Serum MPO-DNA Complexes as a Biomarker of Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

September 1, 2026 updated by: Amira Khalid Ahmed Othman, Assiut University

Serum Myeloperoxidase-DNA Complexes as a Novel Biomarker of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by immune system dysregulation and inflammation affecting multiple organs. A key mechanism in its development involves the excessive formation and impaired clearance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which release myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) complexes into the circulation. Although standard laboratory markers like complement proteins (C3, C4) and anti-dsDNA antibodies are routinely used, they often show inconsistent sensitivity in monitoring disease activity and flare-ups.

The primary purpose of this observational study is to evaluate serum MPO-DNA complexes as a circulating biomarker of NET formation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The study aims to:

  • Measure serum MPO-DNA complex levels in active SLE patients compared to age- and sex-matched inactive SLE controls.
  • Assess the correlation between MPO-DNA complex levels and clinical disease activity measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score.
  • Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MPO-DNA complexes compared to conventional inflammatory and immunological markers (ESR, CRP, C3, C4, and anti-dsDNA).

Participants will undergo routine clinical assessments and standard blood sampling to measure routine laboratory parameters and circulating MPO-DNA complex levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

90

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult and adolescent patients (older than 16 years) diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria, attending the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Department and the Clinical Pathology Department at Assiut University Hospitals. The cohort comprises both active SLE patients and age- and sex-matched inactive SLE patients.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to the 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria.
  • Age older than 16 years.
  • Provision of written informed consent prior to study enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age 16 years or younger.
  • Overlapping autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease).
  • Concurrent active severe infections.
  • Malignancy.
  • Pregnancy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Active SLE Patients
Consists of 45 patients clinically diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus according to the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria, presenting with active disease as determined by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Serum samples are collected to measure circulating myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) complexes via ELISA alongside routine inflammatory and immunological markers.
Inactive SLE Controls
Consists of 45 age- and sex-matched patients clinically diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus according to the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria, presenting with inactive disease (clinical remission) based on SLEDAI-2K scoring. Serum samples are collected to evaluate baseline circulating MPO-DNA complex levels and routine laboratory parameters for comparative analysis.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Serum Myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) Complex Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline
Circulating levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) complexes, measured in optical density (OD) units or ng/mL using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to evaluate neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and compare active versus inactive SLE patients.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assiut University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 1, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MPO-DNA in Lupus Activity

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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