Glasgow, UK – In a groundbreaking research study presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, scientists have demonstrated the effectiveness of combining blood biomarkers with genomic information to accurately predict the risk of developing common diseases. The study, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Barrett and his team at Nightingale Health in Helsinki, Finland, represents the largest dataset of its kind, involving over 500,000 participants from the UK and Estonia biobanks.
The research focused on measuring more than 200 biomarkers in blood samples and analyzing genomic information to build predictive models for nine prevalent diseases: ischaemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, depression, liver disease, and colon cancer. These diseases are responsible for a significant portion of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the European region, imposing substantial suffering and healthcare costs.
The findings of the study revealed that both genetics and blood biomarkers provided valuable information about disease risk, even up to ten years in advance. Remarkably, blood biomarkers consistently outperformed genetic data in predicting disease risk. For instance, individuals identified as having the highest risk of lung cancer based on biomarkers had four times the risk compared to the average person, whereas those identified based on genetics alone had only 1.8 times the risk. Similarly, for liver disease, the biomarker-based prediction indicated a tenfold higher risk, compared to just a twofold increase based on genetics.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that blood biomarkers were particularly effective in predicting near-term risk, such as within two to four years. This observation suggests a direct association between the measured biomarkers and the pre-symptomatic phase of the diseases studied. The implications of these findings are significant, especially in the face of limited healthcare resources and the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases among aging populations.
Dr. Barrett and his team believe that their research demonstrates how easily accessible blood tests can be leveraged for population-wide preventive health strategies. By identifying individuals at the highest risk of various diseases and offering them targeted interventions, healthcare systems can not only improve health outcomes but also alleviate the financial burden associated with managing these conditions.
Dr. Barrett expressed his surprise at the broad applicability of their approach, emphasizing how a single blood test can capture diverse metabolic functions and yield substantial insights into different aspects of human health. Moreover, the researchers noted that their predictions remained highly consistent across multiple biobanks, indicating the robustness and generalizability of their findings. This highlights the potential for biomarker scores to be effectively implemented in routine medical practice.
As healthcare systems grapple with increasing costs and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the integration of blood biomarkers and genomic information presents a promising avenue for early intervention and targeted prevention. With the ability to identify individuals at the highest risk of common diseases, healthcare providers can now offer personalized strategies to mitigate risks, improve overall health, and ultimately reduce the strain on healthcare systems.
The results of this pioneering study pave the way for a future where preventive measures can be tailored to individuals based on their unique genetic and biomarker profiles, leading to healthier populations and more efficient healthcare delivery.
