Acute
Renal Failure (ARF), to help prevent onset and reverse kidney damage.
According to Dr. Richard D. Gill, President and CEO of Signet
Laboratories, "Acute Renal Failure affects roughly one-third of critically ill
renal patients, with a mortality rate of 50% or more -- apparently higher if
it occurs in hospital. Current testing regimes for Acute Renal Failure are
dependent upon detection of creatinine levels in patient specimen serum
samples. Unfortunately, in most cases, by the time you can detect creatinine,
it's already too late. Kidney damage has set in, possibly permanently, with
all its consequences."
"NEPHROSCREEN(TM) is the first viable predictive diagnostic for Acute
Renal Failure, and can detect ARF within hours of onset, and up to seven days
prior to a rise in creatinine levels in serum -- giving physicians precious
time to intervene and prevent irreversible damage to the kidneys," he added.
The NEPHROSCREEN(TM) assay is based on the detection of Adenosine
Deaminase Binding Protein (ADBP) in urine, which is released from kidney brush
border epithelial cells into the urine during Acute Renal Failure (ARF). Most
importantly, the protein can be measured within a few hours after onset of ARF
when damage to the kidney can be reversed. Traditionally, ARF diagnosis is
based on urine output, blood-urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels
which indirectly measure glomerular filtration rate, as well as other physical
symptoms. One of the most significant ARF markers in serum is creatinine,
which rises relatively slowly over the course of several days, and very often,
after damage has already occurred to the kidney. Studies have shown that ADBP
can be detected up to seven days before a rise in creatinine. ARF is commonly
observed in the emergency room setting where early intervention plays a
critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality. Almost 90% of ARF is
potentially reversible if the diagnosis can be made early during the process
of kidney damage. Thus, ADBP measurement followed by early intervention offers
an opportunity to reverse ARF before kidney damage becomes permanent. The
measurement of this protein using the NEPHROSCREEN(TM) assay provides the
earliest quantitative indicator available of ARF.
About Signet Laboratories, Inc.
Signet Laboratories, Inc. is a pioneering evidence-based medicine (EviMed)
company that is committed to developing and commercializing predictive
diagnostics and preventive drugs and therapies for critical disease states.
Evidence-based medicine is the treatment of diseases prior to their full
manifestation, with the goal of reducing their occurrence and preventing
disease progression by early identification of patients with increased risk
factors.
Drawing on long experience in developing diagnostic assays and antibodies
for disease detection and treatment, Signet's mission is to create novel
diagnostics and drugs for patients at risk for cancer, sepsis and renal
failure (SARF), neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
and Huntington's, and prion diseases such as "Mad Cow" and vCJD.
In addition to diagnostics, drugs and therapies, Signet offers a complete
product line of over 800 manufactured antibodies, ELISA kits, detection
products and accessories in an FDA registered facility. Signet products are
available online, at http://www.signetlabs.com. For more information, contact
Terri Daly at (781) 915-1404, or via email: tdaly@signetlabs.com.
SOURCE Signet Laboratories, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.signetlabs.com
CONTACT:
Terri Daly of Signet Laboratories, Inc.
+1-781-915-1404, tdaly@signetlabs.com
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