BACKGROUND:  Ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease affect approximately 0.2% of the population in the United States. However, the incidence of both diseases is on the rise world wide. There is a great need to monitor disease progression in these patients over time. The current standard includes invasive techniques such as endoscopy with histology, or radiological imaging methods such as ultrasound and CT scans. It would be useful to measure the inflammation within the intestine in a routine manner with minimal discomfort to the patient.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have identified that genotoxicity in the peripheral blood can be used as a marker for inflammation in the intestine. Researchers collect small quantities of blood and quantify the level of genotoxicity by immunostaining and other methods. The level of genotoxicity directly correlates with the level of inflammation in the intestine.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Monitor disease progression (IBD, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) over time
• Monitor efficacy of treatment and of disease management in patients with IBD, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease over time

ADVANTAGES

• Require small amounts of blood instead of invasive procedures and/or procedures that expose patient to radioactivity
• Require equal or less time and labor, as compared to current techniques, to process samples
• Assay can detect sub-clinical inflammation

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  This innovation has been tested and validated using animal models. The inventors currently test this method on the peripheral blood of patients with IBD.

Related Papers (Selected)

• Westbrook AM, Wei B, Braun J, Schiestl RH. Intestinal Mucosal Inflammation Leads to Systemic Genotoxicity in Mice. Cancer Res 2009; 69:(11). Online print on June 1, 2009. [more]
• JCCC Press Release: [more]

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-341