Molecular interrogation in LPHS: Unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms of LPHS

Loin pain-hematuria syndrome (LPHS) is a rare human disease with a reported prevalence of 12 per 100,000. It is predominantly observed in women with the age at symptom onset ranging from the first to sixth decade of life, with most patients being in their late 20s or early 30s. The characteristic features of LPHS are unrelenting loin pain and the presence of blood in urine. In most cases, the pain is so intense that the patients have to quit their jobs, require anti-depressants, go on long-term disability, and many contemplate suicide. LPHS imposes a significant health and economic impact in terms of loss of productivity and quality of life in a young population as these patients are shuffled among numerous healthcare providers in search of a diagnosis. Due to an inadequate understanding of what causes LPHS, the goal of management has been limited to symptomatic pain relief using narcotics, which in many cases leads to opioid dependency. This study is the first discovery-based proteomics study in the LPHS field. We anticipate that the results from this study will help unravel possible molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for LPHS, thus, eventually guiding the development of precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Faculty Supervisor:

Omar El-Halfawy;Christopher Yost

Student:

Partner:

Goyal Holdings Ltd

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Regina

Program: