The proteins in a drop of blood can be used to detect dozens of diseases Individual protein “signatures” can predict 67 diseases The test could help detect disease early and boost drug development TUESDAY, July 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A single drop of blood might be able to predict the onset of dozens of diseases, a new study claims. Analysis of the protein “signatures” in a droplet of blood can predict 67 diseases, including blood , degenerative nerve diseases, lung disease and heart failure, researchers reported July 22 in the journal For the study, researchers analyzed the blood proteins of more than 40,000 randomly selected participants in the ongoing UK Biobank study. Looking at the participants’ electronic health records, researchers pinpointed 5 to 20 proteins most closely associated with each disease.
These protein “signatures” outperformed other standard tests that used measures like blood cell counts, cholesterol levels, kidney function and blood sugar levels to predict the 67 diseases, researchers report. “Several of our protein signatures performed similar or even better than proteins already trialled for their potential as screening tests, such as prostate specific antigen for prostate cancer,” said lead researcher , a postdoctoral researcher with the Precision Healthcare University Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London. “We are therefore extremely excited about the opportunities that our protein signatures may have for ea.