A prospective study of 674 trauma patients found that circulating nucleosome concentrations were higher in those who developed venous thromboembolism, pointing to a potential new biomarker for early risk identification.

A Mayo Clinic study has found that circulating nucleosome levels are elevated in trauma patients—and are even higher in those who go on to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE), suggesting these biomarkers could play a meaningful role in early risk stratification and preventive care in emergency and surgical settings.

The prospective case-cohort study, titled “Circulating nucleosomes are elevated in trauma patients with venous thromboembolism,” analyzed 674 trauma patients and measured concentrations of two nucleosome variants—H3.1 and H3R8 Citrulline—using VolitionRx‘s Nu.Q nucleosome detection assay platform.

“The identification of reliable biomarkers in trauma patients is a clinical challenge and remains an unmet need in the emergency and surgical setting,” says Myung S. Park, MD, professor of surgery, associate medical director of research, trauma center, at Mayo Clinic, and the study’s principal investigator and senior author, in a release. “In this study we analyzed 674 trauma patients and found that levels of the H3.1 and H3R8 Citrulline nucleosomes are elevated early after traumatic injury, especially in those who developed venous thromboembolism.”

Park notes that the study’s findings shed light on the underlying biological mechanisms driving these clotting complications. “These findings underscore the importance of understanding the pathophysiology of nucleosomes in inducing venous thromboembolism and their role as biomarkers,” he says in a release. “These biomarkers could aid in early risk identification and may inform targeted preventive strategies in trauma care.”

Nucleosomes—complexes of DNA wrapped around histone proteins—are released into the bloodstream following cell death and tissue damage. In trauma, elevated circulating nucleosome levels reflect the degree of cellular injury and have been linked to activation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways, including the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a process implicated in thrombosis.

Andrew Retter, MD, medical consultant at Volition, says the peer-reviewed publication strengthens the commercial case for the company’s Nu.Q NETs product line. “This is significant, not only for clinicians, patients and their families, but also for Volition: a peer-reviewed publication with the Mayo Clinic research team strongly supports our efforts to commercialize our Nu.Q NETs product,” he says in a release.

Retter also pointed to a broader body of evidence supporting the platform’s clinical utility. “This study, together with previously published evidence, demonstrates that Nu.Q NETs may enable clinicians and researchers to anticipate disease, guide treatment decisions, and monitor patients over time, across acute and chronic conditions,” he says in a release.

Park indicated that the Mayo Clinic team intends to continue its collaboration with Volition. “We have continued to work with the Volition team and look forward to publishing further findings,” he says in a release.

ID 42488480 © Wayne Mckown | Dreamstime.com

Related Reading: