Plasma Proteins Science Day November 7, 2024
Online scientific event brought to you by leading experts

Prof. Dr. Florian Kronenberg, Austria

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is one of the most attractive targets for intervention in cardiovascular disease. Since specific Lp(a)-lowering therapies are under clinical investigation, the interest in measuring Lp(a) has markedly increased. However, its special structure—a highly polymorphic protein—creates difficulties for accurate measurement. 

This lecture discusses the clinical utility of Lp(a) in cardiovascular disease risk assessment and the question of whether Lp(a) should be measured in mass units (mg/dL) or molar units (nmol/L), which causes major confusion in clinical practice.

Dr. Sæmundur Rögnvaldsson, Iceland

Since its introduction in 2002, serum free light chains (sFLC) testing has become a key laboratory parameter for diagnosis and management of monoclonal gammopathies. Currently, several immunoassays for determination of sFLC assays are commercially available, of which some designs employ polyclonal antibodies and others monoclonal antibodies, resulting in different value reporting.

This lecture covers the clinical and laboratory aspects that affect serum free light chains testing in diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies, especially with regard to patients with renal impairment and possible misclassification of patients.

Prof. Dr. Marija Jeluŝić, Croatia

Serum calprotectin plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as it triggers chemotaxis, phagocyte migration, and modulation of neutrophils and macrophages. Calprotectin has been found to correlate with disease activity, and may add additional information to that provided by conventional biomarkers such as CRP.

This lecture provides an overview of the many options for use of serum calprotectin in adult and pediatric patients suffering from autoinflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Still’s disease, vasculitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).  

Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Di Filippo, Italy

The measurement of kappa free light chain (κFLC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum is a newer but already well-established and sensitive biomarker to detect intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis. Recently it has been proposed to use κFLC in CSF as a primary exclusion marker for intrathecal inflammation, which would significantly change the workflow for neurological patients.

The presentation explains the concept of excluding intrathecal inflammation by measuring kFLC in CSF and serum using the kFLC index. It also elaborates on the opportunity of serum neurofilament light chains (sNfL) as a promising biomarker for monitoring disease activity in neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis.