Utilizing Global Proteomics and Biomarker Research to Advance Alzheimer Precision Medicine: Fiona Elwood, PhD

WATCH TIME: 7 minutes

"We’ve identified three distinct subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease that align with different core biology based on the types of proteins that are dysregulated."

Even as the knowledge profile of Alzheimer disease (AD) continues to grow, there are still unknown molecular aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease. In recent years, the number of proteomic studies that examine the protein changes in AD brain tissue has been increasing.

At the recently concluded 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), held July 28-August 1, investigators from Johnson & Johnson presented a large-scale analysis of protein changes associated with neurodegenerative disorders using data from the Global Neurodegeneration Proteomics Consortium (GNPC). The presentations showcased research validated the phosphorylated tau (p-tau)217 assay across various global patient cohorts to assess its performance beyond clinical trial populations.

The 2 abstracts also covered data that identified 3 distinct subtypes based on proteomic fingerprints. The research, supported by multiple global studies, suggests that AD can be staged and subtyped more accurately, leading to more personalized strategies. Following the meeting, Fiona Elwood, PhD, disease area stronghold leader in neurodegeneration at Johnson & Johnson, sat down to discuss the GNPC and the supportive data presented at AAIC 2024.

In the conversation, Elwood highlights recent advances in understanding AD pathology, specifically through proteomics and the identification of tau protein fragments. In addition, she described the significance of shift from postmortem pathology to PET imaging and now to blood-based biomarkers. Overall, Elwood stressed that there is potential to treat patients more precisely through individual biological profiles.

Click here for more coverage of AAIC 2024.

REFERENCES
1. Smets B, Khan A, Greene J, et al. Large-scale proteomics to enable precision medicine for Alzheimer disease. Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference; July 28-August 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA.
2. Gargas T, Hou L, Wrzesinski T, et al. Identification of cross-diagnostic protein signatures and subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases using multi-task deep learning on the UK Biobank proteomics dataset. Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference; July 28-August 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA.