TCR Diagnostics

Background:  Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent condition in dogs, affecting approximately 5% of the canine population.  The ability to confirm atopy is often a clinical challenge, since many other diseases may mimic atopy.  The development and commercialization of a diagnostic to help confirm atopic dermatitis and distinguish it from other diseases would be a substantial advantage for veterinary medicine.

NEW Diagnostic: IMULAN has discovered and developed a serum ELISA that cross reacts with antibodies that are elevated in certain disease states.   Recently, this biomarker has been shown to be dramatically elevated in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Results from Analysis: Serum samples (n=58) from dogs with atopic dermatitis (n=29) and from non-atopic dogs (n=29) were analyzed for titer cross-reactivity using the newly developed ELISA.  Dogs with atopic dermatitis had significantly (p<0.001) higher titers (7,683 +/- 1,732) compared to non atopic dogs (689 +/- 89) (graph).  Older atopic dogs often had slightly higher titers.  Cross reactivity was significantly (p = 0.0165) correlated with the age in atopic dogs but not in non-atopic dogs.

Diagnostic / Therapeutic Applications:  IMULAN is also developing a therapeutic immune modulator based on this T-Cell Receptor (TCR) peptide platform.  This diagnostic assay is intended to screen patients for treatment optimization with the TCR therapeutic immune modulator. 

Stage of Development: Several biomarkers have been screened, with an optimal sequence identified and used for the above referenced test.  The test is undergoing further evaluation, with eventual point of care diagnostic.

Proposed Benefits of the Diagnostic:  This diagnostic could potentially distinguish between atopic dermatitis and other dermatological diseases that manifest similar to atopy.  In addition, this test could permit the veterinarian to more accurately diagnose atopy earlier in the course of the disease.