image: EpiSign uses an Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC bead chip array to analyze DNA methylation at hundreds of thousands of loci across the genome. view more
Credit: GGC
(GREENWOOD, SC) April 1, 2019 - Greenwood Diagnostic Laboratories at the Greenwood Genetic Center, in collaboration with London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), announce the launch of a new diagnostic test focused on disease-specific epigenetic signatures. The test, EpiSign, which is performed on a peripheral blood sample, analyzes DNA methylation patterns of the genome to establish a diagnosis or help resolve variants of uncertain significance (VUS) found through DNA testing.
To date, combined efforts have identified unique methylation patterns, known as epigenetic signatures, for 19 genetic disorders including CHARGE syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, Down syndrome, Kabuki syndrome, Sotos syndrome, Williams syndrome, ATRX syndrome, autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia with deafness and narcolepsy (ADCADN), BAFopathies (Coffin-Siris syndrome , Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, Chr6q25del), Claes-Jensen syndrome, Genitopatellar syndrome, Floating Harbor syndrome, ADNP-related syndrome/Hellsmoortel-VanDerAa syndrome, and Chr7q11.23dup.
EpiSign uses an Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC bead chip array to analyze DNA methylation at hundreds of thousands of loci across the genome. A computational model has been developed to interpret the data and provide the concurrent identification of the syndromes that have been associated with unique epigenetic signatures. The list of syndromes for which this test is useful continues to grow.
"Current diagnostic technologies such as microarray and whole exome sequencing are not able to assess non-coding and more complex variants, and cannot provide information on epigenetic changes," said Bekim Sadikovic, PhD, DABMG FACMG, Division Head, Molecular Diagnostics, LHSC; and Associate Professor, PaLM, Western University, who leads the epigenetic signature research. "This technology provides a new level of analysis beyond the genome."
EpiSign data can also detect imprinting defects as well as altered methylation patterns in trinucleotide repeat expansions, making it useful for patients with a suspected diagnoses of disorders such as Fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
"The power of this technology lies in the ability to resolve diagnoses for patients with clinical uncertainty, some of whom have unclear phenotypic features, and others who may have a VUS in an associated gene," said Mike Friez, PhD, FACMG, Director of Greenwood Diagnostic Laboratories at the Greenwood Genetic Center.
Epigenetic variants have also been found with increased frequency in patients with unexplained intellectual disability (ID) and/or congenital anomalies (CA), and they have been shown to influence gene expression similarly to sequence variants.
Friez noted that achieving an accurate diagnosis for conditions involving ID and/or CA can be challenging, "These phenotypes are often associated with variable, complex and overlapping features. Even with advanced sequencing and powerful array technology, the current diagnostic yield for these patients is between 42-62%, leaving many without a clear diagnosis. EpiSign is another tool now at the clinician's disposal to help end the diagnostic odyssey for many families."
Sadikovic will present an update on epigenetic signatures at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Annual Meeting in Seattle on Thursday, April 4th.
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Greenwood Diagnostic Laboratories will begin accepting clinical samples for EpiSign on April 8, 2019. For more information visit http://www.ggc.org/EpiSign
About Greenwood Genetic Center
The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization advancing the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects. At its home campus in Greenwood, South Carolina, a talented team of physicians and scientists provides clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing, educational programs and resources, and research in the field of medical genetics. GGC's faculty and staff are committed to the goal of developing preventive and curative therapies for the individuals and families they serve. GGC extends its reach as a resource to all residents of South Carolina with satellite offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence and Greenville. The GGC Foundation provides philanthropic financial support for the mission of the Center. For more information about GGC or the GGC Foundation please visit http://www.ggc.org.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 144 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes - Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 70 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital's nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit http://www.lhsc.on.ca