Inclusion of family members without ME/CFS in research studies promotes discovery of biomarkers specific for ME/CFS, by  in Work 2020 [DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203177]

Research abstract:

BACKGROUND:

The search for a biomarker specific for ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) has been long, arduous and, to date, unsuccessful. Researchers need to consider their expenditures on each new candidate biomarker. In a previous study of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by natural killer lymphocytes, we found lower ADCC for ME/CFS patients vs. unrelated donors but ruled against low ADCC as a biomarker because of similar ADCC for patients vs. their family members without ME/CFS.

OBJECTIVE:

We applied inclusion of family members without ME/CFS, from families with multiple CFS patients, as a second non-ME/CFS control group in order to re-examine inflammation in ME/CFS.

METHOD:

Total and CD16A-positive ‘non-classical’ anti-inflammatory monocytes were monitored.

RESULTS:

Non-classical monocytes were elevated for patients vs. unrelated healthy donors but these differences were insignificant between patients vs. unaffected family members.

CONCLUSIONS:

Inclusion of family members ruled against biomarker considerations for the monocytes characterized. These pilot findings for the non-classical monocytes are novel in the field of ME/CFS. We recommend that occupational therapists advocate and explain to family members without ME/CFS the need for the family members’ participation as a second set of controls in pilot studies to rapidly eliminate false biomarkers, optimize patient antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity participation, and save researchers’ labor.