Full Papers
The clinical potential of serum autotaxin levels at diagnosis as a biomarker for current activity and subsequent complications in patients with microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis
J. Chung1, T. Yoon2, J.W. Ha3, O.C. Kwon4, Y.-B. Park5, S.-W. Lee6
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul; and Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul; and Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. sangwonlee@yuhs.ac
CER19661
Full Papers
PMID: 43001866 [PubMed]
Received: 06/01/2026
Accepted : 09/03/2026
In Press: 27/10/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Autotaxin (ATX), a secretory enzyme that primarily converts lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidic acid, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for inflammatory diseases. In this context, in this study, we investigated the clinical potential of serum ATX levels at diagnosis as a biomarker for current activity and subsequent complications in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) or granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).
METHODS:
The present study included 72 patients with MPA or GPA. Clinical data at diagnosis and during follow-up were retrospectively reviewed, and serum ATX levels were measured using serum samples collected and stored at diagnosis. Disease activity was assessed using the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). All-cause mortality (ACM) and end-stage kidney disease were investigated as systemic complications of MPA and GPA.
RESULTS:
At diagnosis, serum ATX levels were significantly correlated with BVAS, C-reactive protein, and serum albumin levels. Serum ATX levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in deceased patients than in surviving patients. Using a cut-off value of ≥713.9 ng/mL for serum ATAX to predict subsequent ACM, patients with serum ATX ≥713.9 ng/mL exhibited a significantly lower cumulative patients’ survival rate than those with serum ATX <713.9 ng/mL. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, serum ATX ≥713.9 ng/mL was significantly and independently associated with subsequent ACM.
CONCLUSIONS:
In the present study, we demonstrated the clinical potential of serum ATX levels at diagnosis as a useful indicator for assessing current activity and as a predictor of subsequent ACM in patients with MPA or GPA.
