Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein for detecting small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease: A critical review and the path forward.

Abstract

The study by Ohno et al provides valuable insights into the role of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG) as a potential biomarker for identifying small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease (CD). However, several methodological challenges hinder its immediate use in clinical practice. Notably, the current research was retrospective, lacks comparative studies with fecal calprotectin, and did not provide long-term predictive data. Further prospective studies are needed to improve the applicability of LRG. Moreover, integrating LRG with additional biomarkers and employing artificial intelligence techniques may improve its effectiveness in disease monitoring. Future research should address interobserver variability, assess LRG's cost-effectiveness, and standardize endoscopic healing definitions to ensure broader applicability. Advancing these areas is vital for establishing LRG's role in precision medicine strategies for the management of CD.