VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX), a multinational epigenetics company, announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the journal Critical Care Medicine demonstrating that its Nu.Q NETs H3.1 biomarker is an independent predictor of 28-day mortality and the need for renal replacement therapy in patients with sepsis and septic shock. The findings, which also indicate a dose-response relationship between biomarker levels and acute kidney injury severity, support the potential use of Nu.Q NETs for risk stratification and early intervention in these critically ill patients.
The study, which examined patients with sepsis and septic shock, found significantly higher Nu.Q NETs H3.1 levels in those with septic shock compared to those with sepsis alone. This association held even after adjusting for other clinical factors, suggesting that the biomarker could help clinicians anticipate disease progression and guide treatment decisions. The journal also published an independent editorial that explores H3.1 nucleosomes as a potential marker of NET-mediated organ injury, further highlighting the clinical relevance of this research.
VolitionRx believes these findings bolster ongoing commercial and licensing discussions for Nu.Q NETs, its nucleosome quantification technology designed to detect diseases associated with NETosis—a process where neutrophils release web-like structures that can contribute to organ damage. The company estimates a total addressable market of $2.8 billion for this technology, and the latest evidence adds to previous studies supporting its utility across acute and chronic conditions.
Dr. Andrew Retter, Medical Consultant at Volition, emphasized the potential impact: "Introducing Nu.Q NETs into hospitals, as a treatable, trackable trait, could lead to new ways of treating sepsis, improve patient survival and the quality of life of survivors." This aligns with Volition's broader mission to develop simple, cost-effective blood tests for early detection and monitoring of life-altering diseases, including sepsis and certain cancers.
The study's publication in a prestigious journal like Critical Care Medicine underscores the significance of this research in the medical community. Sepsis remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and tools that can predict outcomes and guide therapy are urgently needed. If validated in larger clinical settings, Nu.Q NETs could become a standard part of sepsis management, potentially saving lives and reducing long-term complications.
For more information about the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/RErhc. Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with offices in the U.S. and London. The company continues to advance its pipeline of epigenetic biomarkers, aiming to improve patient outcomes through earlier detection and monitoring.
