Exploring the Interaction between Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Biologic Treatment in Severe Asthma: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a biomarker of airway inflammation associated with airway hyper-responsiveness and type-2 inflammation. Its role in the management of severe asthmatic patients undergoing biologic treatment, as well as FeNO dynamics during biologic treatment, is largely unexplored. PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate published data contributing to the following areas: (1) FeNO as a predictive biomarker of response to biologic treatment; (2) the influence of biologic treatment in FeNO values; (3) FeNO as a biomarker for the prediction of exacerbations in patients treated with biologics. METHODS: The systematic search was conducted on the Medline database through the Pubmed search engine, including all studies from 2009 to the present. RESULTS: Higher baseline values of FeNO are associated with better clinical control in patients treated with omalizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab. FeNO dynamics during biologic treatment highlights a clear reduction in FeNO values in patients treated with anti-IL4/13 and anti-IL13, as well as in patients treated with tezepelumab. During the treatment, FeNO may help to predict clinical worsening and to differentiate eosinophilic from non-eosinophilic exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline FeNO levels appear to be associated with a greater benefit in terms of clinical control and reduction of exacerbation rate, while FeNO dynamics during biologic treatment remains a largely unexplored issue since few studies have investigated it as a primary outcome. FeNO remains detectable during biologic treatment, but its potential utility as a biomarker of clinical control is still unclear and represents an interesting research area to be developed.

Immune checkpoint analysis of T-cell responses to pp65 and IE-1 antigens in end-stage lung diseases.

Lung transplant (LTX) patients are at high risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which is often associated with high mortality and morbidity. Reactivation of CMV causes cell injury due to the cytopathic effect of viral replication and triggering of T cell immunity. The aim of this study was to compare expression of immune checkpoints (ICs) (PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3 and TIGIT) in CD4, CD8 and CD56 and activation markers CD137, CD154 and CD69 of end-stage patients awaiting lung transplant. Eighteen pre-LTX positive for anti-CMV IgG titres and 18 healthy subjects were enrolled. IC and activation markers have been evaluated through flow cytometric analysis in HC and pre-LTX patients. Reactive (QF+) and unreactive (QF-) patients were stratified according to QuantiFERON-CMV assays. ICs' and activation markers' expression were determined before and after in vitro stimulation with pp-65 and IE-1 antigens. Lower expression of PD-1 was observed in CD4 and CD8 cells of pre-LTX patients than controls, whereas CTLA4 appeared upregulated in CD56 and CD8 cells. TIGIT is increased on the surface of CD4, CD8 and NK cells after peptide stimulation in QF-negative patients and PD-1 is only downregulated after stimulation in the QF-positive patients. This study provides new evidence of immune dysregulation in patients with end-stage lung disorders, particularly in relation to immune checkpoint cell biology. The change in QF+ mostly happens on cytotoxic cells NK and CD8, while the changes in QF- were observed in adaptive immune cells, including CD4 and CD8.

The Effectiveness of Nintedanib in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis and Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Real-World Study.

Background: Nintedanib is an oral multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent evidence demonstrated that nintedanib reduced functional disease progression also in subjects with non-IPF progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD). However, real-life data on the effectiveness of nintedanib in PF-ILD and familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF) are lacking. Methods: this retrospective monocentric study enrolled 197 patients affected with IPF, PF-ILD and FPF treated with nintedanib at the Referral Centre of Siena from 2014 to 2021. Pulmonary functional tests and survival data were collected throughout the observation period for the evaluation of mortality and disease progression outcomes. Results: nintedanib treatment significantly reduced the FVC decline rate in IPF and PF-ILD subgroups, but not in FPF subjects. No significant differences were observed among the subgroups in terms of survival, which appeared to be influenced by gender and impaired lung function (FVC < 70% of predicted value). Concerning disease progression rate, a diagnosis of FPF is associated with more pronounced FVC decline despite nintedanib treatment. Conclusions: our research studies the effectiveness and safety of nintedanib in reducing functional disease progression of IPF and PF-ILD. FPF appeared to be less responsive to nintedanib, even though no differences were observed in terms of survival.

Cytomegalovirus Infection Is Associated with Development of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major and most common opportunistic infection complicating lung transplant (LTX). The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological aspects of CMV infection in lung transplant patients subject to a pre-emptive anti-CMV approach and to study the impact of this infection on lung transplant outcome, in terms of onset of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study enrolled 87 LTX patients (median age 55.81 years; 41 females, 23 single LTX, 64 bilateral LTX). All patients were managed with a pre-emptive anti-CMV approach. The incidences of the first episode of CMV infection, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after LTX, were 12.64%, 44.26%, 50.77% and 56.14%. A median interval of 41 days elapsed between LTX and the first episode of CMV infection. The median blood load of CMV-DNA at diagnosis was 20,385 cp/ml; in 67.64% of cases, it was also the peak value. Patients who had at least one episode had shorter CLAD-free survival. Patients who had three or more episodes of CMV infection had the worst outcome. RESULTS: CMV infection was confirmed to be a common event in lung transplant patients, particularly in the first three months after transplant. It had a negative impact on transplant outcome, being a major risk factor for CLAD. The hypothesis that lower viral replication thresholds may increase the risk of CLAD is interesting and deserves further investigation.

Adaptive immune system in pulmonary sarcoidosis-Comparison of peripheral and alveolar biomarkers.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin. Recent research has focused upon the role of autoimmunity in its development and progression. This study aimed to determine and define the disturbance and distribution of T and B cell subsets in the alveolar and peripheral compartments. Thirteen patients were selected for the study [median age, interquartile range (IQR) = 57 years (48-59); 23% were male]. Twelve healthy controls [median age, IQR = 53 years (52-65); 16% male] were also enrolled into the study. Cellular and cytokine patterns were measured using the cytofluorimetric approach. Peripheral CD8 percentages were higher in sarcoidosis patients (SP) than healthy controls (HC) (p = 0.0293), while CD4 percentages were lower (p = 0.0305). SP showed low bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) percentages of CD19 (p = 0.0004) and CD8 (p = 0.0035), while CD19+ CD5+ CD27- percentages were higher (p = 0.0213); the same was found for CD4 (p = 0.0396), follicular regulatory T cells (Treg ) (p = 0.0078) and Treg (p < 0.0001) cells. Low T helper type 17 (Th17) percentages were observed in BAL (p = 0.0063) of SP. Peripheral CD4+ C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR)5+ CD45RA- ) percentages and follicular T helper cells (Tfh)-like Th1 (Tfh1) percentages (p = 0.0493 and p = 0.0305, respectively) were higher in the SP than HC. Tfh1 percentages and Tfh-like Th2 percentages were lower in BAL than in peripheral blood (p = 0.0370 and p = 0.0078, respectively), while CD4+ C-X-C motif CXCR5+ CD45RA- percentages were higher (p = 0.0011). This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a link between an imbalance in circulating and alveolar Tfh cells, especially CCR4-, CXCR3- and CXCR5-expressing Tfh subsets in the development of sarcoidosis. These findings raise questions about the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and may provide new directions for future clinical studies and treatment strategies.

Immunologic responses to antifibrotic treatment in IPF patients.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease limited to the lungs. Immunological dysregulation may significantly participate in the pathophysiology of IPF. The immunological responses to nintedanib therapy in IPF patients were investigated for the first time in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty IPF patients (median age (IQR) 69 (65-75) years; 38 males), were selected retrospectively. Flowcytometry analysis were performed to phenotype immunological biomarkers in peripheral blood from IPF patients after 1 year of antifibrotic therapy and a group of healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Before starting antifibrotic treatment, IPF patients showed increased CD1d+CD5+ (p = 0.0460), Treg (p = 0.0354), T effector (CD25highCD127high) (p = 0.0336), central cells (CD4+CD45RA-) (p = 0.0354), effector cells (CD4+CD45RA+) (p = 0.0249) and follicular cell percentages (p = 0.0006), notably Tfh1 (p = 0.0412) and Tfh17 (p = 0.0051) cell percentages, in respect with healthy controls (HC). After nintedanib therapy, Breg (p = 0.0302), T effector (p = 0.0468), Th17.1 (p = 0.0146) and follicular cells (p = 0.0006), notably Tfh1 (p = 0.0006) and Tfh17 (p = 0.0182) cell percentages, were significantly decreased. In the logistic regression, Tfh panel showed a significant area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) to distinguish IPF than HC (90.5%), as well as t0 and t1 (99.3%). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the immunological results obtained in this study demonstrate that nintedanib significantly helps to restore immunological responses in IPF patients. These findings will be useful in the search for biomarkers predictive of response to antifibrotic treatment.

Serum Concentrations of KL-6 in Patients with IPF and Lung Cancer and Serial Measurements of KL-6 in IPF Patients Treated with Antifibrotic Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) was suggested as ILD biomarker including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Lung cancer is one of the most severe comorbidity of IPF patients. This study aims to serially analyze KL-6 in IPF patients after 24 months of Nintedanib and to first investigate the biomarker behavior in IPF associated with adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-two ILD patients (median (IQR), 69 (63-75) years; 86 males) were retrospectively enrolled. Serial serum samples were collected from IPF patients before starting antifibrotic therapy and after 12 months. Serum KL-6 levels were measured by KL-6 reagent assay (Fujirebio Europe, UK). RESULTS: Increased KL-6 concentrations were identified in IPF-LC patients than IPF, fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pulmonary fibrosis associated with autoimmune disease groups. A cut-off value was calculated to distinguish IPF and IPF-LC patients. IPF patients monitored for 24 months with Nintedanib showed persisted increased levels of KL-6 with a progressive decline of FVC percentages. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study offers a first demonstration that very high serum concentrations of KL-6 in IPF-LC patients are associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, serial evaluation of serum KL-6 in IPF patients over 24 months of Nintedanib treatment revealed that most patients experienced a stabilization of lung function parameters and of serum concentrations of KL-6.

Systematic Review and Metanalysis of Oncomarkers in IPF Patients and Serial Changes of Oncomarkers in a Prospective Italian Real-Life Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe progressive interstitial lung disease. At 5-year follow-up, 15% of IPF patients develop lung cancer, which significantly reduces the survival rate. Here we review the literature on the clinical role of oncomarkers in IPF progression, and describe the trend of routine oncomarkers in IPF patients over the longest follow-up yet reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of the literature in PubMed was performed to find relevant studies published up to 24 September 2020. The most common oncomarkers were chosen to select papers related to pulmonary fibrosis. Then, 24 IPF patients and 25 non-IPF patients, followed at Careggi ILD Referral Centre and Siena Regional Referral Centre for ILD, were enrolled consecutively. RESULTS: A few studies reported an association between serum oncomarkers and severity of IPF. NSE, CEA, Ca19.9, and Ca125 were higher in the IPF, than in the non-IPF, group at every follow-up (p < 0.05). Ca15.3 concentrations were higher in the IPF, than the non-IPF, group at t3 (p = 0.0080) and t4 (p = 0.0168). To improve the specificity and sensitivity of Ca15.3, a panel of biomarkers was analyzed, with the IPF group as dependent variable, and chitotriosidase, Cyfra 21.1, Ca15.3, Ca125, and Ca19.9 as independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study focused on the discovery of multiple biomarker signatures, such as combinations of oncomarkers, that are widely and routinely available in biochemistry laboratories. The combination of clinical parameters and biological markers could help achieve more accurate results regarding prognosis and response to treatment in IPF. Our results could pave the way for a more "personalized" medical approach to patients affected by IPF.

Coronavirus HKU 1 infection with bronchiolitis, pericardial effusion and acute respiratory failure in obese adult female.

Seven species of coronavirus cause acute respiratory illness in humans. Coronavirus HKU 1 (CoV HKU 1) was first described in 2005 in an adult patient with pneumonia in Hong Kong. Although it is a well-known respiratory tract pathogen, there is not much information about its role in hospitalized adults, especially in southern Europe. Here, we describe a case of radiologically demonstrated CoV HKU 1-related bronchiolitis with acute respiratory failure in an adult female without significant comorbidities except obesity.

The role of the combination of echo-HRCT score as a tool to evaluate the presence of pulmonary hypertension in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest (mPAP ≥ 25 mmHg), evaluated by right heart catheterization (RHC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate HRCT findings in relation to transthoracic echocardiographic data to better characterize PH in IPF patients and to identify a non-invasive composite index with high predictive value for PH in these patients. 37 IPF patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a complete assessment for PH, including transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, HRCT scan and right heart catheterization. Right heart catheterization was done in 19 patients (51.3%) as pre-lung transplant assessment and in 18 patients (48.6%) to confirm PH, suspected on the basis of echocardiography. Twenty out of 37 patients (54%) were confirmed to have PH by RHC. Multivariate regression showed that the combination of sPAP, PA area measured by HRCT and the ratio of the diameter of the segmental artery to that of the adjacent bronchus in the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe was strongly correlated with mPAP (R2 = 0.53; p = 0.0009). The ROC analysis showed that 931.6 was the ULN for PA area, with 86% sensitivity and 61% specificity (0.839 AUC); 20.34 was the ULN for the ratio of PA area to ascending aorta diameter, with 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity (0.804 AUC). The composite index proposed in the present study could help early detection of IPF patients suspected of PH requiring confirmation by RHC (if deemed clinically necessary).

Hypercalciuria in Sarcoidosis: A Specific Biomarker With Clinical Utility.

Background: Changes in calcium metabolism are quite common in sarcoidosis: hypercalciuria is linked to a persistent clinical phenotype and more active disease. No data is yet available on the specificity of parameters of calcium metabolism as biomarkers for distinguishing different chronic interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Here we assessed calcium metabolism in an Italian population of sarcoidosis patients, which included a group with stage IV fibrotic disease, and compared the results with those of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP) patients. Population and Methods: We recruited sarcoidosis, IPF and cHP patients retrospectively. All patients were diagnosed through multidisciplinary discussion and were monitored at the Regional ILD Referral Centre in Siena. Clinical, radiological, functional, immunological and laboratory parameters were collected and entered in an electronic database for data analysis. Results: A total of 305 patients (237 sarcoidosis, 40 IPF and 28 cHP) were enrolled. Sarcoidosis patients included a predominance of females and were significantly younger than IPF and cHP patients (p < 0.0001 for both). In the sarcoidosis population, 17 patients (7.2%) showed radiological evidence of lung fibrosis, according the Scadding classification; fibrotic disease was also confirmed by CT scan. Concerning calcium metabolism, sarcoidosis patients showed significantly higher serum and urinary concentrations of calcium than IPF and cHP patients (p = 0.0004 and p < 0.0001, respectively). These findings were also confirmed when comparing groups with fibrotic sarcoidosis, IPF and cHP (p = 0.0237 and p = 0.0138). According to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, urinary calcium showed better diagnostic accuracy than serum calcium in discriminating sarcoid and non-sarcoid lung fibrosis (AUC 0.7658 vs. 0.6205; p = 0.0026 vs. p = 0.1820). Discussion: Our results confirmed that changes in calcium metabolism, particularly hypercalciuria, occur in a substantial percentage of patients with sarcoidosis. Higher serum and urinary concentrations of calcium were found than in IPF and cHP; the same results were observed when the comparison was limited to patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis, supporting the hypothesis that dysregulation of calcium metabolism may be a special feature of sarcoid granulomas. Hypercalciuria distinguished fibrotic sarcoidosis from IPF and cHP, suggesting that assessment of calcium metabolism may be useful in the diagnostic pathway of ILDs.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treated With Pirfenidone or Nintedanib: A Real-Life Comparison Study.

BACKGROUND: Pirfenidone and nintedanib are the sole pharmacological therapies currently approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Limited comparison data is available in literature, despite they are both prescribed for mild-to-moderate disease. Here, we describe our almost 10 years real-life experience with antifibrotic treatment to investigate potential differences in terms of efficacy. POPULATION AND METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients diagnosed with IPF and treated with pirfenidone or nintedanib at Siena Referral Center. Clinical, functional, safety and radiological data was collected at baseline and during the follow-up, according to our Center protocol. RESULTS: We retrospectively recruited 263 IPF patients (139 treated with pirfenidone and 124 with nintedanib) in the study. After 885.3 ± 559.5 days of observation, the median survival was 1224 days. No significant differences were found between pirfenidone and nintedanib in terms of survival and time to decline of forced vital capacity >10% (p = 0.8786 and p = 0.1677, respectively). A smaller lung diffusion for carbon monoxide (DL CO ) decrease was found after 1 year of therapy with nintedanib in respect to pirfenidone (p = 0.0167). Overall, 21 patients permanently discontinued antifibrotic treatment due to side effects (14 with pirfenidone, 7 with nintedanib); no fatal adverse events were recorded. DISCUSSION: Our results showed a similar effectiveness between pirfenidone and nintedanib in terms of mortality and functional disease progression. Both drugs confirmed their good tolerability profile and no new safety alerts were observed. Nintedanib was associated with a smaller reduction of DL CO after 1 year of follow-up compared with pirfenidone, maybe due to its antiangiogenic properties.

Extended Exhaled Nitric Oxide Analysis in Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a well-known and widely accepted biomarker of airways inflammation that can be useful in the therapeutic management, and adherence to inhalation therapy control, in asthmatic patients. However, the multiple-flows assessment of FeNO can provide a reliable measurement of bronchial and alveolar production of NO, supporting its potential value as biomarker also in peripheral lung diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases (ILD). In this review, we first discuss the role of NO in the pathobiology of lung fibrosis and the technique currently approved for the measurement of maximum bronchial flux of NO (J'awNO) and alveolar concentration of NO (CaNO). We systematically report the published evidence regarding extended FeNO analysis in the management of patients with different ILDs, focusing on its potential role in differential diagnosis, prognostic evaluation and severity assessment of disease. The few available data concerning extended FeNO analysis, and the most common comorbidities of ILD, are explored too. In conclusion, multiple-flows FeNO analysis, and CaNO in particular, appears to be a promising tool to be implemented in the diagnostic and prognostic pathways of patients affected with ILDs.

Adiponectin and leptin levels in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A new method for BAL and serum assessment.

Adipokines (APN) are mainly secreted by adipocytes, macrophages and various other cells, along with their role in the regulation and mediation of inflammatory responses. APN is almost exclusively synthesized by adipocytes and regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) that is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, linked lung fibrosis. Leptin is involved in acute lung injury with a role in lung fibrogenesis. Little is known about the relationship between APN/leptin and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the few studies available in the literature used ELISA to detect these lipid mediators. Our study is also the first to measure adipokines by the new multiplex assay and for the first time were performed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from IPF patients. This preliminary study suggests that APN levels in serum could be useful for predicting the prognosis of IPF, as they are inversely correlated with DLco percentages and BMI. Moreover, this first analysis of APN in BAL from IPF patients by a new method demonstrated an inverse correlation between these levels and BMI values and a direct correlation with eosinophil percentages, both of which are negative prognostic factors of IPF.

Metabolic Dysregulation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibroproliferative disorder limited to the lung. New findings, starting from our proteomics studies on IPF, suggest that systemic involvement with altered molecular mechanisms and metabolic disorder is an underlying cause of fibrosis. The role of metabolic dysregulation in the pathogenesis of IPF has not been extensively studied, despite a recent surge of interest. In particular, our studies on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid have shown that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), the hypoxia/oxidative stress response, and changes in iron and lipid metabolism are involved in onset of IPF. These processes appear to interact in an intricate manner and to be related to different fibrosing pathologies not directly linked to the lung environment. The disordered metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and hormones has been documented in lung, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Correcting these metabolic alterations may offer a new strategy for treating fibrosis. This paper focuses on the role of metabolic dysregulation in the pathogenesis of IPF and is a continuation of our previous studies, investigating metabolic dysregulation as a new target for fibrosis therapy.

Mepolizumab and Benralizumab in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Preliminary Results of a Proteomic Study.

Benralizumab and mepolizumab are new therapies for severe eosinophilic asthma. They are both humanized IgG antibodies, targeting the IL-5 receptor and IL-5, respectively, suppressing the corresponding pathways. No specific biomarkers have been proposed to evaluate treatment response to benralizumab or mepolizumab. The aim of this proteomic study was to compare serum protein profiles of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma before and after anti-IL5 or anti-IL5R therapies. Proteomic analysis highlighted 22 differently abundant spots. Among the proteins identified, CAYP1, A1AT and A2M expression was significantly modified in both groups of patients after therapies while ceruloplasmin showed a significant modification in the group of benralizumab treatment. These differentially expressed proteins could be potential biomarkers of response to mepolizumab and benralizumab treatments and need further evaluation.

Personalized Approach of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma Patients Treated with Mepolizumab and Benralizumab.

BACKGROUND: New anti-IL-5 antibodies, mepolizumab and benralizumab, have recently been approved for severe asthma, sharing the same inclusion criteria. OBJECTIVE: To contribute on biomarkers research leading to the personalized choice, we investigated L-selectin, Krebs von den Lungen (KL-6), and lymphocyte subsets as bioindicators of airway hyper-responsiveness and remodeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 28 patients affected by severe eosinophilic asthma were treated with anti-IL-5 drugs. According to clinical parameters, patients were subdivided into early and partial responders. Lymphocytes subsets were analyzed through flow cytometry, while KL-6 and sL-selectin were analyzed on serum samples. Clinical, functional, and immunological data at baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), and 6 months of therapy were collected in a database. RESULTS: All treated patients showed an increase in the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio and a decrease of peripheral eosinophils for both drugs after 1 month of treatment. Mepolizumab-treated patients also showed decreased CD8+ and NKT-like cell percentages and a significant increase in sL-selectin concentrations between T0 and T1. Stratifying the cohort of our patients in early and partial responders at T0, they showed a reduction of peripheral eosinophils, sL-selectin and KL-6, while no differences were found at T0 between early and partial responders patients treated with benralizumab. CONCLUSIONS: This real-life study provides new insights for the personalized approach to severe asthma therapy. Although preliminary, the results indicate that besides eosinophils, KL-6 and sL-selectin are useful as biomarkers of early response that can also involve in the pathogenesis of severe asthma.

Serum KL-6 concentrations as a novel biomarker of severe COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced direct cytopathic effects against type I and II pneumocytes mediate lung damage. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is mainly produced by damaged or regenerating alveolar type II pneumocytes. This preliminary study analyzed serum concentrations of KL-6 in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to verify its potential as a prognostic biomarker of severity. Twenty-two patients (median age [interquartile range] 63 [59-68] years, 16 males) with COVID-19 were enrolled prospectively. Patients were divided into mild-moderate and severe groups, according to respiratory impairment and clinical management. KL-6 serum concentrations and lymphocyte subset were obtained. Peripheral natural killer (NK) cells/µL were significantly higher in nonsevere patients than in the severe group (P = .0449) and the best cut-off value was 119 cells/µL. KL-6 serum concentrations were significantly higher in severe patients than the nonsevere group (P = .0118). Receiver operating characteristic analysis distinguished severe and nonsevere patients according to KL-6 serum levels and the best cut-off value was 406.5 U/mL. NK cell analysis and assay of KL-6 in serum can help identify severe COVID-19 patients. Increased KL-6 serum concentrations were observed in patients with severe pulmonary involvement, revealing a prognostic value and supporting the potential usefulness of KL-6 measurement to evaluate COVID-19 patients' prognosis.

The Role of Urinary Calcium and Chitotriosidase in a Cohort of Chronic Sarcoidosis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Calcium metabolism alterations are quite common in sarcoidosis and have been correlated with disease activity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical significance of calcium metabolism alterations in patients with chronic sarcoidosis. We paid particular attention to associations with specific disease phenotypes and chitotriosidase (CTO) expression. METHODS: 212 chronic sarcoidosis patients (mean age 56.07 ± 12 years; 97 males) were retrospectively recruited. Demographic, clinical, functional, and radiological data, and serum-urinary calcium metabolism were entered into an electronical database for analysis. Levels of CTO and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were measured and bone mineral density and lung function tests were conducted. RESULTS: Hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia were observed in 18.8 and 1.8% of patients, respectively. Urinary calcium levels correlated with CTO activity (r = 0.33, p = 0.0042). Patients with worsening persistent disease showed the highest levels of urinary calcium. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) percentage correlated inversely with urinary calcium (r = 0.1482; p = 0.0397). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium metabolism alteration, particularly hypercalciuria, was observed in a significant percentage of patients of sarcoidosis. Urinary calcium was correlated with clinical status, DLCO, and serum CTO activity, suggesting its potential role as a biomarker of the activity and severity of sarcoidosis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage and serum KL-6 concentrations in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: correlations with radiological and immunological features.

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP) is a fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) resulting from inhalation of different organic substances and chemical compounds determining an inflammatory and immunological response in sensitized individuals. KL-6, a human mucin protein expressed by type 2 pneumocytes, has been proposed as a prognostic biomarker of cHP. Assessment of usefulness KL-6 in ILD has been investigated primarily in Asiatic population. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical utility of KL-6 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In this study, we retrospectively analysed clinical, radiological and immunological data of a cohort of 42 patients affected by cHP: KL-6 concentrations were collected from serum and BAL. KL-6 clinical value was assessed through the analysis of association between KL-6 concentrations and clinical, functional, immunological and radiological features. KL-6 serum concentration results increased in 28/34 patients (82%). A positive direct correlation was observed between KL-6 concentrations in BAL and serum (r = 0.62, p < 0.05). In our study population we found that patients with extensive presence of ground glass opacities and centrilobular nodules at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed the highest concentrations of KL-6 in BAL and a predominantly CD3+ CD8+ BAL lymphocytosis. BAL lymphocytosis and KL-6 concentrations showed a direct correlation. BAL KL-6, a result of alveolar damage, caused in cHP by CD3+ CD8+ mediated flogosis and suggested by radiological evidence of ground-glass opacities and centrilobular nodules, can be considered a useful biomarker to assess, along with BAL cellular analysis and HRCT findings, disease activity.