Exosome RNA Exosome RNA Research & Industry News
Exosome Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with majority shareholder Aethlon Medical, Inc., announced recently that it has agreed to participate in a clinical research study to establish methods for detecting and diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life as well as examining risk factors for CTE. CTE is a disease of the brain often found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive head impacts. At present, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed through post-mortem examination of brain tissue.
The research study will be conducted under a $16 million grant that the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH/NINDS) has awarded to researchers from Boston University, the Cleveland Clinic, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Overall, the project will involve a group of approximately 50 investigators, representing 17 research institutions. Exosome Sciences has agreed to test an exosomal tau biomarker (TauSome) that it has been advancing as a blood-based candidate to diagnose CTE.
“We are truly grateful that our colleagues at the Boston University CTE Center have expanded our opportunity to validate our Tausome biomarker as a candidate to detect and monitor CTE in living individuals,” stated Jim Joyce, Executive Chairman at Exosome Sciences and Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical.
Following its participation in the Diagnosing and Evaluating Traumatic Encephalopathy Using Clinical Tests (DETECT) study conducted by the Boston University CTE Center, Exosome Sciences also disclosed that it has agreed to provide follow-on TauSome testing to former NFL players who participated in that study. The DETECT study was the first research project on CTE to be funded by the NIH, with support from NINDS, the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The DETECT study enrolled former NFL players (ages 40-69) and same-age “control” athletes who played non-contact sports. A manuscript which details TauSome (exosomal tau) data resulting from the DETECT study is pending publication.
About CTE
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a disease of the brain found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive head impacts. This type of trauma can trigger progressive degeneration of the brain tissue, including the build-up of an abnormal form of a protein called tau. The brain degeneration is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and eventually progressive dementia. A study recently conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University found CTE in 87 of 91 examined brains (post-mortem autopsy) of former NFL players. At present, the diagnosis of CTE can only be made through post-mortem examination of brain tissue.
About Exosome Sciences
Exosome Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with majority shareholder Aethlon Medical (Nasdaq:AEMD), is focused on discovering exosomal biomarkers to diagnose and monitor Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders. Our TauSome biomarker (also referred to as exosomal tau) is being studied as the basis for a blood-based test to identify CTE through the DETECT Study being conducted by the Boston University CTE Center. TauSome detection and the use of a TauSome biomarker to identify and monitor CTE and other neurological disorders are protected by multiple patent applications. For more information, visit www.exosomesciences.com.
About Aethlon Medical, Inc.
Aethlon Medical creates affinity biofiltration devices to treat life-threatening diseases. The Aethlon Hemopurifier is a leading broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against infectious viral pathogens. The device, which has been successfully administered to individuals infected with HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV) and Ebola virus, is currently the subject of FDA approved clinical studies. Aethlon is also studying the potential use of the Hemopurifier to address exosomes secreted by tumors to promote the spread of metastasis and suppress the immune system of cancer patients. The Company provides government contracting services to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) related to the development of a biofiltration device to treat sepsis and maintains majority ownership of Exosome Sciences, Inc., which is focused on the discovery of exosomal biomarkers to diagnose and monitor Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders. For more information, visit www.AethlonMedical.com.
Source – Exosome Sciences, Inc.
