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ME/CFS Alert Episode 74: Dr. Mady Hornig (Part 2)

justy

Donate Advocate Demonstrate
Messages
5,524
Location
U.K
So they are looking at their cytokine work as a biomarker - but I guess only for patients ill less than 3 years.
 

justy

Donate Advocate Demonstrate
Messages
5,524
Location
U.K
With the right funding they could turn this into a biomarker in two years - they need a LOT of money for this.
 

alex3619

Senior Member
Messages
13,810
Location
Logan, Queensland, Australia
So they are looking at their cytokine work as a biomarker - but I guess only for patients ill less than 3 years.
As I understand it the point is to follow patients in the early phase and see what happens, how it changes. This may show the transition mechanisms, or at least features of a change to the longer term condition.
 

Scarecrow

Revolting Peasant
Messages
1,904
Location
Scotland
So they are looking at their cytokine work as a biomarker - but I guess only for patients ill less than 3 years.
The same cytokines that were elevated in short duration patients were dampened in long duration patients, so if the findings of the initial study are validated and a panel test is developed, it could still be used for long duration patients to confirm diagnosis, which would probably help with insurance claims etc.

Of course a test might allow faster and more confidant diagnosis in very short duration patients, which would certainly be a great benefit.
 

duncan

Senior Member
Messages
2,240
I suspect the priority will be given to early stages, i.e. those within the first three years.

I think those who have been sicker, longer, will have a tougher path in attracting research - a process which will include overcoming opposition.

I'm not quite sure they even demonstrated that post-three years translated into immune system exhaustion or collapse or even just misfiring. I think they insinuated that, but in terms of hard data that could be reproduced, I'm not so sure.

I hope I am wrong, but I gotta believe any action, at least "early" action, will be limited to the early stage population.

That's still a better proposition than exists today, and perhaps a better chance for those who follow.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
She talked about the possibility of a progressive decrease in the levels of these cytokines the longer a patient is sick. I was recently tested for about 5 of these cytokines and mine were not just mildly depressed, but extremely depressed--for what it is worth!

Sushi
 

duncan

Senior Member
Messages
2,240
It's worth a lot.

But even if their findings post-three years were actionable, and I fear they were not, I think there may be resistance to acknowledging late stage patients. Individuals stricken with ME longer, present with more expensive conditions: more expensive to treat, more expensive to move over to disability,etc. Or at least it might appear that way to interests like insurance lobbies. Also, there is arguably a better chance at success for researchers in the earlier state. Why research a low-yield, or certainly what may prove to be no-win scenario?

Patients with earlier progression of the disease can be championed at a discounted rate, with a greater chance of a good return on investment.