Enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination of free metanephrine and normetanephrine in human plasma.
Catecholamines and their metabolites, metanephrine and normetanephrine, are secreted in excessive amount by various tumors, including paraganglioma, neuroblastoma, and in particular pheochromocytoma. The clinical manifestation of these tumors is highly variable and often resembles symptoms associated with common maladies, predominantly hypertension, headache and sweating.
Biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma is indicated not only in symptomatic patients, but also in patients with adrenal incidentalomas or identified genetic predispositions. It involves measurements of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) and their metabolites (metanephrine, normetanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid) in plasma or urine.
Numerous studies have shown that free metanephrines in plasma are the best markers for the diagnosis of pheochromocytomes (Grossmann et al, 2006; Lenders et al., 2005; Eisenhofer et al., 2000)
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
| Plasma–free metanephrines | 99% | 89% |
| Urinary–fractionated metanephrines | 97% | 69% |
| Urinary catecholamines | 86% | 88% |
| Plasma catecholamines | 84% | 83% |
| Total urinary metanephrines | 77% | 93% |
| Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) | 64% | 95% |
IBL International’s MetCombi Plasma ELISA has been improved
Enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination of free metanephrine and normetanephrine in human plasma. The catecholamines adrenalin, noradrenalin and dopamine are synthesized in the adrenal medulla, the sympathetic nervous system and in the brain. They influence virtually all tissues and are involved together with other hormonal and neuronal systems in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes.
As catecholamines and their metabolites metanephrine and normetanephrine are secreted in increasing amounts in a number of diseases, they may be used for diagnostic purposes.
In this context, diagnosis as well as the follow-up of tumor diseases of the nervous system are of special importance. This applies primarily to the pheochromocytoma, but also the neuroblastoma and the ganglioneuroma.
Malignant growth is described in 10 % of pheochromocytomas. Furthermore, an increase of catecholamines and their metabolites metanephrine and normetanephrine can be observed in the carcinoid.
Data of the last years have shown that the metanephrines in plasma are the best marker for diagnosis and follow-up of pheochromocytoma.
For concrete data please consult the Instruction for Use in the download box on the top right side.
Our comprehensive immunoassay portfolio includes a number of specialty diagnostic immunoassays for endocrinology, immunology and autoimmunity, as well as for diagnosis of multiple infectious diseases. We are pioneers and market leaders in saliva diagnostics, with over 40 years of experience supplying a broad portfolio of luminescence- and ELISA-based tests, including our highly acclaimed HMGB1 and MuSK-Ab ELISAs.
And as experts in laboratory automation, we can support our customers with the protocols for open ELISA platforms, such as the Freedom EVOlyzer or Thunderbolt®.
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