Extract
Sarcoidosis is a systemic, granulomatous disease that can manifest in multiple organs [1]. Several biomarkers are used to assess disease activity and monitor response to therapy, including soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) [2]. sIL-2R was previously shown to correlate with the amount of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [3]. Furthermore, it was shown that sIL-2R >4000 pg·mL−1 was a significant predictor of relapse after discontinuation of infliximab therapy and that sIL-2R is a suitable prognostic marker for disease progression [4, 5]. We observed, however, that in a small number of patients with co-existing renal insufficiency, sIL-2R can be disproportionately high without marked signs of disease activity based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), ACE and the clinical presentation. The aim of this pilot study is therefore to evaluate the influence of renal function on sIL-2R levels to determine if and how the marker can be used in sarcoidosis patients with renal insufficiency. In order to further illustrate the discrepancy, we first describe two cases.
Abstract
Levels of soluble IL-2 receptor can be discrepantly elevated in sarcoidosis patients with renal insufficiency http://ow.ly/ICVrY
Acknowledgements
We thank Ellen Tromp, statistician at St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, for her statistical assistance.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received January 13, 2015.
- Accepted January 25, 2015.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015