Absolutely. But still no funding to implement these spectacular findings…😉 I guess this will be a long learning process for policymakers…

Untargeted. Targeted assays for absolute quantification in a prospective study will now have to be the next step towards implementation

📎 Read the full study here: Nature Commun. 16, 6646 (2025) – DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-61887-8

10/ This work was enabled by all patients participating and central support by the Jörg Bernards-Stiftung and @DFG through the Excellence Initiative (@CECAD). Thank you!
@cecad.bsky.social @unicologne.bsky.social @uniklinikkoeln.bsky.social and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne

9/ Next steps:
• Develop targeted assays for the 6 proteins
• Prospective multicenter validation
• Explore integration with other data layers (e.g. metabolomics) and treatment response
• Ultimate goal: precision-medicine profiling for ADPKD care rdcu.be/exbNq

8/ Why it matters:
✅ Blood-based protein markers are inexpensive and accessible
✅ They improve prediction where MRI and genetics may fall short
✅ Pave the way for targeted assays (e.g. ELISA, mass spec) and prospective clinical use rdcu.be/exbNq

7/ Notably, the proteome data adds predictive information independent of eGFR at baseline. In ROC analysis for identifying rapid progressors (>3 ml/min/yr) adding the protein to MIC enhanced the AUC rdcu.be/exbNq

6/ These models were cross-validated in two large cohorts: an internal cohort (Cologne) and an external cohort using EDTA plasma instead of serum (Groningen). rdcu.be/exbNq

5/ The model based on these 6 proteins was superior to a clinical standard model based on eGFR and Mayo Imaging Class (MIC). Adding the proteins to the clinical standard further improved the model. rdcu.be/exbNq