Validating Epigenetic and Genetic Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Bladder Pain of Interstitial Cystitis
Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating condition that presents itself as a confusing array of symptoms, including bladder pain, urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, and small voided samples, in the absence of other identifiable ailments. Currently, diagnosing IC is largely dependent on subjective parameters, thereby leading to extreme difficulties in accurately phenotyping patients. There is no objective gold standard for IC diagnosis. In general, it takes approximately 4-5 years from the first office visit to obtain definitive diagnosis. Thus, differentiating IC from other conditions is still a diagnostic challenge, and objective diagnostic markers are urgently needed to improve prospects of clinical care. To address this need, we propose substantially building on our preliminary data and determining whether the candidate biomarkers we have identified are diagnostic indicators of IC. Our preliminary work has provided evidence suggesting that DNA methylation levels of specific genes may be capable of indicating IC in patients. In this proposed study, we will assess whether these promising epigenetic biomarkers can segregate IC patients from controls and whether they are potentially involved in IC-associated clinical symptoms, such as bladder pain. We will also validate ether gene expression of our biomarker candidates is correlated to health-related quality of life or other comorbid conditions. We believe that accurately identifying IC patients will provide patients and their physicians with the confidence to choose active management, which will then allow for improving quality of life and reducing costs. If these candidate markers prove to be noninvasive classifiers of IC, this study will be the basis for one more prospective clinical trials and thus will have direct relevance to improving patient care. To successfully conduct this project, our research team includes experts and leaders in clinical biomarker development, urology, bioinformatics, and biostatic analysis. This study will have significant clinical impact because the results may lead to clinical methods that will increase diagnostic accuracy and improve our understanding of the molecular origins of IC and its relationship to urological conditions with overlapping symptoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910109
Entities
People
- Jayoung Kim
Organizations
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- United States Army