Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has introduced ELF test, an automated liver fibrosis test which acts as an indicator of chronic liver disease (CLD).
The ELF test is a non-invasive blood test designed to evaluate liver fibrosis and Siemens claims the test provides results in less than one hour.
The ELF test combines three serum biomarkers Hyaluronic acid (HA), Procollagen III amino terminal peptide (PIIINP) and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1).
The ELF test has been clinically validated on an Immuno-1 auto analyser in an international multi-centre study with a mix of patient groups, including viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and alcoholic patient groups.
Additionally, a 7-year follow-up study involving over 450 patients has shown that the ELF markers are at least comparable to liver histology at predicting clinical outcomes of CLD.
University College London Centre for Hepatology joint director and Peter Scheuer Chair in Liver Diseases William Rosenberg said the ELF test helps to identify patients with mild-to-moderate liver fibrosis, so that clinicians are able to intervene before significant damage to the liver occurs.