EDIT-B® Clinical Validation
EDIT-B® Clinical Validation
Unlocking precision psychiatry: simple and swift blood test to differentiate depression and Bipolar Disorder in adults, surpassing 80% Sensitivity and Specificity
Scientific Journey
ALCEDIAG is committed to continually advancing science to better meet the needs of patients and partners. From its inception, it has embarked on a series of researches and studies to deepen the understanding of the connections between neuropsychiatry and RNA editing, consistently exploring how these elements can be leveraged innovatively in a pre-clinical or clinical context. The key milestones of ALCEDIAG’s scientific journey are described below, with all publications available here.
Work on Mood Disorders
Study in France – Montpellier University Hospital
Study Design
This study included 600 individuals diagnosed with depression and control subjects. The patients were recruited in Montpellier University hospital – Department of Psychiatry. The classification of depressed patients was based on scores obtained from the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-C30). Patients with bipolar disorder among the depressed group were evaluated by the clinician’s expertise (160 with unipolar depression, 95 with bipolar depression, and 12 with uncertain diagnosis).
Objectives
From a discovery cohort (n=57) of patients with depression and controls, 8 candidate biomarkers were selected using stringent criteria (significativity, performance, gene ontology, psychiatric disease association). The RNA editing differences for these biomarkers were compared between unipolar depressed, bipolar patients and control subjects. Using Artificial Intelligence an algorithm was created to discriminate between unipolar and bipolar depressed patients.
Limitations
All patients received heterogeneous treatments. Consequently, all results were adjusted for medication to mitigate potential biases. As a subsequent step, a further validation (in particular analytical) and external validation using a different cohort were necessary to confirm the performance of biomarkers.
Results & Key Findings
Discovery of a panel of biomarkers and algorithm: A panel of 8 RNA biomarkers involved in relevant pathways for mood disorders was identified alongside with an algorithm based on a machine learning process to differentiate unipolar depression from bipolar disorder.
Internal validation of the biomarkers and algorithm: The panel of eight biomarkers and algorithm were tested on a larger cohort of 255 depressed patients diagnosed with unipolar depression or bipolar disorder and showed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 85%.
Internal and external validation studies and work – Montpellier University Hospital (France) & Les Toises - Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Center (Switzerland)
Study Design
Objectives
The objective was to validate the algorithm model established in the initial cohort (see Study performed in Montpellier University Hospital) using a second, independent cohort.
Limitations
The individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder were, on average, older than those with unipolar depression (45 years vs. 36 years). Additionally, the study did not differentiate between bipolar sub-classifications (i.e., BD1 vs. BD2) and did not include individuals with low-severity depression states.
Results & Key Findings
- EDIT-B biomarkers and algorithm optimization: A optimized panel of biomarkers and algorithm were developed and validated internally on a first cohort (see Study performed in Montpellier University Hospital).
- EDIT-B biomarkers and algorithm validation: The panel of biomarkers and algorithm were internally and externally validated with a performance over 80%.
Study in Brazil – Sao Paolo University (UNIFEBS) and National Institute of Translational Medicine, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Study Design
This blinded, monocenter study included 40 subjects diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 47 control subjects. Based on scores from the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS-17), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), bipolar subjects were categorized into four distinct subgroups: euthymic (n = 17), depressed (n = 11), manic/hypomanic (n = 7), and mixed (n = 5). Prior to study inclusion, bipolar subjects had maintained stable medication for a minimum of two months.
Objectives
RNA editing biomarkers were compared between bipolar subgroups and control subjects. Significant biomarkers were combined, creating a unique RNA editing signature for each condition.
Limitations
This study had a limited sample size. In addition, subjects with bipolar disorder were older than controls (in mean, 45 vs. 35 years old).
Results & Key Findings
RNA editing, a key mechanism for bipolar disorder: This study highlights and confirms (alongside with the study described above) RNA editing as a mechanism participating in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
RNA editing and bipolar disorder in different ethnicities: This study confirms the relevance of RNA editing based biomarkers for different ethnicities than the ones performed by Alcediag in Europe.
Ongoing European multicenter Study
Study Design
This prospective multicenter study includes 436 participants diagnosed with moderate or severe depression, including individuals with unipolar depression or bipolar disorder recruited from four clinical centers in Europe: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (Spain – Principal investigator: Dr Eduard Vieta); GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences (France), Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (Spain), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen (Denmark). The assessment of patients with bipolar disorder within the depressed group is conducted based on the expertise of clinicians. This study is co-funded by EIT Health and the European commission. For more information, see project website.
Objectives
The objective is to ensure rapid adoption of EDIT-B and obtaining the CE mark under the new EU IVDR regulation 2017/746.
Timing
The 50% recruitment milestone was reached in November 2023, with the anticipated completion of recruitment in 2024.
Clinical utility study
Study Design
This study is a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial conducted in France, with 450 depressed patients and a 6-month follow-up period. The primary objective is to assess the impact of the EDIT-B test on the health status of individuals with unipolar depression and bipolar disorder.
Objectives
The study aims to generate valuable data for potential reimbursement of EDIT-B in France, with future considerations for other countries. This study is financed by the French Government within the Framework of France 2030 and by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France relance plan.
Timing
Recruitment is expected to start in 2024.