A blood test already used to help screen for heart problems won U.S. approval to help predict a patient’s risk for stroke, officials for the firm that makes it said Friday.
The PLAC test, made by privately held diaDexus, scans the blood for high levels of the protein lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-Pla2), which studies found were more common in stroke patients.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc holds a partial stake in the biotech firm, which it co-founded in 1997 as SmithKline Beecham along with Incyte Genomics, which is now known as Incyte Corp.
Dr. Christie Ballantyne, who led a major study on the protein, said that while a test for heart disease risk is good, doctors are fairly adept at treating such problems.
“But when you have a stroke, it’s a little late,” said Ballantyne, head of preventative cardiology at Methodist DeBakey Heart Center in Texas. Doctors are getting better at treating strokes, he added.
According to the NIH, about 700,000 strokes occur each year in the United States. Most are ischemic — caused by a block of blood flow to the brain — and can cause speech problems, memory loss and loss of movement.
They also can reoccur. About 25 percent of recovering patients suffer another stroke within 5 years, the NIH said.
The study followed a patient sample culled from a pool of 12,773 for about 6 years. During that time, 194 people suffered an ischemic stroke, while 812 did not. Researchers found levels of the protein were higher in the resulting stroke cases.
The National Institutes of Health and GlaxoSmithKline funded the study.
“The PLAC test provides new information, over and above traditional risk factors,” said diaDexus Chief Executive Officer Patrick Plewman.
Such factors can include diabetes, heart disease, heavy alcohol or drug use and cigarette smoking, among others.
DiaDexus’ test is important for Glaxo, which is studying three compounds that could curb the protein and reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular disorders.
The test, first approved for heart disease in 2003, will be available through national laboratories, including Quest Diagnostics Inc.
Shares of Quest closed up $1.05, or nearly 1 percent, at $107.36 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.
Glaxo shares were nearly unchanged, closing up 5 cents at $49.03 Friday, also on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Incyte closed up 7 cents, or nearly 1 percent, at $7.14 on the Nasdaq.
