Vasile Foris
Medical University of Graz, Austria
Title: A comprehensive approach for blood-derived biomarker assessment in pulmonary hypertension
Biography
Biography: Vasile Foris
Abstract
Background: Apelin, TNF-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK), and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF15) may be suitable for screening and prognostic evaluation in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).
Patients & Methods: We performed a power analysis based on a pilot study in 10 IPAH patients, 10 CTEPH and 10 controls for apelin-12, -13, -17, -36, TWEAK and GDF-15, resulting in n=31 IPAH patients and 24 CTEPH patients needed for a prospective study assessing apelin-17 and GDF-15 as compared to matched controls to provide 80% power for detection of differences.
Results: Apelin-17 was increased in IPAH and in CTEPH as compared to control (p<0.0001 CTRL vs. IPAH, p<0.001 CTRL vs. CTEPH). In addition, GDF-15 was elevated both in IPAH and in CTEPH as compared to control (p<0.0001 CTRL vs. IPAH, p<0.001 CTRL vs. CTEPH). GDF-15 was correlated with NT-proBNP in both IPAH and CTEPH. Area under the ROC curve for apelin-17 and GDF-15 were similar with an AUC of 0.86 and 0.83 respectively. A cut-off value of 1480 pg/mL for apelin-17, detected IPAH with a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 93%. A cut-off value of 1270 pg/ml for apelin-17, detected CTEPH with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 87%.
Conclusion: Among apelin isoforms, apelin-17 may be a promising biomarker for IPAH and CTEPH and performs similar to GDF-15. Both biomarkers may be relevant for both IPAH and CTEPH.
