The purpose of this study is to prospectively asses established biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients and will include assessment of a number of biomarkers, genomics and proteomics.
A prospective observation study examining the clinical utility of novel pleural fluid, biopsy and serum biomarkers for the investigation of pleural effusions (INVEST). The INVEST study will collect blood, pleural fluid and tissue samples from donors, allowing the opportunity to apply several novel blood and pleural fluid tests with interpretation of results in the context of clinical data and diagnostic suspicion. Through the prospective application of multiple tests, we aim to validate the sensitivity and specificity of existing biomarkers and identify novel markers that aid in the diagnostic pathway of pleural diseases. Because samples and data will be stored for future use, many other different tests, methods and techniques may be used in the future to provide information that we cannot foresee.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
313
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Protein expression levels of specific biomarkers
All study samples will be analysed with specific laboratory based techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA, or luminex assay. \- Existing biomarkers will be prospectively evaluated based on the underlying disease: * Mesothelin * Procalcitonin * Brain natriuretic peptide * Fibulin * Osteopontin * ADA * additional markers will be included on the panel depending on the patient's underlying disease this could include inflammatory markers, cancer related peptides and immune cell profiling. The above tests have been demonstrated in the BTS Guidelines in pleural disease entitled "Investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion in adults" to have utility in the diagnosis of infectious, malignant, tuberculous and heart failure related effusion. Samples will also be processed for the identification of novel markers with diagnostic or therapeutic importance. Specific cell population will be measured with flow cytometry to detect the immune response of different
Time frame: At enrolment
The analysis of protein and gene expression profile in cell subpopulation of pleural fluid, pleural and endobronchial biopsies and blood samples.
To correlate gene expression, immune sub population, protein levels with pleural disease prognoses
Time frame: At enrolment
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