BIOMARKERS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF OCULAR DISEASES AND THE METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to the quantification of various biomarkers, including MMP9 (Inflammatory marker), LOX (Lysyl oxidase), IL6 (Interleukin-6), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1) in aqueous humor, vitreous humor, tear and serum of patients with ocular diseases. The invention further describes the role of biomarkers in the pathogenesis, progression of ocular diseases. Hence, the level of biomarkers serves as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker in ocular diseases. The invention further relates to the use of multiple biomarkers that can be simultaneously used for testing various corneal and retinal diseases.

Claims

1. Biomarkers to identify the risk of ocular diseases, wherein: a. the biomarkers are quantified to be used to diagnose and prognosticate ocular diseases; and b. the biomarker is quantified in a fluid of a human.

2. The biomarker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biomarker is selected from a group comprising MMP9 (Inflammatory marker), LOX (Lysyl oxidase), IL6 (Interleukin-6), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1).

3. The biomarker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is selected from a group comprising tear, aqueous humor, vitreous humor and serum.

4. The biomarker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ocular conditions are selected from a group comprising of dry eye disease (DED), retinal angiogenic diseases Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Age-related macular degenetation (AMD), retinal vein occlusive diseases (CRVO, BRVO, CRAO and BRAO), Dysfunctional tear syndromes (DTS), predisposition to Corneal Ectasia Dysfunctional tear syndromes (DTS), and Keratoconus (KC).

5. The biomarker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the levels of biomarkers are high in patient with ocular diseases.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates the levels of MMP-9, IL6 and TNFα in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the levels of IL-6 in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates the levels of TNFα in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the reduced levels of LOX activity in the tears of KC patients.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates the increased levels of indicated interleukins, cytokines, chemokines and other soluble factors in the tears of DED patients.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the VEGF in the aqueous humor of diabetic patients without vision problems and diabetic retinopathy patients.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In order to make the matter of the invention clear and concise, the following definitions are provided for specific terms used in the following description.

[0023] The term “Diagnostic Biomarker” refers to a chemical/biological/physical entity which by means of specific reactions assists in qualitative and quantitative analysis of the disease.

[0024] The term “Prognostic Biomarker” refers to a chemical/biological/physical entity that provides information about the status of a specific disease in either untreated or treated individuals with the aim of determining the course of the condition or therapeutic response thereof.

[0025] The present invention relates to quantification of various biomarkers such as of LOX, MMP9, IL6, TNFα, ICAM1, VEGF, IL6 and TNFα in aqueous humor, vitreous humor, tear and plasma, which helps in diagnosis and also in determining the prognosis of various ocular diseases.

[0026] The invention relates to identification of biomarkers as diagnostic or prognostic markers in analysis of progression of the ocular diseases. The biomarkers are analyzed in fluids such as aqueous humor, vitreous humor, tear and serum of patients with ocular diseases.

[0027] The invention utilizes any existing method for quantitative immunodetection of multiple biomarkers for corneal and retinal diseases. The sample extracted from the fluids obtained from patients is added to the sample input area. The biomarkers in the sample complex are measured with the detection probe and associated hardware. The estimated levels of the biomarkers are compared to established standards and a quantitative or semi-quantitative readout as provided by the measurement device.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the levels of MMP-9 IL6 and TNFα in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC. Tear protein levels of MMP9, IL6 and TNFα correlate with KC and progression of the disease.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates the levels of IL-6 in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC. The levels of IL-6 are increased in patients and correlated with the progression of the disease.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the levels of TNFα in the tears of KC patients with different grades of KC. The levels of TNFα in tears are increased in patients in KC and correlated with the progression of the disease.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the reduced levels of LOX activity in the tears of KC patients. The LOX activity in tears is reduced in patients in KC.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates the increased levels of indicated interleukins, cytokines, chemokines and other soluble factors in the tears of DED patients.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates the VEGF in the aqueous humor of diabetic patients without vision problems and diabetic retinopathy patients. However, the elevated VEGF levels are treated using anti-VEGF therapy.

[0034] The invention thus describes that higher levels of biomarkers are found in aqueous humor, vitreous humor, tear and plasma of patients with ocular diseases. Biomarkers levels are altered (higher or lower) in the fluid samples of patients with corneal and retinal diseases. Hence, indicating a vital role of biomarkers in the pathogenesis and progression of ocular diseases.