An ultrasensitive blood test has been developed to identify Sjögren’s disease more than a decade before clinical symptoms appear, according to a study published in The Lancet Rheumatology. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Edinburgh and University Hospital Bonn, found that over 50% of patients with the autoimmune condition exhibit chronically elevated levels of interferon alpha (IFN-α), a protein linked to immune system dysfunction. This discovery could enable earlier intervention and personalized treatment for the disease, which affects approximately 500,000 people in the UK, with 90% of cases occurring in women. Clpmag
Ultrasensitive Blood Test Detects Sjögren’s Disease Decades Before Symptoms
Methodology and Protein Fingerprint Discovery
The study analyzed the immune systems of 170 patients with Sjögren’s disease, using an ultra-sensitive method to detect individual IFN-α molecules. Researchers found that 60% of patients had elevated IFN-α levels, which correlated with distinct gene activity patterns, creating a unique protein fingerprint
in the blood. This fingerprint was detectable more than 10 years before disease onset, as confirmed by analysis of 250 blood samples from the UK Biobank. Mouse models with high IFN-α levels developed Sjögren’s-like features and responded to a drug that blocked the protein’s effects, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. The Independent
Implications for Treatment and Disease Pathways
Funding and Collaborative Efforts
The research was funded by the Chief Scientist Office and Wellcome, with support from the Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland initiative. The team included scientists from the University of Edinburgh, University Hospital Bonn, Newcastle University, and University Hospital Dresden. This research is a vital step toward more personalized treatment for people with Sjögren’s disease,
said Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) for the Scottish Government. The study’s results aim to translate precision medicine technologies into routine NHS Scotland care. Clpmag
Challenges and Future Directions
While the blood test shows promise, the study emphasizes the need for further validation in larger populations. Researchers note that IFN-α’s role in disease progression varies, and not all patients may benefit from IFN-α-targeted therapies. The team plans to explore how the protein fingerprint can guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for the 4.3 million people globally affected by Sjögren’s disease. This is an important step toward making our ultrasensitive IFN-α blood test available to people affected by this condition,
said David Hunt, a professor at the University of Edinburgh.
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