As part of Beutner Laboratories' commitment to research, especially into autoimmune skin conditions, we are pleased to share an important step forward right here in Western New York. Following the most recent joint study between Dr. Raminder K. Grover and Dr. Lakshmanan Suresh, Tricia Farrell, MT and Nancy Angierski, MT of Beutner Laboratories, we are excited to announce New York State's official approval of a laboratory test recently commercialized for early diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare autoimmune disorder that is almost always linked to an underlying bone marrow disorder. First distinguished by Anhalt Get al. in 1990 as separate from pemphigus vulgaris (PV), PNP exhibits distinctive autoantibodies against plakin proteins. Diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) depends on the identification of antiplakin antibodies, or evidence that the body is creating specific antibodies against certain of its own cells or proteins. Previously, diagnosis was done by indirect immunofluorescence of patient blood samples. This technique, although easily performed, has a sensitivity and specificity of only 75% to 83%. Utilizing ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antibodies to PNP specific protein, envoplakin can be easily detected in the blood of patients with this diseases.
Because envoplakin (EP) autoantibodies are present in 91–100% of cases, they are considered an important diagnostic marker for paraneoplastic pemphigus. However, there have been few studies available comparing the utility of EP ELISA in the diagnosis of PNP. This is why the research that has been and continues to be conducted right here in Buffalo, NY is so important to the development of understanding and diagnosis of this disease. We are excited to receive approval from the State of New York, and we will continue our important work towards fast, accurate diagnosis to ensure that doctors and their patients can get from illness to healing more quickly.
Download a PDF of the abstract of the study, titled "Utility of Envoplakin ELISA in Diagnosis of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus," by clicking the link below.