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REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 18, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Scientists from deCODE genetics have developed a predictor based on protein

measurements in blood samples that predicts  the time to all-cause  death

better than traditional risk factors.

In a paper published today in Communications Biology, scientists from deCODE

genetics, a subsidiary of Amgen, describe how they developed  predictor of how

much is left of the life of a person.

Using a dataset of ~5000 protein measurements in 22,913 Icelanders, of whom

7,061 died during the study period, the scientists developed a  predictor of

the time to death that can outperform  predictors based on multiple known  risk

factors. The predictor can identify the 5% at highest risk in a group of 60-80

year olds, where 88% died within ten years and the 5% at lowest risk where only

1% died within ten years.

The scientists explored how individual proteins associate with mortality and

various causes of death and found most causes of death to have similar protein

profiles. In particular, they found growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15),

which has been associated with mortality and ageing before, to be an important

predictor of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, they found that, on average,

participants predicted at high risk of death within a short period of time had

less grip strength and performed worse on an exercise tolerance test and a test

of cognitive function than those predicted at lower risk.

"The predictor gives a good estimate of general health from a single blood

draw," says Thjodbjorg Eiriksdottir scientist at deCODE genetics and author on

the paper.

"This is pretty cool but also scary and hopefully somewhat useful", says  Kari

Stefansson a senior author on the paper . "This shows that our general health

is reflected in the plasma proteome. Using just one blood sample per person you

can easily compare large groups in a standardized way, for example, to estimate

treatment effects in clinical trials."

Based in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE is a global leader in analyzing and

understanding the human genome. Using its unique expertise in human genetics

combined with growing expertise in transcriptomics and population proteomics

and vast amount of phenotypic data, deCODE has discovered risk factors for

dozens of common diseases and provided key insights into their pathogenesis.

The purpose of understanding the genetics of disease is to use that information

to create new means of diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. deCODE is a

wholly-owned subsidiary of Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN).

Contact:

Thora Kristin Asgeirsdottir

PR and Communications

deCODE genetics  

thoraa@decode.is  

354 894 1909

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Source: deCODE genetics