Pfizer, 23andMe team up to study bowel disease

Pfizer Inc. is teaming up with DNA testing company 23andMe to study the possible genetic underpinnings of inflammatory bowel disease, a hard-to-treat ailment that affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans.

Under the partnership, 23andMe will map the DNA of 10,000 patients who have forms of the disease, which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients will submit saliva samples using 23andMe's at-home collection kit and then fill out online questionnaires about their disease and symptoms.

The companies say they hope to identify genetic similarities among patients with , which could guide development of targeted drugs to treat the disease.

The cause of is unknown, though many scientists suspect genetics play a role. Other scientists believe the diseases are triggered by a virus or bacteria.

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Pfizer, 23andMe team up to study bowel disease (2014, August 12) retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-08-pfizer-23andme-team-bowel-disease.html
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