Biomarker Insights最新文献

{"title":"Latent Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Activation Could Persist Until Early School-Aged in Children with a History of Low Birth Weight.","authors":"Shingo Ishimori, Shinya Ishiko, Junya Fujimura, Shuhei Aoyama, Yuka Kimura, Hideaki Kitakado, Chika Ueda, Yuta Inoki, Yu Tanaka, Tomoko Horinouchi, Tomohiko Yamamura, Nana Sakakibara, China Nagano, Kandai Nozu","doi":"10.1177/11772719251379198","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251379198","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in kidney development and the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify children with low birth weight (LBW) at risk of CKD who have RAAS activation.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether a history of LBW contributes to the development of latent RAAS activation using urine samples from patients with short stature with no clinical kidney symptoms. Additionally, among children who had idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), we examined how a history of LBW contributes to the development of latent RAAS activation using residual kidney biopsy samples.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We prospectively evaluated angiotensinogen (AGT) using spot urine in children with and without a history of LBW, who required evaluation for short stature without kidney symptoms at registration. We also performed immunohistochemical staining of AGT using kidney biopsy specimens of subjects with and without a history of LBW who had INS. Urinary AGT was assessed as a marker of intrarenal RAAS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 45 children (median age 5 years), urinary AGT/creatinine (Cr) levels were significantly higher in children with a history of LBW (n = 24) than in those without (n = 21, median: 12.6 vs 6.7 µg/g･Cr, mean: 15.4 vs 9.1 µg/g･Cr, <i>P</i> < .01). The unadjusted mean difference between the 2 groups and the 95% confidence interval were 6.3 and (1.6, 11.1), respectively. In the immunohistochemical kidney pathological study, the positive area of AGT staining in the kidney tubules of 3 subjects with a history of LBW was more extensive than that of 3 additional subjects without a history of LBW.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results indicated that latent intrarenal RAAS activation in children with a history of LBW persists until early school age and may contribute to the progression of CKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251379198"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12575984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145431992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extracellular Vesicle-Derived miRNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review of Methodological Rigour and Clinical Applicability.","authors":"Ryhan Divyang Patel, Bhavik Patel, Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic","doi":"10.1177/11772719251381960","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251381960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with currently limited early detection options. Extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained interest as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers due to their stability in circulation and tumour-specific profiles. However, the methodological robustness of existing literature remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To systematically evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and methodological quality of studies investigating EV-derived miRNAs for PDAC detection, with a particular focus on adherence to established EV characterisation guidelines.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Systematic review registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024501503) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 reporting standards.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane for original human studies published up to February 1, 2025, evaluating EV-derived miRNAs in biofluids from PDAC patients. Eligible studies reported diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, Area Under the Curve (AUC)). Methodological quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool, and EV validation was scored against the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles 2018 (MISEV) 2018 checklist (updated 2023).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-six studies were included. Plasma and serum were the most commonly used biofluids. The most frequently evaluated individual miRNAs were miR-21 (13 studies), miR-10b (9 studies), and miR-451a (7 studies). Although several studies reported high diagnostic performance (AUCs up to 0.99), MISEV adherence was limited: only 23.1% of miR-21 studies demonstrated strong EV validation, and >70% of all studies lacked EV quantification or protein marker analysis. Multi-miRNA panels achieved higher AUCs (often > 0.85) but typically scored poorly on EV characterisation. Only 2 of 56 studies included external validation, and 54 studies lacked blinding, contributing to substantial risk of bias.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EV-derived miRNAs are promising PDAC biomarkers, but progress is hindered by inconsistent methods, poor EV validation, and minimal external verification. Translation to clinical use requires robust EV characterisation, standardised workflows, and prospective multi-cohort studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251381960"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12572613/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145431934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CXCL10 (IP-10) and anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies: Exploratory indicators of risk in pancreatic transplant rejection.","authors":"Mikk Jäätma, Marko Murruste, Karri Kase, Kaja Metsküla, Raivo Uibo, Tamara Vorobjova","doi":"10.1177/11772719251381963","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251381963","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Measurement of chemokine CXCL10 is a novel approach to assess the transplant rejection risk and to detect the rejection. While CXCL10 has shown itself to be useful in renal transplants, there are only a few studies on the association between pancreas transplantation and CXCL10. Furthermore, the importance of autoantibodies associated with type I diabetes in pancreas transplantation are relatively poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine whether there is an association between CXCL10 plasma levels and graft rejection in simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant recipients, and to assess the effects of pancreas autoantibodies on pancreatic transplant rejection.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A retrospective case-control study was conducted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In total of 23 individuals (11 male and 12 female, mean age 39.5 (SD ± 7.6) years) who underwent simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation, and in 8 healthy controls (evenly distributed in terms of gender, mean age 26.1 (SD ± 1.5) years) plasma samples were analyzed for CXCL10 and autoantibody levels using ELISA. The data was categorized into preoperative, perioperative and postoperative samples and were further juxtaposed in relation to rejection episodes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Preoperative CXCL10 levels did not differ from those for healthy individuals, but they rose postoperatively (<i>P</i> = .02). The median preoperative plasma concentration of CXCL10 was 68 pg/ml and increased to 123 pg/ml postoperatively. A postoperative plasma CXCL10 cut-off value of 297 pg/ml was indicative of rejection. Postoperative autoantibodies were detected in 10 recipients, 4 of whom were positive for anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies, and 2 were positive for more than 1 type autoantibody. All recipients who were positive for anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies or for more than 1 type autoantibody experienced rejection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elevated CXCL10 levels during the first 3 months after transplantation seem to be a risk factor for rejection. The post transplant presence of anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies was associated with transplant rejection.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251381963"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12541173/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145356357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood Based Vascular Marker Responses to Ocufolin^® in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients Carrying MTHFR Polymorphisms.","authors":"Jianhua Wang, Andrew Hoover, Justin H Townsend, Zohar Yehoshua, Kirill Stremousov, Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari, Hong Jiang","doi":"10.1177/11772719251378813","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251378813","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with inborn errors of metabolism related to Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (<i>MTHFR</i>) gene variants are at an increased risk for microvascular complications resulting from diabetic retinopathy. Early intervention with targeted nutritional support, particularly folate supplementation, may help stabilize metabolic function and slow the progression of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, especially before irreversible structural damage occurs.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the effects of the folate supplement Ocufolin^® on serum markers in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mild diabetic retinopathy (MDR).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Prospective Cohort Study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten patients with both MDR and <i>MTHFR</i> polymorphisms (<i>C677T or A1298C</i>) were enrolled in the present study and received Ocufolin^® to address errors in folate methylation metabolism. Patients were excluded if they had a history of other ocular or systemic diseases. Serum biomarkers associated with clinical chemistry (homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], myeloperoxidase [MPO], fasting insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein [HDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL], Oxidized-LDL [Ox-LDL], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], D-Dimer, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] and glutathione) were measured pre-and post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Treatment with Ocufolin^® resulted in a 23% decrease in serum homocysteine (<i>P</i> = .005), an 18% decrease in hsCRP, a 13% decrease in fasting insulin, a 15% increase in D-Dimer (<i>P</i> = .03) and a 47% decrease in VEGF (<i>P</i> = .04). Additionally, there was a 9% increase in glutathione, a 2% increase in MPO, a 6% reduction in triglycerides, a 3% increase in total cholesterol, a 4% increase in HDL, a 4% increase in LDL, an 8% increase in Ox-LDL. HbA1c did not change.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Normalizing folate metabolism through Ocufolin^® significantly improved key blood-based biomarkers in patients with diabetic retinopathy. These metabolic improvements may underlie enhanced retinal perfusion and reduced oxidative stress, suggesting potential adjunctive therapeutic benefits for managing vascular retinopathies in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251378813"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12461035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circulating Biomarkers and Recurrence of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation After Electrical Cardioversion.","authors":"Elizabeth Lyster Andersen, Magnar Gangås Solberg, Steve Enger, Sophia Onarheim, Mona Olufsen, Trygve Berge, Sissel Åkra, Maiken Kojen Kleveland, Ingrid Elisabeth Christophersen, Sara Reinvik Ulimoen, Ingebjørg Seljeflot, Arnljot Tveit","doi":"10.1177/11772719251361306","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251361306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rhythm control therapy is recommended for individuals with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is used to restore sinus rhythm (SR), but AF recurrence is common.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to investigate if a selection of circulating biomarkers can predict rhythm outcomes in individuals with persistent AF treated with ECV.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This was an observational cohort study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We included 200 individuals aged ⩾ 18 years referred for ECV of AF from November 2017 to March 2022. We obtained blood samples 0 to 6 weeks before ECV. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) activity, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), galectin-3 (GAL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), growth differentiation factor-15, (GDF-15), transforming growth factor-β-1 (TGF-β1), and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) were analyzed by ELISA methods. The participants recorded thumb ECGs twice daily for 28 days after the ECV to detect AF recurrence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 188 individuals were eligible for the analyses. Twenty-four participants converted spontaneously to SR before ECV. Among the cardioverted, 74 maintained SR, whereas 90 experienced AF recurrence before hospital discharge (n = 15) or during the follow-up period of 28 days (n = 75). TIMP-1 was significantly higher in those with AF recurrence than in those who maintained SR, but overlapping distributions suggest limited predictive ability. PAI-1 activity, sST2, GAL-3, IL-6, MMP-9, GDF-15, TGF-β1, and FGF-23 did not differ among the participants who had ECV.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TIMP-1 was higher in participants with recurrence of AF after ECV, but its predictive ability was limited. None of the other biomarkers were associated with AF recurrence. We do not recommend using these biomarkers for candidate selection for ECV of persistent AF.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251361306"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12432329/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pre-treatment Circulating Tumor Cell Associated White Blood Cell Clusters Independently Predict Poor Survival in Patients with Extensive-disease Small Cell Lung Cancer.","authors":"Ying Wang, Minghang Zhang, Cen Chen, Yanxia Liu, Yuan Gao, Hongxia Li, Baohua Lu, Mingming Hu, Hongmei Zhang, Peter Ping Lin, Zhanliang Ren, Tongmei Zhang, Shaofa Xu","doi":"10.1177/11772719251338620","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251338620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with extensive disease (ED)-small cell lung cancer (SCLC) commonly suffer a more inferior prognosis than those with limited disease (LD)-SCLC.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to investigate the heterogeneity and prognostic significance of various aneuploid circulating tumor cells (CTCs) subtypes and CTC-associated white blood cell (CTC-WBC) clusters in patients with LD-and ED-SCLC respectively.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This prospective, non-interventional, single-center study included 48 patients with LD-SCLC and 47 patients with ED-SCLC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 95 SCLC patients were prospectively enrolled and serial blood samples were obtained before chemotherapy administration (t₀) and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (t₁). Comprehensive in situ co-detection of CTCs and CTC-WBC clusters were performed in all enrolled patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed no significant difference in CTCs quantity between LD-SCLC and ED-SCLC patients (<i>P</i> = .610). However, significant morphologic heterogeneity in CTCs, including cell size and chromosome 8 (Chr8) ploidy in CTCs was observed between the 2 groups (<i>P</i> < .001 and <i>P</i> < .001). Patients with post-therapeutic small cell CTCs ⩾ 2/6 ml or triploid CTCs ⩾ 2/6 ml exhibited reduced overall survival (OS) compared to those with small cell CTCs < 2/6 ml or triploid CTCs < 2/6 ml in the ED-SCLC (<i>P</i> = .011 and <i>P</i> = .018). Additionally, the positive detection of post-therapeutic tetraploid CTCs was associated with inferior survival in both LD-and ED-SCLC (<i>P</i> = .041 and <i>P</i> = .049). The presence of CTC-WBC clusters at baseline and after treatment significantly correlated with inferior OS in ED-SCLC (<i>P</i> = .016 and <i>P</i> = .028) but not in LD-SCLC (<i>P</i> = .355 and <i>P</i> = .621). Multivariate analysis identified brain metastasis and pre-treatment CTC-WBC clusters as independent prognostic factors for OS in ED-SCLC patients (<i>P</i> = .004 and <i>P</i> = .013).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ideal biomarkers should be more specific for survival prediction in patients with different disease stages. Pre-treatment CTC-WBC clusters can independently predict inferior OS in ED-SCLC but not LD-SCLC.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251338620"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12335652/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144817899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salivary Biomarkers of Inflammation in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.","authors":"H Stephen Injeyan, Julita A Teodorczyk-Injeyan, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Shadi Rashed, Joyce Lee, Glen Harris","doi":"10.1177/11772719251355038","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251355038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a debilitating condition with unclear underlying mechanisms. The presence of systemic biomarkers associated with inflammation in nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) has been inconsistently reported primarily through invasive blood sampling.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluates the use of saliva as an alternative medium for assessing inflammatory biomarker levels in patients with CNSLBP.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Prospective cross-sectional pilot study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-five patients with CNSLBP and 25 age and sex matched asymptomatic participants were selected according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was determination of the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in unstimulated saliva samples of CNSLBP patients relative to controls using Luminex™ 200 technology. Secondary outcomes were pain, disability and anxiety/stress levels of participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In CNSLBP patients, 9 biomarkers interferon γ (IFNγ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were comparable to controls (<i>P</i> = .25-.94). However, 4 pro-inflammatory mediators were significantly elevated, exhibiting medium to large effect sizes: IL-1β (<i>P</i> = .028, Cohen's <i>d</i> = 1.62), IL-6 (<i>P</i> = .001, <i>d</i> = 1.0), IL-8 (<i>P</i> = .002, <i>d</i> = 0.86), and MCP-1 (<i>P</i> = .001, <i>d</i> = 0.77). Additionally, IL-1Ra levels were significantly higher, though with a small effect size (<i>P</i> = .03, <i>d</i> = 0.43). A significant correlation (<i>P</i> = .02) was observed between VAS pain scores and MCP-1 levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Saliva represents a viable medium for assessing key inflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and the nociceptive chemokine MCP-1 were observed in comparison to asymptomatic controls, with MCP-1 showing a positive correlation with self-reported pain intensity. Future studies utilizing unstimulated saliva samples may further investigate changes in inflammatory biomarker levels to monitor treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251355038"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12304614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144745465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Genoa Vascular Biobank: A Today Resource for Future Perspectives in Vascular Research.","authors":"Chiara Barisione, Jorge Miguel Mena Vera, Caterina Ivaldo, Silvia Ortona, Pier Francesco Ferrari, Paola Visconti, Michele Paudice, Martina Bastianon, Caterina Melani, Gaddiel Mozzetta, Valerio Vellone, Giovanni Pratesi, Domenico Palombo","doi":"10.1177/11772719251324322","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251324322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Biological knowledge and patient care have been significantly improved by the emergence of big data analysis and -omics sciences, requiring high quality standards for biospecimen and data collection. Biobanks are complex and dynamic units designated to fulfill these needs.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The Genoa Vascular Biobank (GTB-VD) is a collaborative network between the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (Centre of Biological Resources), and the University of Genoa (Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit; Anatomic Pathology Unit; Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Biology). This work describes workflow, ethic and governance requirements, demographic and clinical characteristics of subjects enrolled in the GTB-VD, and the volume of open or endovascular surgical interventions.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The GTB-VD recruits patients undergoing surgical repair for carotid artery stenosis (CS) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), enrolled on the basis of selection criteria and subdivided for pathology and type of intervention, upon informed consent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Biospecimens comprise serum, plasma, whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and urine (from AAA only), stored at -80°C; lesions from open surgeries are frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded. Samples are associated with donor's clinical data through pseudonymization to prevent patient identification. Data accuracy and sample quality are ensured by harmonized standard operative procedures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2018 to the end of 2023, 442 CS (distinguished into severe-asymptomatic or symptomatic, displaying a ratio of 5:1) and 214 AAA have been collected. CS is more frequently associated with diabetes and peripheral artery diseases, AAA with pulmonary history, and renal function impairment. Open surgery is more used for CS and endovascular for AAA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The GTB-VD, as organized, represents an \"<i>unicum</i>\" in our Country; it supports studies to identify molecular targets and biomarkers associated with specific arteriopathy, for developing secondary prevention strategies and minimally invasive, in situ therapies. Collaborative studies and sample sharing are welcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251324322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12256751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144638331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Comprehensive Description of the Roadmap to Identify and Validate a Myelin Biomarker.","authors":"Giovanna Capodivento, Davide Visigalli, Andrea Armirotti, Chiara Demichelis, Marinella Carpo, Roberto Fancellu, Erika Schirinzi, Daniele Severi, Diego Franciotta, Fiore Manganelli, Gabriele Siciliano, Alessandro Beronio, Elisabetta Capello, Paola Lanteri, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Angelo Schenone, Luana Benedetti, Lucilla Nobbio","doi":"10.1177/11772719251349605","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251349605","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Demyelination and remyelination are major issues for scientists dealing with myelin disorders in both clinical and research fields. Despite that, rapid, reliable and convenient tools to monitor myelin changes still lack both in central and peripheral nervous system. Given that myelin is enriched in specific lipids and proteins, it is reasonable they could represent eligible candidates as structural damage biomarkers for this characteristic membrane. Among them, we focused on sphingomyelin (SM) due to the enrichment in myelin and because it is easily measurable in different biological matrices.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Depicting the roadmap to identify and validate SM dosage as a myelin biomarker useful for pre-clinical and clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study adheres to STROBE guidelines for observational cross-sectional studies on human patients and to ARRIVE guidelines for animal models.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Following the recommendations of the Society for CSF Analysis and Clinical Neurochemistry, we describe the stepwise process to validate SM as a myelin biomarker, starting from the optimization of the fluorescence-based assay and analytical validation in experimental models until clinical and pathological validation in biological fluids of neurological patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SM dosage monitors myelination, demyelination, remyelination and even small myelin changes associated to myelin pathology and pharmacological treatments in experimental models. SM is detectable in human biological fluids and informative of myelin damage in the CSF of neurological patients. SM dosage identifies myelin breakdown in the CSF of patients affected by Guillain-Barrè Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), identifying disease activity, axonal from demyelinating variants, and avoiding misdiagnosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SM dosage displayed extremely promising real-word performances being able to identify, monitor and stage myelin pathology. Given that it is simple, inexpensive and easily adaptable to routine use in any hospital setting, it might rapidly progress to the implementation and impact on clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251349605"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12230279/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients With Chronic Phase-Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Treated With Imatinib: Any Role in the Monitoring of Treatment Response?","authors":"Kehinde A Taiwo, Ibrahim O Ahmed, Muritala A Asafa, Olusola J Olarewaju, Oludolapo A Omoyiola, Olatokunbo O Oguns, Temilola O Owojuyigbe, Rahman A Bolarinwa","doi":"10.1177/11772719251351687","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11772719251351687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancers cause changes in the levels of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting or promoting their production thus affecting the immune system. The measurement of serum levels of cytokines may be useful in assessing these immunological changes and invariably assessing cancer status.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the effect of imatinib mesylate (glivec^®) on the serum levels of interleukins (IL-6 and IL-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This prospective cohort study included 26 imatinib naïve CP-CML patients with no other co-morbidities and 26 age and sex-matched healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Serum levels of interleukins (IL6 and 10) and CRP were determined using the ELISA method at recruitment for both patients and controls and repeated for the CML patients at 3 months into imatinib therapy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were significantly higher in CP-CML than in the controls at recruitment 439.83 ± 167.52 versus 39.62 ± 10.11 pg/ml, (<i>t</i> = 8.720 <i>P</i> ⩽ .0001), (8.45 ± 2.88 vs 2.86 ± 1.08 mg/l; <i>t</i> = 6.729 <i>P</i> ⩽ .0001) respectively. In contrast, the mean of the IL-10 in the controls (36.63 ± 12.43) was noticed to be significantly higher than the patients (22.88 ± 4.76 vs 36.63 ± 12.43 pg/ml; <i>t</i> = -3.851 <i>P</i> = .003). Interestingly, there was a significant drop in the serum levels of IL-6 (439.83 ± 167.52 vs 46.85 ± 14.48 pg/ml, (<i>t</i> = 8.055 <i>P</i> ⩽ .0001) and CRP (8.45 ± 2.88 mg/l vs 4.24 ± 1.57; <i>t</i> = 4.305 <i>P</i> = .0001) in the CML subjects 3 months into imatinib therapy. Only IL-10 had a non-significant drop in the CML subjects after 3 months of imatinib therapy. Method validation of these biomarkers was done using the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve which revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.000 for both IL-6 and CRP and 0.152 for IL-10.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study has concluded that treatment naïve CML is associated with a significant elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and CRP) and treatment with imatinib led to a significant decline in the serum levels of these markers suggesting that IL-6 and CRP could be useful as adjunct in the monitoring of CML treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":47060,"journal":{"name":"Biomarker Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11772719251351687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214318/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144555317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}