Description of Invention:
In industrialized countries coronary heart disease and stroke due to atherosclerosis are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Coronary heart disease is the single largest cause of death in the U.S.A. and will cost approximately $133.2 billion according to the 2004 American Heart Association statistics update.
The identification of more sensitive and specific markers of atherosclerosis that are non-invasive and cost-effective may have profound impacts on public health. One such strategy involves the detection of marker genes or their products in blood or serum. Such markers may help identify high-risk patients with subclinical atherosclerosis who may benefit from intensive primary prevention or they may help determine the activity of established disease for monitoring response to treatment, resulting in more targeted secondary prevention.
The present invention relates to methods for detecting atherosclerosis using highly reactive biomarkers (FOS and/or DUSP1) expressed in blood cells or released into serum. Because these markers are also involved in pathogenesis, they may serve as potential targets for drug discovery and for intervention to modify disease progression.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Fatima Sayyid M.H.P.M.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4521
Email: sayyidf@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
