Biomarker Research¶
This section documents the clinical and analytical research behind the biomarkers measured on the Migibio FICT platform: SDMA, NT-proBNP, CRP, SAA, and cystatin C.
A biomarker is only as useful as the evidence behind it. This section explains, for each marker: what it measures, why it is clinically significant, how it is validated, and where it fits in a veterinary diagnostic workflow.
Biomarker Overview¶
| Biomarker | Organ / System | Clinical Use | Detection Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDMA | Kidney (renal function) | Early CKD detection; IRIS staging | Rises at ~40% GFR loss (earlier than creatinine) |
| NT-proBNP | Heart (cardiac) | Heart-failure detection and staging | Elevated in cardiac stretch/overload |
| CRP | Acute-phase protein (canine) | Systemic inflammation, infection | Rises within hours of inflammatory stimulus |
| SAA | Acute-phase protein (feline) | Inflammation (major feline APP) | Rises within hours; faster than CRP in cats |
| Cystatin C | Kidney (renal function) | GFR estimation, less muscle-dependent | Rises with reduced GFR |
Why These Five¶
The portfolio is built around the highest-value quantitative markers in small-animal practice:
- Renal (SDMA, cystatin C) — kidney disease is a leading cause of morbidity in geriatric dogs and cats, and early detection changes outcomes. SDMA's muscle-mass independence (unlike creatinine) makes it a superior early marker.
- Cardiac (NT-proBNP) — distinguishes cardiac from respiratory causes of dyspnea and stages heart failure.
- Inflammatory (CRP, SAA) — acute-phase proteins differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory disease and monitor treatment response. CRP is the dominant canine APP; SAA is the dominant feline APP.
Validation Approach¶
Each biomarker assay is validated for:
- Analytical performance — LOD, LOQ, precision, linearity, accuracy (see Analytical Performance).
- Clinical correlation — agreement with clinical diagnosis and, where relevant, reference methods.
The full validation framework is in Biomarker Validation Overview.
Where to Find the Numbers¶
| Need | Location |
|---|---|
| Reference ranges & cutoffs | Data Hub — Biomarker Data |
| Assay-specific LOD/CV% | Data Hub — Assay Performance |
| Clinical interpretation guides | Knowledge Base — Biomarkers & Organ Function |
FAQ¶
Why use SDMA instead of creatinine alone? SDMA rises when GFR drops to ~40% loss, while creatinine rises only at ~75% loss — and SDMA is independent of muscle mass, so it is not falsely low in cachectic or geriatric patients.
Are CRP and SAA interchangeable? No — they are species-specific in clinical utility. CRP is the primary canine acute-phase protein; SAA is the primary feline acute-phase protein. Using the wrong species' marker reduces sensitivity.
How fast do acute-phase proteins rise? CRP and SAA typically rise within 4–24 hours of an inflammatory stimulus, making them useful for same-day triage of inflammatory vs non-inflammatory disease.
For the scientific mechanism of the platform, see FICT Technology.
Authored by: Migibio Clinical & Scientific Affairs, Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.
Reviewed by: Migibio R&D Quality Committee
Last updated: 2026-08-13
Disclosure: Migibio (Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.) is the manufacturer of the FIA680/FIA880 analyzers and FICT reagents referenced in this content. See our Editorial & Review Policy.