Fact 13: The Role of Biomarkers in HLH Diagnosis and Management
In the world of medicine, biomarkers serve as biological indicators that can aid in diagnosing diseases, assessing disease severity, predicting outcomes, and monitoring responses to treatment. In the context of HLH, various biomarkers are used to shed light on the complex pathophysiology of the disease.
Ferritin, a protein involved in iron storage, is one of the most widely recognized biomarkers in HLH. Extremely high levels of ferritin in the blood are often indicative of HLH. Other common biomarkers include soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble CD25, and various cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
Biomarkers are a critical tool in the diagnosis of HLH. While the presence of these biomarkers alone cannot confirm HLH – they can be elevated in other conditions as well – they form an integral part of the HLH diagnostic criteria. When used in combination with other clinical and laboratory findings, these biomarkers can provide valuable clues to the presence of HLH.
The role of biomarkers extends beyond diagnosis. They can be used to monitor disease activity, assess treatment response, and even predict prognosis in HLH. For instance, persistently high levels of certain biomarkers despite treatment might suggest an inadequate response to therapy. (13)
