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Life Length
Life Length[2] is a biotechnology company.[3] Located in Madrid, it provides telomere diagnostics as well as telomerase measurement.[4][5] It was founded by American entrepreneur Stephen J. Matlin and Dr. María Blasco Marhuenda[6] in 2010 with the objective to commercialize Blasco's HT Q-FISH conceptual work.[7] Life Length is Spain's only federally-accredited laboratory under CLIA.[8] Life Length has three main facilities, with offices in Madrid and laboratories located in Tres Cantos.[9][10] HistoryLife Length was established on September 28, 2010, as a spin-off from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre. In 2016, the company obtained CLIA certification, a U.S. government accreditation for clinical laboratories, becoming the only laboratory in Spain with this certification.[citation needed] In 2017, the ONCOCHECK project, which involves a series of clinical studies focused on cancer diagnostics, received €3.1 million in funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.[11] In 2021, Life Length opened a clinic at Paseo del General Martinez Campos, 46, in Madrid. In 2022, the company's prostate cancer diagnostic tool received approval from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS). The same year, the company launched HEALTHTAV, a new product in its portfolio.[citation needed] Telomeres and their importance to the companyTelomeres are part of our DNA and are found at the ends of chromosomes. Their function is to protect our DNA during each cell division by preventing chromosomes from adhering to each other or from losing important information. They represent the most precise biomarker to measure aging. Telomere deterioration has been associated with the ageing process and many other diseases. Over the years, every time a cell divides, our telomeres successively shorten up to a point where the cells cannot divide any more. Subsequently, they either undergo a process called apoptosis (cells progressively die) or go into senescence (they lose their function). Many studies link long telomeres and a slower rate of telomere shortening with greater longevity. For example, research done on mice showed that individuals with hyper-long telomeres lived 13% longer than those with normal telomeres. However, they also store less fat, which also contributes to greater longevity. Due to the impact, they have at the cellular level, the length of telomeres and their rate of shortening is considered a relevant biomarker for assessing the state of aging of the entire organism. ProjectsOncocheck [12] ONCOCHECK is a set of clinical studies conducted by Life Length during 2017. The aim of the project was the clinical validation of telomere-associated variables (TAVs) as cancer biomarkers. It involved more than 1,200 adults and 300 children suffering from one of multiple existing types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, and leukemia cancers, among others. ONCOCHECK received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 [13] research and innovation program. With more than 7,000 peer-reviewed scientific and clinical publications, telomere length measurement has established itself as a biomarker in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This project has the invaluable support of some of the most important hospitals in Spain such as "University Hospital 12 de octubre", "University Hospital Puerta de Hierro", "University Hospital Niño Jesús", "Vall d'Hebron Hospital", and "Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal (CIOCC)". Within the ONCOCHECK project, Life Length is also conducting studies in advanced solid tumors and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The results of the ONCOCHECK project have enabled Life Length to develop new applications in oncology .[14] Prostate cancer diagnosis product [15] Telomeres as cancer biomarkers: Tumor cells work differently from normal cells. As a cell becomes cancerous, it divides more frequently, and its telomeres shorten faster. Cancer cells avoid senescence/death and instead become immortal with the ability to replicate indefinitely, even when telomeres are short. Therefore, alterations in telomere length have great potential as a biomarker in cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most occurring cancer for men around the world today. 1 out of 8 men suffer from it every year.[citation needed] This diagnosis is an in vitro diagnostic test (IVD) that makes it possible to identify patients with a higher risk of suffering from aggressive prostate cancer. The prostate cancer diagnosis product, combined with the current screening method, can potentially prevent hundreds of prostate biopsies annually.[citation needed] Life Length has launched it on the market in 2022. It is a test that provides doctors with a useful and rapid tool for clinical decision-making. This test is a minimally invasive procedure that only requires a blood sample from the patient. Other studiesLung cancer - Life Length is working on developing an algorithm to detect patients at risk for lung cancer. With its telomere measurement platform, the test could potentially fill the gap in lung cancer screening techniques in a routine, minimally invasive, and low-cost way. Life Length was the European Seal of Excellence [16] by the European Commission[17] for its project proposal in lung cancer research. Childhood cancer - Life Length has conducted the largest childhood cancer research project to date, obtaining samples from about 100 children with cancer and healthy children. The aim of the study was to help oncology and hematology specialists make better decisions and increase the chances of these children beating cancer. Life Length has carried out these studies with the support of one of the most important children's hospitals in Spain, the Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús. More studies and projects
AccreditationsLife Length is considered the most accredited clinical laboratory in Spain.[citation needed]
License: The center of Health Facilities and Regulation authorized Life Length to conduct and maintain an Out of State Clinical Laboratory in conformity with RIGL C23-16.2.
License: Pursuant to Section 353 of the Public Health Services Act (42 U.S.C. 263a) as revised by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
License: Pursuant to the provisions of TITLE 17, subtitle 2, Health-General Article 17-201 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland
License: Pursuant of the act of September 26, 1951, P.L., 1539 as amended, a Permit to operate a Clinical Laboratory.
License: C.2.5.6 Centro de diagnóstico con unidades de U.72 Obtención de muestras, U.73 Análisis clínicos y U.74 Bioquímica clínica Scientific publicationsLife Length has published to date the following articles:[26] In addition, numerous clients of Life Length have published articles based on the results for work performed by the company demonstrating the uniqueness of the TAT® and related technologies:
References
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