Development of proteomic signatures of atherosclerosis burden

Can we capture atherosclerosis burden with blood-based proteomic signatures? In our latest work in Cardiovascular Research we describe the development of 4 Olink-based scores (AtheroBurden) that

👉 discriminate prevalent clinically diagnosed atherosclerotic disease
👉 change according to the number of clinically affected vascular beds
👉 are associated with carotid ultrasound–measured plaque burden
👉 predict future major adverse cardiovascular events among asymptomatic individuals
👉 improve risk discrimination (ΔC-index: +0.044) and reclassification beyond the established SCORE2 risk estimator
👉 show longitudinal changes that reflect baseline risk based on SCORE2 and future risk based on occurrence of incident cardiovascular events over 14 years.

Although atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death worldwide, we lack circulating biomarkers of systemic atherosclerosis burden beyond imaging techniques. Current risk stratification tools are based on risk factors and not direct evidence of atherosclerotic disease.

Blood-based signatures that truly capture atherosclerosis burden could offer a scalable solution for population-based screening and tracking cardiovascular risk, but also aid drug development as patient stratification tools or surrogate endpoints in trials of atheroprotective treatments.

Great work by Lanyue Zhang leading this effort!

https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/122/12/1589/8721402