CC-chemokine ligand 18, CXC motif chemokine 13 and osteopontin as biomarkers of silicosis and asbestosis: a prospective observational study.

Silicosis and asbestosis, distinct forms of pneumoconiosis, manifest progressive interstitial fibrosis due to exposure to silica dust or asbestos fibers. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosing silicosis and asbestosis, while also evaluating disease severity and prognosis. We undertook an prospective observational study involving patients with silicosis or asbestosis. The correlation between baseline CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), CXC motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13), osteopontin (OPN), periostin, and fibulin-3 and clinical variables was analyzed. Diagnostic sensitivity was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, and correlations between baseline biomarker levels and disease severity were analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression assessed the baseline concentrations' strength in predicting all-cause mortality for silicosis and asbestosis. Of 231 silicosis and 163 asbestosis included in the study, 29 silicosis (12.6%) and 28 (17.2%) asbestosis died within the five years follow-up period. Elevated baseline concentrations of CCL18, CXCL13, and OPN were observed in 231 silicosis patients and 163 asbestosis patients compared to 118 HCs. Diagnostic accuracy for silicosis or asbestosis, in order, was CCL18, OPN, and CXCL13. Combining CCL18, OPN, and CXCL13 enhanced diagnostic accuracy. In silicosis patients, these concentrations were significantly associated with lung function values. However, these biomarkers were not the risk factor for all-cause mortality. CCL18, CXCL13, and OPN stand out as promising biomarkers for diagnosing silicosis and asbestosis. Meanwhile, CCL18, CXCL13, and OPN may be used for the evaluation of silicosis conditions.