What is the fibrosure test?

[stacyb321]

Can someone tell me what the fibrosure blood test is and what it reveals?  

[meki]

Sorry - I didn't know the answer.

So I looked it up on Google:
From this website: It kind of explains it. Hope that helps.

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http://www.shareholder.com/lh/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=120480
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HCV FIBROSURETM is a noninvasive blood test, which uses a combination of six serum biochemical markers in a patented algorithm to predict fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in the liver. The extent of fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in the liver is a key component of assessing the need for therapy in HCV infected patients and of predicting the likelihood of progression to cirrhosis.

The current standard of care for assessing liver fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in HCV patients has been a liver biopsy. However, a liver biopsy is an invasive medical procedure that carries with it a risk of serious adverse events due to bleeding and/or other complications.

Using the patented algorithm analysis of results from six serum biochemical markers, HCV FIBROSURETM has been shown in several studies to lead to a quantitative and reproducible assessment of fibrogenic and necrotic activity in the liver of HCV patients. The blood sample can be readily collected in minutes and results can be returned to the physician within days. The innovative, highly sensitive HCV FIBROSURETM assay provides an easily accessible alternative to a liver biopsy in HCV infected patients.

[Bill1954]

Hi Stacy;

Fibrosure is a non-invasive technique for determining liver damage. It seems to correlate with biopsy fairly well when fibrosis is minimal, and again in the later stages of damage; for instance F3 and F4. It is not considered accurate for assessing mid stage fibrosis, and yields no information regarding inflammation. There are other similar techniques such as Fibrospect, etc. Another test known as Fibroscan is currently being developed; it uses different technology and actually ‘pulses’ a sound wave through the liver to measure elasticity. This is currently available in research facilities here in the U.S., although I don’t believe it has been formally accepted by the FDA for clinical use. Personally, if I were to use one of these I would lean heavily toward the Fibroscan. We have a number of members here that have undergone Fibroscan; maybe some of them will weigh in with further information.

Take care,

Bill