Plasma and urine biomarkers in chronic kidney disease: closer to clinical application

Purpose of review Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent disease, causing significant health and economic burden worldwide. It is of strong clinical value to identify novel prognostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of kidney function, as current available measures have limitations. We reviewed the advances in biomarkers in CKD over the preceding year. Recent findings The most frequently studied prognostic plasma biomarkers during recent year were plasma TNFR1, TNFR2, KIM1 and urinary MCP-1 and EGF. New biomarkers such as plasma WFDC2, MMP-7, EFNA4, EPHA2 may also have potential to serve as prognostic biomarkers. There is a shortage of data on biomarkers that are predictive of response to treatments. Data on novel biomarkers to serve as pharmacodynamic biomarkers are limited, but there are emerging data that plasmaTNFR1, TNFR2, KIM-1 are not only prognostic at baseline, but can also contribute to time-updated response signals in response to therapy. Data continue to emerge on applicable biomarkers for prognostic clinical risk stratification, prediction of therapeutic response and assessment of early efficacy of interventions. Although more studies are needed for refinement and specific clinical utility, there seems to be sufficient data to support clinical implementation for some biomarkers.