ScoliScore
Encyclopedia
The ScoliScore AIS Prognostic Test is a genetic
test, which analyzes the DNA
of patients who are diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
, the most common type of scoliosis. The test shows the likelihood of spinal curve progression. In other words, it helps doctors and patients to see how likely it is that a patient's spine
will become more curved and whether it is likely that the patient will eventually need surgery
or other interventions.
Approximately 85-90% of patients initially diagnosed with AIS will never have their mild scoliotic curve progress to a magnitude that requires surgical treatment. The test results may be used to predict, with over 99% probability, when a mild scoliotic curve is unlikely to progress to the point of requiring surgical treatment. This knowledge can obviate the need for these patients to undergo numerous office visits and exposure to radiographic imaging over many years to monitor potential curve progression. The ScoliScore test is a powerful tool, which helps physicians predict spinal curvature through one test, accomplishing what was previously only possible through years of observation.
The ScoliScore test was developed by geneticists at Axial Biotech, Inc. in Salt Lake City and it is distributed commercially by DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson
company. It was made available in a few physicians offices in September, 2009, and will be commercially launched in 2010.
The genetic research behind the clinically validated ScoliScore AIS Prognostic Test began in 2003, as researchers explored the entire human genome searching for genes that were linked to Scoliosis. DNA samples from over 9,000 patients from 85 clinics worldwide were analyzed. The researchers identified 53 genetic markers (or mistakes in the DNA) that are linked to AIS.
Today, lab workers use special equipment to read each of those 53 genetic markers for all patients who take the ScoliScore test. The test results are given in a ScoliScore, a numerical value that corresponds to the likelihood of curve progression. Each ScoliScore falls into one of three categories, mild risk, intermediate risk, or severe risk of curve progression.
The test is indicated for male
and female
patients diagnosed with Mild (10-25º Cobb angle
) Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) who are from 9 to 13 years of age and who are self-reported as Caucasian (including patients of North American, South American, European, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, or Southwest Asian descent.)
For more information on ScoliScore go to: http://www.axialbiotech.com/
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
test, which analyzes the DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
of patients who are diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an X-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line...
, the most common type of scoliosis. The test shows the likelihood of spinal curve progression. In other words, it helps doctors and patients to see how likely it is that a patient's spine
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
will become more curved and whether it is likely that the patient will eventually need surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
or other interventions.
Approximately 85-90% of patients initially diagnosed with AIS will never have their mild scoliotic curve progress to a magnitude that requires surgical treatment. The test results may be used to predict, with over 99% probability, when a mild scoliotic curve is unlikely to progress to the point of requiring surgical treatment. This knowledge can obviate the need for these patients to undergo numerous office visits and exposure to radiographic imaging over many years to monitor potential curve progression. The ScoliScore test is a powerful tool, which helps physicians predict spinal curvature through one test, accomplishing what was previously only possible through years of observation.
The ScoliScore test was developed by geneticists at Axial Biotech, Inc. in Salt Lake City and it is distributed commercially by DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
company. It was made available in a few physicians offices in September, 2009, and will be commercially launched in 2010.
The genetic research behind the clinically validated ScoliScore AIS Prognostic Test began in 2003, as researchers explored the entire human genome searching for genes that were linked to Scoliosis. DNA samples from over 9,000 patients from 85 clinics worldwide were analyzed. The researchers identified 53 genetic markers (or mistakes in the DNA) that are linked to AIS.
Today, lab workers use special equipment to read each of those 53 genetic markers for all patients who take the ScoliScore test. The test results are given in a ScoliScore, a numerical value that corresponds to the likelihood of curve progression. Each ScoliScore falls into one of three categories, mild risk, intermediate risk, or severe risk of curve progression.
The test is indicated for male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
and female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
patients diagnosed with Mild (10-25º Cobb angle
Cobb angle
The Cobb angle, named after the American orthopedic surgeon John Robert Cobb , was originally used to measure coronal plane deformity on antero-posterior plain radiographs in the classification of scoliosis...
) Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) who are from 9 to 13 years of age and who are self-reported as Caucasian (including patients of North American, South American, European, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, or Southwest Asian descent.)
For more information on ScoliScore go to: http://www.axialbiotech.com/