Perfect donor and recipient match thanks to Polish geneticists

"Our test analyses all the genes and systems, achieving a perfect reliability. We are able to match the most compatible donors and recipients, which translates into the effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation and reduced cost" - said Jacek Wojciechowicz, CEO of Poznan\'s DNA Research Centre.

The project "Innovative genetic tests based on NGS technologies" began in 2012. The National Centre for Research and Development has allocated PLN 3 million 187 thousand funding to the creation, evaluation and implementation of HLA (histocompatibility) tests. All activities are worth PLN 4 million 268 thousand.

In the case of certain blood cancers bone marrow transplantation is the only way to save the patient’s life. Prior to the surgery, the doctors must be certain that the transplant material donor and the recipient (patient), are genetically similar. For this purpose, donor and recipient are profiled: genetic tests are performed to determine the most compliant profile. The genes responsible for tissue-typing systems should be the best possible match. One hundred percent tissue compatibility is almost a guarantee of success in transplantation - the patient will survive, and there will be no need for another blood transfusion.

"Currently, tests are done based on nine most common histocompatibility systems. The reliability of these tests reaches 60-70 percent. Tests are performed using blood, it may be umbilical cord blood, as well as bone marrow or cheek swab. At this time, genetic testing technology has advanced to the point that in one test we are able to examine all the genes responsible for tissue compatibility, using next generation sequencing" - explained Jacek Wojciechowicz.

The difference between 60 and 100 percent reliability is quite large. How did a Polish company manage to develop such an innovative test?

"Three years ago the NGS technology - Next Generation Sequencing - appeared on the market. It allows to analyse hundreds of genes in a single test. However, the sequencing itself is not enough, because we get a lot of data; we need good bioinformatic processing. We want to market our innovation in August. We will offer it to stem cell banks and blood banks" - explained the CEO of DNA Research Centre.

The test must be validated, tested in practice and compared with current tools. To that end, the company cooperates with the Oncology Centre in Warsaw, specifically with Umbilical Cord Blood Bank of this institute. The research performed here is based on less sensitive, less advanced tests that are routinely used in the world. Professors will compare both tests and confirm their effectiveness on the basis of clinical samples. According to Wojciechowicz, such procedure is sufficient to introduce a medical product into practice.

"We also want to register it as a medical product to be able to offer it to other laboratories in the world as a finished product, a histocompatibility test packaged in a box. It takes time. However, in contrast, will be able to start offering laboratory services ourselves already in August, after passing validation on clinical samples" - said Wojciechowicz.

He added that his company is a supplier of technology, which means they developed the tests, but without the support of scientists the project could not be verified. The company is implementing the project in a consortium with the Oncology Centre in Warsaw and the Institute of Rheumatology in Warsaw. Institute of Rheumatology selected the genes responsible for all possible histocompatibility (HLA class) systems, all possible variants that can be tested with the innovative test.

So far, consortium members performed tasks for which the Institute of Rheumatology received PLN 600 thousand, and the Oncology Centre - PLN 150 thousand. Cooperation with academic institutions will not end at the stage of validation, they will still assess the value of this test in practice and prepare a publication on the subject. The three parties to the agreement till patent the test together.

"We are already in talks with umbilical cord blood and stem cell banks; providing services for them will be possible after the test is implemented. Poland is a relatively small market, and we have created a universal test, we want to patent it in the future. Genetic profile of every donor who gives blood or bone marrow to a bank should be tested as comprehensively as possible. Resulting information should be available to physicians all over the world in a global database" - concluded Wojciechowicz.

The company was founded by researchers at the Poznań Science and Technology Park in 2006. It is based on the know-how of researchers who have implemented innovative tests used in the diagnosis of diseases spread by ticks. The team consists of nearly 30 people, the company employees collaborate with researchers from universities in Poznań and Warsaw. Together with other companies with a similar business profile, DNA Research Centre forms capital group of technology companies Inno-Gene, publicly traded on New Connect.

PAP - Science in Poland, Karolina Olszewska

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