New Diagnostic for Acute Renal Failure

A new urine assay is designed to detect early signs of acute renal failure (ARF) in order to help prevent onset and reverse kidney damage.

The assay, called Nephroscreen, is based on the detection of adenosine deaminase-binding protein (ADBP) in urine, which is released from kidney brush border epithelial cells into the urine during ARF. The protein can be measured within a few hours after onset of ARF when damage to the kidney can be reversed.

Traditionally, ARF diagnosis is based on urine output, blood-urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels, which indirectly measure glomerular filtration rate, as well as other physical symptoms. One of the most significant ARF markers in serum is creatinine, which rises relatively slowly over the course of several days, and often after damage has already occurred to the kidney. Studies have shown that ADBP can be detected up to seven days before a rise in creatinine.

ARF is commonly observed in the emergency room setting where early intervention plays a critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality. Almost 90% of ARF is potentially reversible if the diagnosis can be made early during the process of kidney damage. Thus, ADBP measurement followed by early intervention offers an opportunity to reverse ARF before kidney damage becomes permanent. The measurement of this protein using the Nephroscreen assay provides an early quantitative indicator of ARF.

"Acute renal failure affects roughly one-third of critically ill patients, with a mortality rate of 50% or more--apparently higher if it occurs in hospital,” said Dr. Richard D. Gill, president and CEO of Signet Laboratories (Dedham, MA, USA), which developed Nephroscreen. "Unfortunately, in most cases, by the time you can detect creatinine, it's already too late. Kidney damage has set in, possibly permanent, with all its consequences.”

Signet Laboratories is a pioneering, evidence-based medicine company that is committed to developing and commercializing predictive diagnostics and preventive drugs and therapies for critical disease states.




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