GCAL®– PLASMA AND SERUM CALPROTECTIN
Routine blood test for the assessment of inflammation activity
Recommended by EULAR, ACR and PReS
What is calprotectin – S100A8/A9 – MRP8/14?
Calprotectin, a member of the S100 protein family, is a 36 kDa heterodimer composed of two calcium-binding proteins, S100A8 and S100A9 (also known as MRP8/14). It is one of the most abundant proteins in the cytosol of phagocytes, particularly neutrophils, where it constitutes approximately 40–60% of the soluble cytosolic proteins.
During an inflammatory response, large amounts of this pro-inflammatory protein are released by activated neutrophils. The concentration of calprotectin in circulation correlates directly with the degree of inflammation.1,2
Calprotectin is a well-established marker of inflammation in faecal samples, widely used in the diagnostics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). More recently, circulating calprotectin has gained recognition as a valuable biomarker for numerous inflammatory diseases, including various rheumatic conditions.3,4
Value of calprotectin in infections and inflammatory conditions
Fast – Sensitive inflammation detection
Direct – Marker of disease activity
Easy – Routine blood test
Diagnostic inflammation marker
Calprotectin is released locally at sites of inflammation, such as inflamed synovium, and enters the systemic circulation where its levels directly indicate disease activity and severity.1,3
Incorporating calprotectin testing into clinical practice for rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), vasculitis and Still’s disease, can offer significant benefits for patient management, by allowing for sensitive assessment of disease activity, more accurate evaluation of treatment response, and timely identification of disease relapse.7-12
Evaluation of disease status
Calprotectin levels correlate with clinical disease scores, ultrasound synovitis, and inflammation markers like CRP and ESR.12-14 Unlike CRP and ESR, calprotectin is more sensitive, detecting low-grade or subclinical inflammation, aiding early flare prediction and challenging treatment decisions.9,10,15-19
Calprotectin measurements also allow a reliable assessment of the patients’ response independent of treatment agent (like IL-6, TNF or JAK inhibitors).12,20,21
Paediatric patient care – JIA, Still’s, Vasculitis
Calprotectin demonstrates significant clinical utility across various paediatric inflammatory conditions. In JIA, it sensitively reflects inflammation, monitors treatment response, predicts flares, and helps assess true remission.3,7-11 For Still’s disease, calprotectin aids in distinguishing it from infections with high diagnostic accuracy11, as endorsed by EULAR/PReS guidelines.6
In vasculitis, including Kawasaki Disease and IgA vasculitis, elevated calprotectin levels correlate with disease activity and long-term risks, such as coronary artery aneurysms, enhancing monitoring and management strategies.22-25
Recommended by EULAR/ACR/PReS
Circulating calprotectin is a growing biomarker in the field of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IDR). It is included in EULAR, ACR, and PReS recommendations for the clinical workup and disease monitoring of interleukin-1 mediated autoinflammatory diseases 5 and the differential diagnosis of Still’s disease.6
Rheumatologists value calprotectin for insights into disease status guiding optimal patient care.
Customer success stories – Calprotectin in clinical use
“At Labor Berlin, which is Europe`s biggest hospital laboratory, we are very pleased about the collaboration with Gentian. Before, while and after the application of their assay Gentian has been a very reliable, helpful partner and we would be pleased about future projects. Implementing their assay has helped us to minimise manual processing of samples, clinicians are very pleased now to get results within hours that can be helpful for the decision on therapies. Collaboration with Gentian has both optimised processes within our lab and improved our patients care notably.“
– Nadine Unterwalder,
Lead Medical Doctor, Labor Berlin
“Since we started performing GCAL® Calprotectin measurement on our fully automated analysers, the biomarker has become a new routine inflammation marker with strong informative value for all practitioners, in addition to other inflammatory biomarkers. Gentian’s GCAL® Calprotectin is a robust assay in ad equation with our laboratory quality requirements. Collaborating with Gentian in implementing the biomarker in our catalogue was easy and efficient. News fields of applications for calprotectin have raised in addition to the interest in ICU patients, such as for patients with vascularity, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)“
– Dr. Camille Chenevier-Gobeaux,
APHP Centre – Université de Paris, France
Learn more: Advantages of calprotectin in plasma and serum
GCAL® Calprotectin – Inflammation insights with one standard blood test
GCAL®, the Gentian Calprotectin Immunoassay, is the first turbidimetric assay for the quantitative measurement of calprotectin in plasma and serum intended as an aid in the detection and assessment of inflammation.
The GCAL® assay offers clinicians a valuable tool for the early detection, assessment, and monitoring of systemic inflammation. As a rapid and sensitive marker of innate immune activation, calprotectin plays a crucial role in identifying acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).
Gentian GCAL®, unlike conventional assays, utilises avian antibodies, significantly reducing interference and cross reactivity from complement system, rheumatoid factor and HAMA antibodies, ensuring high specificity and reliability. By integrating GCAL® into routine clinical practice, clinicians gain enhanced diagnostic precision, supporting timely decision-making and improved patient outcomes.
“Many rheumatologists find that circulating calprotectin provides valuable insights into disease status, guiding optimal patient care.”
Elin Godager
Global Product Manager, GCAL® Calprotectin
Circulating calprotectin on clinical chemistry systems – TAT 10 min
Many lab managers working with Gentian find that the IVDR-certified plasma and serum calprotectin assay – GCAL® is a reliable, versatile, and fast solution that integrates seamlessly into existing lab equipment.
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- High-throughput analysis compatible with standard lab workflow
- Open access for clinical chemistry analysers
- CE-marked in compliance with IVDR
All kit components are ready-to-use with calibrator and dedicated controls. Additionally, the reagent kit is available in two sizes, catering to the needs of all laboratories—from smaller facilities to high-volume routine users.
Streamlined lab processes and enhanced diagnostic precision with GCAL®.
