Interleukin Genetics Initiates Study Of IL-1 Variations and Incidence Of Early Stroke In Italian Pop
06/19/2006
INTERLEUKIN GENETICS INITIATES STUDY OF IL-1 VARIATIONS AND INCIDENCE OF EARLY STROKE IN ITALIAN POPULATION
Collaboration with Catholic University Seeks Genetic Link to Stroke at Young Age
WALTHAM, MA – June 19, 2006 - Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (AMEX:ILI) announced today that it is collaborating with Catholic University Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences in Campobasso, Italy to study the link between inflammation genetics and stroke affecting Italian men and women at a younger age.
“This study will further strengthen the scientific backbone of Interleukin’s core technology and genetic testing competencies and may support the development of new genetic tests that could provide important information about common diseases,” said Ken Kornman, DDS, CEO of Interleukin Genetics. “We are very excited to begin this study of stroke-related genetic indicators in Italy where studies have previously demonstrated a link between expression of interleukin-1 variants and early heart attack.
“Through this collaboration, we hope to determine if the genetic patterns associated with early stroke are the same as those associated with early heart attack,” Dr. Kornman continued. “This information could allow individuals who demonstrate genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease to consider lifestyle changes that may reduce their risk of having an early stroke.”
About the Study
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a growing concern in the Italian medical community, and, at 38% of all deaths according to World Health Organization statistics, is now the leading cause of death in Italy. In the collaborative program, researchers from Interleukin Genetics and Catholic University will determine how interleukin-1 (IL-1) genetic variations alter inflammation and predispose individuals who express them to stroke. Applying intellectual property owned by Interleukin Genetics that covers these IL-1 variations, the researchers will analyze genetic material from approximately 460 subjects, equally divided among individuals who have suffered a stroke at an early age, and controls. The researchers will look for unique IL-1 genetic patterns associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Dr. Licia Iacoviello of the Catholic University Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences is the principal investigator for the study.
The current study follows an earlier study by the same researchers that found significant correlation between IL-1 gene expression and early heart attack and stroke. That data was reported in the January, 2005 article “Polymorphisms of the Interleukin -1ß gene affect the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke at young age and the response of mononuclear cells to stimulation in vitro,” and was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. It is well established that inflammation is a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease including both AMI and stroke. Specific variations in the IL-1 gene family are associated with increases in C-reactive protein, a serum marker for systemic inflammation, as well as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at a younger age in Caucasians.
About Interleukin
Interleukin Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing personalized health products. The company uses functional genomics to help in the development of risk assessment tests, pharmacogenetic tests, nutritional and therapeutic products based on the genetic variations in people. Interleukin Genetics has commercialized genetic tests for periodontal disease risk assessment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and general nutrition assessment, and its current development programs focus on osteoporosis, and weight management. Interleukin expects that these programs will also lead to products that will personalize the selection of nutritional and therapeutic products and enable the managed care industry to improve patient care and better allocate resources. For more information about Interleukin and its ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com .
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements including statements regarding our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns and our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns, our ability to complete all of our key milestones with regard to Alticor programs, our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies and our ability to launch new commercial products and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
For Interleukin Genetics:
Janet Perry
(781) 398-0700