Genetic Variations Identify Predisposition and Risks of Progression of Vertebral Fracture in US-Caucasian Women
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interleukin Genetics, Inc. , announced today that Nazneen Aziz, Ph.D., the company's Vice President of Research and Development, will present new research findings on the genetics of osteoporosis at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, which takes place from Nov. 11-15, 2008, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Aziz will present poster #2146 on Nov. 13, at the poster session from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in Exhibit Hall C.
The title of the presentation is "Association of vertebral fracture with vertebral fracture with Interleukin gene polymorphisms in a large case-control study" highlighting new findings on genetic predisposition risk factors in Caucasian women for vertebral fractures. This study is a collaboration with the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF), multi-center study on osteoporosis and aging in women greater than or equal to age 65. In addition to adjudication of fractures, SOF has tracked cases of incident breast cancer, stroke, and total and cause-specific mortality. The data include serial measures of bone mineral density, measurements of sex and calcitropic hormones, tests of strength and function, cognitive exams, use of medication, health habits and much more. In 1986, SOF enrolled 9,704 primarily Caucasian women and continues to track these women with clinical visits every two years.
Dr. Aziz commented, "This information should be valuable in guiding the medical management of high-risk patients and in smarter design of clinical trial for the enrollment of patients who are at risk for vertebral fractures in trials of investigational new drugs."
About Osteoporosis
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity. Approximately eight million US women are estimated to have osteoporosis and 22 million are at risk of the disease. While women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis.
About Interleukin Genetics
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. , is a healthcare company that specializes in the development of genetic biomarker tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. The Company is focused on the future of health and medicine. Interleukin Genetics uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and commercialize innovative diagnostic and risk assessment genetic tests. These products could help to improve an individual's understanding of needed lifestyle changes or of therapeutic products that can be used to better manage their health. Interleukin Genetics has developed and commercialized genetic tests for risk assessment of coronary artery disease, periodontal disease, and general nutrition. Through its AJG subsidiary, the Company also currently offers an array of Nutraceutical and OTCeuticals(R) products, including Ginkoba(TM), Ginsana(R) and Venastat(R) which are sold at the nation's largest food, drug and mass retailers. Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin Genetics and its ongoing programs, please visit 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, the risk of market acceptance of our products, the risk of technology and product obsolescence, delays in product development, the performance of our commercial partners, the availability of adequate capital, the actions of our competitors and other competitive risks, and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.
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