Clinical utility of selected disease activity markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of this study was to assess the utility of measurement of thr ombomodulin, antinucleosome antibodies, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, neopterin, fas li gand, IL-10 and sIL-2R in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare them with traditional markers of SLE activity (anti-dsDNA an tibodies, C3, C4) and the ECLAM index of disease activity. The measurement was performed over a 6-month period at three consecutive time points after 3 months in each of the 52 patients with SLE. Anti-dsDNA antibodies, thromb omodulin, antinucleosome antibodies, sVCAM-1m sICAM-1, neopterin, fas ligan d, IL-10 and sIL-2R were tested by ELISA technique, while C3, C4 components of complement were tested by nephelometry. Fas ligand and IL-10 did not co rrelate with the ECLAM index. The rest of the markers showed significant co rrelation with the disease activity index. Thrombomodulin and anti-dsDNA an tibodies reflect in the best way the changing trend in disease activity. An tinucleosome antibodies seem to be a promising marker useful in early diagn osis. Soluble VCAM-1, sICAM-1, neopterin and sIL-2R are interesting molecul es with a role in disease pathogenesis, but their practical utility is limi ted.