Savara Therapeutics has announced a new diagnostic test for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP).
aPAP is a rare autoimmune lung disorder. It is the most common form of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. There is a wide variance in disease severity and symptoms. Some people may not have any noticeable symptoms, while others can present with progressive difficulty breathing and shortness of breath upon exertion. Other signs and symptoms may include a dry, chronic cough, fatigue, weight loss, chest pain, and a general feeling of ill health. In rare cases, coughing up of blood, rounding and swelling of the tips of the fingers, and cyanosis may be present. aPAP is caused by an immune system malfunction, due to IgG antibodies that block the granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) effect. GM-CSF is a protein that regulates clearance of surfactant by alveolar macrophages. The surfactant piles up in the air sacs of the lungs and eventually leads to an inability to breathe.
The aPAP ClearPath Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Test is a serum-based assay. The DBS test demonstrates a high correlation between GM-CSF autoantibody levels in dried serum and traditional serum samples. The test has achieved 100% analytical sensitivity and specificity in a cohort of patients with confirmed GM-CSF autoantibody status.
By ensuring reliable results, effective and accessible diagnostic testing provides hope for patients who can get a diagnosis earlier on in disease progression and access treatment options.
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To learn more about aPAP and other rare lung diseases, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/lung-diseases/