Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that serum ATX levels “represent an accurate, noninvasive biomarker for estimating disease progression in patients with PBC.”
However, they said a longer longitudinal study of patients with PBC looking at ATX levels and clinical features, as well as long-term prognosis and complicating hepatocellular carcinoma, was warranted.
Two coauthors are employees of TOSOH corporation and Inova Diagnostics. The remaining authors had no conflicts to declare related to this study.
SOURCE: Joshita S et al. Scientific Reports. 2018 May 25. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26531-0.
