Premium
VS03
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM: INSIGHT INTO PATHOGENESIS, BIOMARKERS AND TARGETS FOR MEDICAL THERAPY
Author(s) -
Golledge J.,
Clancy P.,
Cullen B.,
Moran C.,
Muller J.,
Norman P. E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04134_3.x
Subject(s) - medicine , osteopontin , abdominal aortic aneurysm , pathogenesis , medical therapy , osteoprotegerin , presentation (obstetrics) , bioinformatics , targeted therapy , aortic aneurysm , aneurysm , pathology , radiology , cancer , receptor , activator (genetics) , biology
Purpose Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common cause of mortality and at present no drug therapy is available. This presentation describes on‐going work to improve diagnosis, knowledge of the pathogenesis and identify targets for drug therapy. Methodology A number of approaches are being utilised including:i) Assessment of serum and genetic markers of AAA presence and growth. ii) Examination of human AAA biopsies. iii) Investigation of a mouse model of AAA.Results A number of potential biomarkers for AAA have been identified including osteoprotegerin and osteopontin, although at present their accuracy appears to be insufficient for clinical use. Utilising human AAA explants and a mouse model a potential pathway of slowing AAA growth has been identified. Further studies are needed to clarify the value of this approach. Conclusions Utilising the combined approaches described in this presentation it is envisaged that important biomarkers and pathways of slowing AAA growth will be identified.