Translating molecular medicine into clinical tools: doomed to fail by neglecting basic preanalytical principles

• Main Authors: Mannello Ferdinando, Jung Klaus, Lein Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-10-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/7/1/87

<p>Abstract</p> <p>This commentary discusses a study on measurements of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in serum of pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients recently published in Journal of Molecular Medicine. This study can be considered the typical "obstacle" to effective translational medicine as previously documented in <it>JTM </it>journal. Although serum has been frequently proven as inappropriate sample for determining numerous circulating MMPs, among them MMP-9, there are over and over again studies, as in this case, that measure MMP-9 in serum. Comparative measurements in serum and plasma samples demonstrated higher concentrations for MMP-9 in serum due to the additional release from leukocytes and platelets following the coagulation/fibrinolysis process. From this example it can be concluded that translating basic research discoveries into clinical tools needs a more intensive exchange between basic biomedical research and clinical scientists already in an early stage. Otherwise a lost of translation, as discussed in <it>JTM </it>journal, seems to be inevitable.</p>