Calprotectin at #DGRh2024: Advancing Rheumatology Care

Meet Gentian at Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress 2024

Gentian is excited to participate at the Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress 2024, scheduled from September 18-21 in Düsseldorf, Germany. During this event, Gentian will present its circulating calprotectin immunoassay and discuss the biomarker's role in rheumatology.

Circulating calprotectin – the sensitive inflammation marker

Calprotectin is an acute-phase protein, a heterodimer of S100A8 and S100A9, highly expressed by neutrophils. During inflammation, neutrophils migrate to the inflammatory site and secrete large amounts of calprotectin acting as a soluble proinflammatory mediator. Once released, calprotectin can enter the systemic circulation, where its levels in serum and plasma serve as a direct indicator of joint inflammatory activity.^1-4

The value of calprotectin in rheumatic conditions

Calprotectin in serum and plasma has been described as valuable biomarker in several chronic inflammatory conditions, including multiple rheumatic conditions. It has been reported to correlate with and partly outperform clinical disease activity scores, ultrasound and other inflammatory biomarkers. Calprotectin’s bio-marker potential is reported in diagnosis and differentiation, prediction of treatment response and flares, as well as treatment monitoring.^1-4

Incorporating calprotectin testing into clinical practice could significantly enhance disease management by enabling early detection of disease activity, providing a more accurate assessment of treatment response, and facilitating timely identification of disease relapse.

Disease activity and relapse in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Since the concentration of circulating calprotectin reflects the degree of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it can provide valuable assessment of disease activity, treatment response and relapse. Calprotectin has been proven to be a very sensitive biomarker, allowing detection of even low disease activity distinguishing it from remission.^{5, 6} This is in contrast to C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which are low in 40% of patients despite active disease.^5-7

RA patients are often treated with a wide range of medications, some of which indirectly lower downstream levels of CRP. Calprotectin can therefore be a useful biomarker when CRP is normal or difficult to interpret, such as in patients treated with therapies that suppress interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumour necrosis factor (TNF).^8-11 In addition to direct treatment monitoring, calprotectin can also independently predict disease relapse guiding patient monitoring and treatment decisions.¹²

Gentian GCAL® Calprotectin  Immunoassay

The GCAL^® assay is intended for quantitative determination of calprotectin in plasma and serum as an aid in detection and assessment of inflammation and inflammatory response to infections. GCAL^® is a Particle-Enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay (PETIA) that can be applied on a wide range of automated clinical chemistry analysers. Specifically using avian antibodies in this test, results in the distinct benefit avoiding common interference (namely rheumatoid factor and HAMA antibodies).

GCAL^® is the first available (since 2019) turbidimetric assay for circulating calprotectin. It is CE-marked and IVDR certified, in addition to other regional registrations.*

All kit components are ready-to-use with calibrator and dedicated controls. Additionally, the reagent kit is available in two different sizes, catering to the diverse needs of laboratories, from smaller laboratories to high-volume routine users.

Contact us

Explore GCAL^® in your clinical practice and laboratory - fill out the form or send an email to marketing@gentian.com for more information about the product and prices.

References

1. Ometto F et al. Calprotectin in rheumatic diseases. Exp Biol Med (Maywood), 2017
2. Pruenster M et al. S100A8/A9: From basic science to clinical application. Pharmacol Ther, 2016
3. Wang Q et al. The Role of Calprotectin in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Transl Int Med, 2019
4. Romand X et al. Systemic calprotectin and chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Joint Bone Spine, 2019
5. Wang Y, Liang Y. Clinical significance of serum calprotectin level for the disease activity in active rheumatoid arthritis with normal C-reactive protein. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2019
6. Hurnakova J etal. Serum calprotectin may reflect inflammatory activity in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite normal to low C-reactive protein. Clin Rheumatol. 2018
7. Pincus T, Sokka T. Laboratory tests to assess patients with rheumatoid arthritis: advantages and limitations. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2009
8. Andrés Cerezo L et al. Decreases in serum levels of S100A8/9 (calprotectin) correlate with improvements in total swollen joint count in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis research & therapy, 2011
9. Inciarte-Mundo J et al. Calprotectin and TNF trough serum levels identify power Doppler ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients in remission or with low disease activity. Arthritis Res Ther, 2016
10. Hammer HB et al. The soluble biomarker calprotectin (an S100 protein) is associated to ultrasonographic synovitis scores and is sensitive to change in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab. Arthritis Res Ther, 2011
11. Jarlborg M et al. Serum calprotectin: a promising biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. Arthritis research & therapy, 2020
12. Inciarte-Mundo J et al. Calprotectin and TNF trough serum levels identify power Doppler ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients in remission or with low disease activity. Arthritis Res Ther, 2016
    
    

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