VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX), a multinational epigenetics company, has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the journal Critical Care Medicine demonstrating that its Nu.Q NETs H3.1 biomarker serves as an independent predictor of 28-day mortality and the need for renal replacement therapy in patients with sepsis and septic shock. The study, which examined levels of the biomarker, found significantly higher concentrations in septic shock patients compared to those with sepsis alone. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed between Nu.Q NETs H3.1 levels and the severity of acute kidney injury, suggesting that the biomarker could be instrumental in risk stratification and early intervention strategies.
The findings are particularly significant given that sepsis remains a leading cause of hospital mortality worldwide, with early detection and treatment being critical to improving patient outcomes. The study's results indicate that Nu.Q NETs H3.1 could help clinicians anticipate disease progression, guide treatment decisions, and monitor patients over time across acute and chronic conditions. This potential is underscored by an independent editorial published in the same journal, which explores H3.1 nucleosomes as a possible marker of NET-mediated organ injury, further validating the clinical relevance of this biomarker.
VolitionRx believes that these findings support ongoing commercial and licensing discussions for its Nu.Q NETs technology, which is designed to detect diseases associated with NETosis—a process involving the release of neutrophil extracellular traps that can contribute to organ damage. The company cites a total addressable market of $2.8 billion for this technology, and the latest evidence adds to previously published data supporting its clinical utility. Dr. Andrew Retter, Medical Consultant at Volition, highlighted 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."
For more information about Volition and its pipeline, visit the company's website at Volition. The full press release is available at IBN. This development is a step forward in the fight against sepsis, offering a potential tool to personalize patient care and improve outcomes in critical care settings.
