Abstract
Thymus and activation regulated chemokine/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 17 (TARC/CCL17) is a chemokine that acts as a ligand for CCR4 expressed on Th2 cells. In patients with atopic dermatitis, serum TARC levels increase in relation to the severity and acute exacerbation of the disease. The revised 2009 guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis recommended the use of serum TARC level as a marker for the disease. In April 2014, a new serum TARC measurement method using the CLEIA method with a HISCL®TARC kit was applied for Japanese medical insurance purposes. This method utilizes the fully automated enzyme immunoassay analyzer HISCL-2000i, which shortens the measurement time from three and a half hours to approximately 20 minutes. Patients with atopic dermatitis can obtain information on their latest serum TARC levels within a day. By this new method, we can measure high serum TARC levels in samples. A total of 51 samples including residual samples after measuring the serum TARC levels and samples obtained from volunteer staff members of our hospital were analyzed. Specifically, we evaluated the repeatability, reproducibility, dilution linearity, correlation and effect of coexisting substances. Good results were obtained, including the confirmation of dilution linearity using serum TARC levels of up to 50,000 pg/mL. In conclusion, serum TARC measurement by the CLEIA method with HISCL®TARC kits was evaluated using routine results obtained in our hospital for Japanese medical insurance purposes. This new method may lead to early diagnosis, early treatment and adequate follow-up of patients with atopic dermatitis.
