We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC

BIO-RAD LABORATORIES

Provides full range of instrumentation, reagent kits, software and quality control systems to clinical laboratories. ... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Pre-Analytical Stability of Serum Biomarkers for Neurological Disease Investigated

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Apr 2022

Blood-based biomarkers are gaining increasing attention in the clinical field of neurological diseases, as they could contribute to accurate monitoring and prediction of disease and treatment outcomes. More...

Neurofilament-light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and contactin-1 (CNTN1) are blood-based biomarkers that could contribute to monitoring and prediction of disease and treatment outcomes in neurological diseases. Pre-analytical sample handling might affect results, which could be disease-dependent.

Neurochemists at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) tested common handling variations in serum of volunteers as well as in a defined group of patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Sample sets from five pwMS and five volunteers at the outpatient clinic were collected. The team investigated the effect of the following variables: collection tube type, delayed centrifugation, centrifugation temperature, delayed storage after centrifugation and freeze-thawing.

Prior to the NfL and GFAP analyses, serum samples were rapidly thawed, vortexed and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 10 minutes at room temperature. NfL and GFAP were simultaneously analyzed by a Simoa Single Molecule Array platform using the HDx analyzer with the Neurology 2-Plex B multiplex assay (Quanterix, Billerica, MA, USA). Prior to CNTN1 analysis, in a second set of aliquots, serum samples were thawed, vortexed and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 10 minutes at room temperature. The samples were analyzed using the Human contactin-1 Magnetic Luminex Assay (R&D systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) on a Bio-Plex 200 system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA).

The scientists reported that for most pre-analytical variables, serum NfL and CNTN1 levels remained unaffected. In the total group, NfL levels increased (121%) after 6 hours of delay at 2–8  °C until centrifugation, while no significant changes were observed after 24 hours delay at room temperature (RT). In pwMS specifically, CNTN1 levels increased from additional freeze-thaw cycles number 2 to 4 (111%–141%), whereas volunteer levels remained stable. GFAP showed good stability for all pre-analytical variables. Serum NfL levels were relatively higher in pwMS (median 6.9 pg/mL, compared to volunteers (4.8 pg/mL). The same was found for serum GFAP levels (pwMS: 60.5 pg/mL; volunteers: 52.1 pg/mL). Serum CNTN1 levels were relatively lower in pwMS (8,103 pg/mL) compared to volunteers (10,671 pg/mL).

The authors concluded that overall, the serum biomarkers tested were relatively unaffected by variations in sample handling. For serum NfL, they recommend storage at RT before centrifugation at 2–8  °C up to 6 hours or at RT up to 24 hours. For serum CNTN1, they advise a maximum of two freeze-thaw cycles. Their results confirm and expand on recently launched consensus standardized operating procedures. The study was published in the journal Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Related Links:
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 
Quanterix 
R&D systems 
Bio-Rad Laboratories 


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
See-Saw Rocking Shaker
SH-200D-S-L
New
Multilevel Whole Blood Calibrator Set
6PLUS1
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Schematic overview of the deep learning-based circulating exosome analysis for lung cancer detection (Photo courtesy of Chuan Xu, Cheng Jiang)

Liquid Biopsy Approach to Transform Diagnosis, Monitoring and Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths globally, with its biological complexity and diverse regulatory processes making diagnosis and treatment particularly difficult.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The Aiforia Breast Cancer Grading AI solution is CE-IVD marked (Photo courtesy of Aiforia Technologies)

Clinical AI Solution for Automatic Breast Cancer Grading Improves Diagnostic Accuracy

Labs that use traditional image analysis methods often suffer from bottlenecks and delays. By digitizing their pathology practices, labs can streamline their work, allowing them to take on larger caseloads... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.