A new study has recently revealed that proteins can predict the development of many diseases. In this study, researchers measured thousands of proteins from blood droplets.
This study was recently published in Nature Medicine. In this study, researchers used the data from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP). It was the largest proteomics study to date. It measured around 3000 plasma proteins from over 40000 people. Researchers used advanced analytical techniques to identify the 5 to 20 proteins most crucial for the prediction of each disease. The protein data was linked to participants’ electronic health records.
When researchers observed the data, they found that protein signals can predict the development of 67 diseases. They can predict the risk of diseases such as multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, motor neuron disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Protein prediction models outperformed those based on standard clinical information, while predictions based on blood cell counts, cholesterol, kidney function, and diabetes tests performed less well.
This research offers new prediction possibilities for various diseases. It can also predict rarer ones that can take months or years to diagnose. But there is a need for further research to validate these findings in different populations including those with and without symptoms and different ethnic groups.
One of the researchers said that measuring specific proteins such as troponin to diagnose a heart attack is standard clinical practice.
Researchers are very excited about the potential to identify new markers for screening and diagnosis from thousands of proteins in human blood.
The use of large-scale proteomic technologies can help identify individuals at high risk for various diseases and improve drug discovery and development.
The results of this study clearly show that protein signals can effectively predict the risk of development of 67 diseases. Hence healthcare experts should consider this study and make some new strategies and treatments to reduce this risk. This can effectively reduce the risk of many health complications and save many lives.
