Siemens Healthineers has unveiled the launch of four novel blood biomarkers, enriching its fully automated inflammation testing panel with a total of seven immunoassays. These assays, boasting turnaround times ranging from 35 to 65 minutes, are conducted on the IMMULITE 2000/2000 XPi Immunoassay System—an extensively available analyzer catering to routine patient testing requirements across 18 disease states, encompassing allergies. This move aims to democratize inflammatory disease testing, making it accessible to laboratories of all sizes.
The inflammation marker panel on the IMMULITE 2000 XPi now incorporates Siemens Healthineers’ established IL-6, IL2R, and LBP markers alongside four new additions: IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and TNFα.
While inflammation is a typical bodily response to infection, severe immune reactions, including cytokine storms and chronic inflammatory conditions, can inflict widespread cellular and organ tissue damage by overburdening healthy cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Siemens Healthineers’ immunoassays detect these critical cytokines involved in inflammation. Early detection can serve as a warning sign to physicians, indicating the onset of inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases and the potential for further harm to patients.
Inflammation can manifest in acute scenarios such as post-operative infections, chronic diseases, or exacerbated immune responses linked to conditions like COVID-19 and sepsis. Elevated serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines have been observed in patients with various conditions, including cytokine storm, respiratory diseases, cancer, major depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
Bob Stowers, Executive Vice President and Head of the Specialty Lab Solutions business for Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers, highlighted the significance of offering this testing on the IMMULITE platform, particularly for hospitalized patients suspected of life-threatening inflammation. Conducting tests within the hospital’s laboratory eliminates the need for outsourcing to third-party reference or specialty laboratories, enabling faster results and earlier intervention while reducing costs and turnaround times.
In comparison to the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, inflammation testing on the IMMULITE analyzers presents several advantages for patients, physicians, and laboratory staff. The analyzers automate sample handling and data analysis, streamlining test reporting to physicians.
