Sensitivity of the Wound Edge Gene Signature “WD14” in Responding to Clinical Change: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: WounD14 (WD14) gene signature is a recently developed tool derived from genetic interrogation of wound edge biopsies of chronic venous leg ulcers to identify heard-to-heal wounds and enable clinicians to target aggressive therapies to promote wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate if changes in wound clinical healing status were detected by the WD14 gene signature over time as this is currently poorly understood. Material and methods: WD14 was developed through gene screening and subsequent validation in 3 patient cohorts involving 85 consecutive patients with chronic venous leg ulcers referred to a tertiary wound healing unit. Patients underwent a wound edge biopsy to interrogate for a “healing” or “non-healing” genotype. A smaller cohort (18%) underwent a second biopsy, which comprised this pilot cohort reported herein. Twelve weeks following biopsy, wounds were clinically assessed for healing status based on reduction in size and compared to WD14 genotype. Results: Sequential biopsies and WD14 scores were derived from 16 patients. WD14 signature predicted wound healing status among this cohort at either visit (32 wound edge biopsies) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.2% (95% CI 74.1%-92.0%) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.0% (95% CI 34.2%-96.9%). A total of 6 wounds underwent altered clinical status between the 2 visits. In this cohort, WD14 has a PPV of 66.7% (95% CI 47.3%-81.7%) and NPV of 100%. Conclusion: Although the WD14 gene signature did change with wound healing status, larger studies are required to precisely clarify its role and ability to prognosticate wounds of differing clinical status over time.