Calprotectin supports risk stratification and treatment monitoring in pneumonia patients receiving Anakinra
Recently published INSPIRE study (Lancet Reginal Health, Volume 62, March 2026) explored a precision medicine approach for patients hospitalised with pneumonia who are at risk of progressing to organ dysfunction.
In this randomised phase II trial, adults with community- or hospital-acquired pneumonia, qSOFA score of 1, and elevated presepsin were treated with standard of care plus either placebo or Anakinra. The goal was to determine whether early identification of patients with high inflammatory risk could guide targeted IL-1 inhibition and improve outcomes.
Results showed that patients receiving Anakinra had:
- a substantially lower rate of progression to organ dysfunction or death compared with placebo group (20% vs. 50%), as well as
- lower 90-day mortality and shorter hospital stay.
These findings support the concept that early biomarker-guided intervention can help prevent deterioration in pneumonia patients.
Where circulating calprotectin adds new clinical value
Although presepsin served as the primary biomarker for patient selection in INSPIRE trial, a posthoc analysis examined the performance of serum calprotectin, and the results highlight its significant potential.
Early indicator of high-risk patients
Elevated baseline calprotectin levels identified patients at higher risk for poor outcomes, including organ dysfunction and mortality. This positions calprotectin as a valuable addition to risk stratification tools.
A rapid read-out of treatment response
Unlike presepsin, calprotectin levels dropped as early as Day 2 in patients treated with Anakinra, making it a sensitive, early signal of therapeutic effect. This rapid kinetic profile allows clinicians to assess treatment success sooner and more confidently.
Supports real‑time precision medicine
By helping both identify the right patients and monitor whether the therapy is working, calprotectin offers unique dual utility within personalized treatment approaches.
Why this matters:
Fast-responding biomarkers like calprotectin enable precision treatment
As precision-guided therapy becomes increasingly central to the management of sepsis and severe infections, fast responding biomarkers like calprotectin may play a critical role in shaping treatment decisions, ensuring the right patients receive the right therapy at the right time.
GCAL® - Plasma & serum calprotectin: Easy implementation in routine
The GCAL® assay is designed for the quantitative determination of calprotectin in plasma and serum, intended as an aid in detection and assessment of inflammation and inflammatory response to infections. As the first turbidimetric assay available since 2019, GCAL® offers distinct advantages:
- Advanced technology: PETIA assay on clinical chemistry platforms using avian antibodies, which minimises interference from rheumatoid factor and HAMA antibodies
- Versatility: Compatible with a wide range of automated clinical chemistry analysers
- Regulatory compliance: CE-marked in compliance with IVDR 2017/746 (CE 0123) and registered in multiple regions*
- Ready-to-use format: Complete kit components - including calibrators and dedicated controls - are available in two sizes to meet the needs of both small and high-volume laboratories
Let’s talk about GCAL® - Circulating calprotectin
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* GCAL® is CE-marked under the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR 2017/746, CE 0123). It is not cleared by the U.S. FDA and is not available for sale in the United States.
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