Evaluation of Multiplexed Cytokine and Inflammation Marker Measurements: a Methodologic Study

Abstract

Background Chronic inflammation is etiologically-related to several cancers. We evaluated the performance (ability to detect concentrations above the assay’s lower limit of detection, coefficients-of-variation [CVs], and intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs]) of 116 inflammation, immune, and metabolic markers across two luminex bead-based commercial kits and three specimen types. Methods From 100 cancer-free participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Trial, serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma samples were utilized. We measured levels of 67 and 97 markers using Bio-Rad and Millipore kits, respectively. Reproducibility was assessed using 40 blinded duplicates (20 within-batches and 20 across-batches) for each specimen type. Results A majority of markers were detectable in >25% of individuals on all specimen types/kits. Of the 67 Bio-Rad markers, 51, 52, and 47 markers in serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma, respectively, had across-batch CVs <20%. Likewise, of 97 Millipore markers, 75, 69, and 78 markers in serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma, respectively, had across-batch CVs <20%. When results were combined across specimen types, 45 Bio-Rad and 71 Millipore markers had acceptable performance (>25% detectability on all 3 specimen types and across-batch CVs <20% on at least 2 of 3 specimen types). Median concentrations and ICCs differed to a small extent across specimen types and to a large extent between Bio-Rad and Millipore. Conclusions Inflammation and immune markers can be measured reliably in serum and plasma samples using multiplexed luminex-based methods. Impact Multiplexed assays can be utilized for epidemiologic investigations into the role of inflammation in cancer etiology.

How to: Measuring blood cytokines in biological psychiatry using commercially available multiplex immunoassays

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The limitations of opportunistic epidemiology, pseudopod epidemiology

“…The goal may be number of publications, grants, and successful identification of ''risk factors'' with significant p values [53].…”

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