Diabetic Patients Identified at Risk of ESRD

A novel test accurately identifies diabetic patients at high risk of progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD) up to 10 years in advance of currently available tests.

The new Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor 1 (sTNFr1) test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that is performed on an easy-to-use microtiter plate. It has the potential to significantly improve diabetic patient management and outcomes. Standard laboratory equipment can be used to analyze just 50 µL of blood serum or plasma. The test uses monoclonal antibodies to give accurate and reliable results in a few hours. There is minimal interference and no cross reactivity with sTNFr2. EKF’s new sTNFr1 test accurately and reliably detects circulating levels of sTNFr1 in patient samples. Research has demonstrated that high circulating levels of sTNFr1 are strongly associated with progression to ESRD in patients both with and without overt nephropathy.

EKF’s (Cardiff, United Kingdom) sTNFr1 test resulted from last year’s license agreement with the Joslin Diabetes Center (Boston, MA, USA), for the exclusive rights to its novel kidney biomarker intellectual property (TNFr1 and 2). Since the signing of last year’s agreement, EKF has worked in partnership with Joslin and other European diabetic research centers to further validate the findings for the two markers and to develop the new clinical diagnostic test. Research has demonstrated that high circulating levels of sTNFr1 are strongly associated with progression to ESRD in patients both with and without overt nephropathy.

Julian Baines, group CEO of EKF Diagnostics, commented, “Our new sTNFr1 test adds greatly to information provided by standard clinical criteria and provides accurate long term prognostic information for ESRD with the potential to streamline diabetic patient management, reduce time and costs, and improve patient outcome.”

The sTNFr1 test was highlighted at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 73rd Scientific Session held on June 21–25, 2013, in Chicago (IL, USA).

At ADA 2013, EKF also demonstrated its STAT-Site M meter for quantitative determination of ß-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), which is largely recognized as the standard of care in ketone testing.

Related Links:
EKF
Joslin Diabetes Center