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Laboratory markers in ulcerative colitis: Current insights and future advances
Michele Cioffi1, Antonella De Rosa1, Rosalba Serao1
1Michele Cioffi, Antonella De Rosa, Rosalba Serao, Ilaria Picone, Maria Teresa Vietri, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second Medical School Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy.
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology
|February 17, 2015
Summary
Non-invasive biomarkers are crucial for diagnosing and managing ulcerative colitis (UC), potentially replacing invasive tests. Current and future biomarkers, including acute-phase proteins and serologic markers, aim to improve UC patient care.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease are major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- Current diagnosis and management of IBD often rely on invasive tests.
- There is a need for non-invasive biomarkers to assess UC type, severity, prognosis, and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC).
- To discuss current acute-phase proteins and serologic markers used in UC.
- To explore future directions in UC biomarker development.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on UC biomarkers.
- Focus on acute-phase proteins (e.g., C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and serologic markers.
- Discussion of emerging technologies like genomics and proteomics for biomarker discovery.
Main Results:
- Serum markers like C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are commonly used.
- Serologic markers and antibodies can indicate aberrant immune responses in UC.
- Advanced molecular biology tools are revolutionizing biomarker discovery.
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive biomarkers are essential for improving UC diagnosis and patient care.
- Future biomarkers derived from genomics and proteomics hold significant promise.
- Correlating serologic markers with genotypes and phenotypes will enhance understanding of UC pathophysiology.
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