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Circulating YKL-40 in myelofibrosis a potential novel biomarker of disease activity and the inflammatory state
Mads Emil Bjørn1, Christen Lykkegaard Andersen, Morten Krogh Jensen
1Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
Abstract:
Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), encompassing essential thrombocythaemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV) and myelofibrosis (PMF), are featured by a chronic inflammatory state which is pronounced in myelofibrosis The value of YKL-40 as a biomarker of disease burden has been demonstrated in several different diseases, including cancer, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. A state of chronic inflammation is shared by them all, YKL-40 also being involved in the severity of chronic endothelial inflammation, which today is considered of crucial importance for the development of atherosclerosis. The MPNs being cancers with a heavy burden of cardiovascular diseases we hypothesised that circulating YKL-40 might reflect the inflammatory process and potentially serve as a novel disease marker. Using ELISA, we measured YKL-40 in 15 patients with ET, 16 patients with PV, 17 patients with PMF and 30 healthy controls. YKL-40 was significantly elevated in PMF vs. control subjects, PMF levels median 43 ng/mL vs. controls median 28 ng/mL, P = 0.033. An increase from ET over PV may reflect the integrated impact of disease processes in MPNs.
Insights
YKL-40 is elevated in myelofibrosis, a myeloproliferative neoplasm. This biomarker may reflect chronic inflammation and disease burden in MPNs, potentially aiding in disease monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including essential thrombocythaemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV), and myelofibrosis (PMF), are characterized by chronic inflammation.
- YKL-40 is a biomarker associated with disease burden and chronic inflammation in various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
- MPNs carry a significant cardiovascular disease burden, suggesting a potential role for inflammation-related biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether circulating YKL-40 levels can serve as a novel disease marker reflecting the inflammatory process in MPNs.
- To assess YKL-40 levels in patients with ET, PV, and PMF compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum YKL-40 levels.
- The study included 15 patients with ET, 16 with PV, 17 with PMF, and 30 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- YKL-40 levels were significantly elevated in patients with PMF (median 43 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (median 28 ng/mL, P = 0.033).
- A trend of increasing YKL-40 levels from ET to PV to PMF was observed, potentially indicating the cumulative impact of disease processes.
Conclusions:
- Circulating YKL-40 is significantly elevated in myelofibrosis, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for disease burden and inflammation in MPNs.
- Further research may explore YKL-40's utility in monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response in MPNs.
