Genetic Testing May Predict Heart Disease for Women with Lupus

In a recent press release, AMPEL BioSolutions announced a new genetic test to predict heart disease risk for patients with lupus. Based on a Cell Reports Medicine publication, linked or shared genes may lead to lupus and cardiovascular disease. This is particularly important for females with lupus as the likelihood of having cardiovascular events increased by over 50 times for women with lupus when compared to women who do not have lupus.

The press release states, “AMPEL's breakthrough approach characterizes inherited genetic markers in blood samples that drive pathways that can be targeted by drugs. The CardioGENE lab test, only a concept for the last few years, is now ready for development for practical use as a decision support biomarker test.”

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, approximately five million people worldwide have lupus. Developing between the ages of 15 and 44, the disease predominantly affects women, with 90% of the population with lupus being women.

The researchers in the study concluded that a genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus was linked to a risk of coronary artery disease. Additionally, the researchers found causal implications between systemic lupus erythematosus and coronary artery disease through protein–protein interaction-based mendelian randomization.

"By leveraging the growing knowledge of lupus and cardiovascular disease genetics, this novel Mendelian randomization study provides new insights into the biological pathways and causal relationship between these two intertwined diseases. Ultimately, this information may lead to a deeper understanding of the relationship between these conditions, informing clinician care," said Carl Langefeld, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine.

A predictive tool will allow providers to assess better and treat patients struggling with lupus. Additionally, a predictive tool may reduce healthcare spending. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, the annual direct healthcare spending for a person with lupus is $33,223. Reducing complications associated with the disease, such as coronary artery disease, may help mitigate these costs.