From the Guidelines
The S100 proteins panel is a valuable diagnostic tool, particularly for monitoring disease progression in melanoma patients, and I recommend ordering this panel when evaluating for certain cancers, inflammatory disorders, or neurological damage, as supported by the most recent evidence from 1.
Significance of S100 Proteins Panel
The S100 proteins panel measures specific calcium-binding proteins in the blood, primarily used as biomarkers for various conditions. This panel typically includes several S100 protein subtypes, with S100B being the most clinically significant, as it indicates blood-brain barrier disruption or melanoma progression.
Clinical Applications
- The panel is useful in evaluating patients with certain cancers, particularly melanoma, where S100B is elevated.
- It is also used in assessing inflammatory disorders or neurological damage.
- Normal values are generally below 0.1 μg/L, though reference ranges vary by laboratory.
Interpretation and Considerations
When ordering this test, collect blood in a serum separator tube and note that results may be affected by recent tissue injury, stroke, or certain medications. Interpretation should consider clinical context, as elevated levels can indicate disease progression in cancer patients or neurological damage following trauma.
Evidence-Based Recommendation
According to the most recent guidelines from 1, rising levels of serum S100 protein have a higher specificity for disease progression than lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and are therefore the most accurate blood test in the follow-up of melanoma patients, if any blood test is recommended at all.
Key Points
- S100 proteins function as calcium sensors and regulators of cellular processes, which explains their release during tissue damage or active disease states.
- Their tissue-specific distribution makes them valuable diagnostic markers, though they should be used alongside other clinical findings rather than in isolation.
- The use of S100 proteins panel should be guided by the clinical context and the latest evidence, as seen in studies such as 2 and 1, which emphasize its role in monitoring melanoma progression.
From the Research
Significance of S100 Proteins in Clinical Diagnosis
The S100 protein family has been recognized as a valuable tool in clinical diagnosis, with various members of the family being used as biomarkers for different diseases.
- S100B is a reliable biomarker of active neural distress, and its levels in biological fluids can aid in monitoring the trend of neural disorders 3.
- The protein has been linked to various diseases, including acute brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, congenital/perinatal disorders, and psychiatric disorders 3, 4.
- S100B has also been shown to be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and management of malignant melanoma, with elevated levels indicating poor prognosis and tumor progression 5.
- The S100 protein family as a whole has been identified as important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in laboratory medicine, with applications in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune pathologies 6.
- In pediatrics and neonatology, S100 proteins such as S100A8, S100A9, S100A12, and S100B have been found to be useful diagnostic markers for various conditions, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, and rheumatology 7.
Clinical Applications of S100 Proteins
The clinical applications of S100 proteins are diverse and continue to expand as research progresses.
- S100B has been used to monitor the progress of neural disorders and to predict treatment outcomes 3, 4.
- S100 proteins have been used as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, with S100B being a particularly useful marker for malignant melanoma 5.
- The S100 protein family has been identified as a potential target for therapeutic interventions, with S100B being a key player in the development of new treatments for neural disorders 3, 6.
- In pediatric medicine, S100 proteins have been found to be useful in the diagnosis and management of various conditions, including infections, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders 7.