Identifying Metabolomic Markers of Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis
Principal Investigator: Vinod Chandran, D.M., Ph.D.
Institution: University Health Network
Grant Mechanism: Translational Research Grant
Funding Amount: $199,510
Project Start Date: August 1, 2024
Project End Date: July 31, 2026
Status: Active
Keywords: Psoriatic Arthritis, Biomarkers, Multi-omics
Project Summary:
It is important to accurately determine whether PsA patients are in low, moderate, or high disease activity so that treatment is appropriately tailored. However, current methods of assessing disease activity are imprecise. Our purpose is to confirm whether small molecules (metabolites) that we have previously identified reliably measure PsA disease activity. We aim to comprehensively analyze three datasets to identify high-priority metabolites and develop blood tests to quantify these metabolites. We will then confirm if these metabolites are able to accurately measure PsA disease activity over time. A test based on these metabolites will better measure PsA disease activity, leading to better outcomes for patients.
How will your project help improve the lives of the 125 million affected by psoriatic disease?
Currently, disease activity assessment is imprecise and may lead to inappropriate treatment decisions. By developing a test for accurately assessing disease activity, patients will be appropriately treated in a timely manner. This will lead to improved care and thus better outcomes. By gaining insights into the mechanisms that drive individual patient disease activity, we may identify novel disease targets. Thus, this study will have a significant impact on improving PsA patient outcomes.
Why is psoriatic disease research important to you, personally? What role will this award play in your research efforts or career development?
I have focused my research career on psoriatic disease for almost 20 years. As a clinician taking care of patients with PsA, I have experienced difficulties in diagnosing and managing PsA primarily due to the lack of objective markers. My research goal is to identify valid and reliable biomarkers for diagnosing, stratifying and choosing appropriate treatment for PsA. This award will further the development of disease activity markers and hence better psoriatic disease management.
Researcher Profile:
Vinod Chandran, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Chandran is a rheumatologist and a clinician-scientist with expertise on identifying soluble biomarkers for important clinical outcomes in psoriatic disease. Dr. Chandran’s research investigations focus on biomarker functional and mechanistic studies, integrative -omic approaches, including microbiomics, proteomics/peptidomics and metabolomics, and AI-assisted therapeutics. Dr. Chandran leads several knowledge translation efforts, including annual symposia on clinical care and research in psoriatic disease for patients, workshops for trainees and meetings for research scientists and industry partners to discuss the development of research programs. He is Co-vice President of the International Group for Research and Assessment of patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA). He is a section editor for 6 journals, reviewer for 80 journals, chair of the abstract review committee for the Canadian Rheumatology Association, an abstract reviewer for the American College of Rheumatology and a grant reviewer for 15 agencies. He has published 274 journal articles, 2 books, 7 book chapters and 405 conference abstracts (Google scholar: h-index 67).