Serum protein triplet TGF-β1, TIMP-1, and YKL-40 serve as diagnostic and prognostic profile for astrocytoma.

Astrocytoma is the most common glial tumour of the CNS. The most malignant form is grade IV Astrocytoma, also called Glioblastoma. Due to its heterogeneity, aggressiveness and lethal nature scientists are trying to find less invasive methods for early prediction of tumour onset, recurrence, response to therapy and patients' survival.