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Test ID: Infliximab
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Infliximab
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Infliximab
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Useful For
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The measurement of circulating infliximab concentrations forms part of therapeutic drug monitoring for patients treated with this drug.
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Method name and description
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An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used for the measurement of infliximab.
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Clinical information
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Inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with a variety of immunomodulatory drugs. One of these drugs is infliximab which is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFalpha.
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Specimen type: Blood (serum)
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL serum
Specimen container: gel tube (yellow top) or red top tube
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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Separate the serum as quickly as possible to avoid hemolysis.
Therapy phase must be specified on request.
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Relevant clinical information to be provided
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Storage and transport instructions
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Blood samples can be transported at ambiant temperature as quickly as possible.
Serum samples are stable for up to 3 - 4 days at 2-8°C.
Serum samples are stable for up to 1 year when frozen at -20°C. Frozen samples should be kept frozen during transport. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
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Specimen Rejection Criteria
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Insufficient sample volume received.
Gross haemolysis
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Person not on treatment
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Negative
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Sub-therapeutic level
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< 3 μg/mL
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Normal therapeutic level
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3.0 – 7.0 μg/mL
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Elevated level
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> 7.0 μg/mL
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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The treatment phase and time relative to the previous dose
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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Turnaround time: 10 working days
The test is performed at least fortnightly
Specimen retention time: 4 days
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