Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Effect of Anti-c-fms Antibody on Osteoclast Formation and Proliferation of Osteoclast Precursor In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2019
A Diagnostic Impact of Serum Autotaxin Levels in Patients with Bone Marrow Fibrosis
Hideyuki Nakazawa1, Hiroko Kaiume2, Koji Igarashi3
1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Background:
Bone marrow (BM) fibrosis is a condition characterized by deposition of reticulin and collagen fibers in BM. It may confer a poor prognosis in some of hematological malignancies. However, the relationship between fibrosis and the disease pathology is not fully understood and no biomarkers for BM fibrosis are available in clinical practice. Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme that is associated with various pathophysiological responses, including fibrosis. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the serum ATX levels in various hematological disorders in patients with or without BM fibrosis.
Patients And Methods:
The serum levels of ATX in a total of 198 patients with hematological disorders and 160 healthy subjects were analyzed. Because of sexual difference in ATX level, the ATX ratio-determined by dividing the ATX level by the mean value of ATX of control subjects of the same sex-was calculated for further comparative analysis. A trephine biopsy samples from 53 patients were also evaluated to determine the Reticulin Fibrosis Index and Collagen Fibrosis Index of each sample.
Results:
In comparison to the control group, the ATX ratio was significantly higher in patients, especially those with malignant lymphoma. The ATX ratio in lymphoma patients with BM fibrosis was significantly higher than that in patients without BM fibrosis. The Collagen Fibrosis Index showed statistically significant negative correlation with the ATX ratio.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that the ATX ratio may be a candidate diagnostic biomarker for BM fibrosis in selected patients, including those with malignant lymphoma.
Insights
Serum autotaxin (ATX) levels may serve as a biomarker for bone marrow (BM) fibrosis in patients with hematological disorders. Higher ATX ratios were observed in lymphoma patients with BM fibrosis, suggesting its diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Bone marrow (BM) fibrosis involves reticulin and collagen deposition, potentially worsening prognosis in hematological malignancies.
- The precise relationship between BM fibrosis and disease pathology remains unclear, with no current clinical biomarkers.
- Autotaxin (ATX), a secreted enzyme, is implicated in various fibrotic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum autotaxin (ATX) levels in patients with hematological disorders.
- To explore the potential of ATX as a diagnostic biomarker for bone marrow (BM) fibrosis.
- To assess the correlation between ATX levels and the severity of BM fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Serum ATX levels were analyzed in 198 patients with hematological disorders and 160 healthy controls.
- An ATX ratio was calculated to account for sex-based differences in ATX levels.
- Trephine biopsy samples from 53 patients were assessed for Reticulin and Collagen Fibrosis Indices.
Main Results:
- Patients with hematological disorders exhibited significantly higher ATX ratios compared to controls, particularly those with malignant lymphoma.
- Lymphoma patients with BM fibrosis showed a higher ATX ratio than those without fibrosis.
- A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the Collagen Fibrosis Index and the ATX ratio.
Conclusions:
- The ATX ratio shows promise as a candidate diagnostic biomarker for BM fibrosis.
- This biomarker may be particularly useful in selected patients, including those with malignant lymphoma.
- Further research is warranted to validate ATX as a reliable biomarker for BM fibrosis.
