Biomarkers in malignant mesothelioma: diagnostic and prognostic role of soluble mesothelin-related peptide.

Soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) is a biomarker that has been proposed for differential diagnosis from pleural metastatic cancer, as well as prognosis and treatment monitoring of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of SMRP in clinic management of MM. We assayed the SMRP concentrations in 354 subjects: 109 healthy volunteers with no history of exposure to asbestos, 26 patients with previous occupational asbestos exposure but who were free from pleural or parenchymal disease, 48 patients with asbestosis, 110 patients with pleural plaques, 25 patients with lung cancer, and 36 patients with MM.

Mesothelin family proteins and diagnosis of mesothelioma: analytical evaluation of an automated immunoassay and preliminary clinical results.

Background: Studies have suggested that soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) can be used as a serum marker of malignant mesothelioma.

Methods: We assessed the analytical performance of the Mesomark (Fujirebio Diagnostic) two-step ELISA on an automated analyser and performed a preliminary clinical evaluation. The precision of the assay and the in vitro effect of interfering substances on SMRP concentrations were investigated.

[RANKL/RANK, OPG and OPT in a group of patients affected by chronic arthritis. Preliminary report].

Recently, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), its receptor RANK, and the decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG), have been identified as paracrine mediator of bone functions. The balance of RANKL/RANK and OPG is critical for osteoclastogenesis modulation and physiological bone remodeling. Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular glycosylate bone phosphoprotein and acts both as chemokine and cytokine.

Proteomic: new advances in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the joints. A number of novel treatment modalities have been introduced over the past years, and rheumatologists are now attempting to institute optimal treatment in recent-onset arthritis. To facilitate diagnosis during the early stages of disease, when often not all clinical symptoms are manifest, a good serological marker is needed.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies measured by an automated enzyme immunoassay: analytical performance and clinical correlations.

Background: Autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) are considered to be a sensitive and specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study evaluated the analytical performance and clinical correlation of an automated enzyme immunoassay (DSX, DINEX Technologies), for the detection of anti-CCP autoantibodies (DIASTAT anti-CCP, Axis-Shield, DUNDEE UK).

Methods: Commercial controls and serum pools were used to determine its precision, analytical sensitivity, functional sensitivity and linearity.