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NCT Number: NCT05700175

Transcriptomic Study of Adult Population With Marfan Syndrome

This project is designed to discover circulating biomarkers for aortic aneurysms in adults affected by Marfan Syndrome (MFS). The first aim is to identify circulating transcripts, protein-coding (mRNA) and not (ncRNAs), which show differential expression between three groups of adult patients affected by MFS, based on: presence or absence of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and indication of TAA-surgery. This obtained TAA_MFS_signature will then be correlated to fundamental biological parameters, like cytokines and chemokines relevant during inflammation and transcriptomic as well as epigenetics changes in aortic aneurysm tissue. Furthermore, the association of TAA_MFS_signature to genetic, clinical and instrumental parameters at present used for diagnosis and treatment, will be evaluated.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

About this study

The investigators will collect peripheral blood and aortic aneurysm tissues specimens from consenting subjects. For all three groups of MFS patients, total RNA will be isolated from peripheral whole blood, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and processed for transcriptomic analyses by RNAseq. Plasma will be used to determine cytokine and chemokine levels, using a luminex panel designed for inflammation biomarkers (serum proteomics). For all patients undergoing surgery, tissue specimens will be used for transcriptomic and epigenetic analysis, histological sections and serum proteomics.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

General criteria:

  • Clinically and genetically determined Marfan syndrome (according to the revised Ghent-criteria 2010)
  • Signed informed consent
  • Patient receiving regular pharmacological prophylaxis or newly diagnosed patients

Population without thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) Patients with clinically and genetically determined Marfan syndrome, presenting thoracic aortic diameters within established normal limits (mm and base Z-score).

Population with TAA "stable dimensions" Patients with clinically and genetically determined Marfan syndrome, presenting stable values for dimension / Z-score of the aortic root during the 12 months preceding the enrolment.

Population with TAA with surgery indication:

  • Patients with clinically and genetically determined Marfan syndrome, presenting indication for surgical correctional according to the relevant International guidelines
  • Trend of uncontrolled increase of aortic diameter compared to previous measurements
  • Aortic ectasia associated to a clinically significant valve dysfunction
  • Evaluation of cut-off for surgical intervention dependant also on familial dissection

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with chronic or acute inflammation states, like: chronic liver disease, chronic renal insufficiency (creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl) and diseases affecting the thyroid apparatus.
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Transcriptomic, epigenetic and proteomic analysis

Diagnostic Test

Next-generation sequencing will be used to identify differences in expression of circulating transcripts (protein-coding and not) in patients affected by Marfan Syndrome (MFS), subdivided based on the presence or absence of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and indication of TAA-surgery (TAA_MFS_signature).

The obtained TAA_MFS_signature will be correlated to fundamental biological parameters by analysing:

Blood-levels of cytokines and chemokines relevant for inflammation. Transcriptomic and epigenetic (Cytosine methylation) changes in aortic aneurysms tissue by Next-generation sequencing.

Progression of biomarkers in surgical-patients before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Primary outcomes

  1. Transcriptomic Signature in adult patients suffering of affected by Marfan syndrome

    Time frame: year 1-5

    Identification of differences in transcript-expression between Marfan patients with or without thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and with indication of TAA-surgery.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

IRCCS Policlinico S. Donato

Other

Registry information

Acronym: MaRfaNomicA

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 26, 2023
Registry last updated
Jul 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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