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Roumeliotou A, Strati A, Chamchougia F, Xagara A, Tserpeli V, Smilkou S, Lagopodi E, Christopoulou A, Kontopodis E, Drositis I, Androulakis N, Georgoulias V, Koinis F, Kotsakis A, Lianidou E, Kallergi G. Comprehensive Analysis of CXCR4, JUNB, and PD-L1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from Prostate Cancer Patients. Cells 2024; 13:782. [PMID: 38727318 PMCID: PMC11083423 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
CXCR4, JUNB and PD-L1 are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. The current study investigated these biomarkers in CTCs isolated from metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) patients at the RNA and protein levels. CTCs were isolated from 48 mPCa patients using the Ficoll density gradient and ISET system (17 out of 48). The (CK/PD-L1/CD45) and (CK/CXCR4/JUNB) phenotypes were identified using two triple immunofluorescence stainings followed by VyCAP platform analysis. Molecular analysis was conducted with an EpCAM-dependent method for 25/48 patients. CK-8, CK-18, CK-19, JUNB, CXCR4, PD-L1, and B2M (reference gene) were analyzed with RT-qPCR. The (CK+/PD-L1+/CD45-) and the (CK+/CXCR4+/JUNB+) were the most frequent phenotypes (61.1% and 62.5%, respectively). Furthermore, the (CK+/CXCR4+/JUNB-) phenotype was correlated with poorer progression-free survival [(PFS), HR: 2.5, p = 0.049], while the (CK+/PD-L1+/CD45-) phenotype was linked to decreased overall survival [(OS), HR: 262.7, p = 0.007]. Molecular analysis revealed that 76.0% of the samples were positive for CK-8,18, and 19, while 28.0% were positive for JUNB, 44.0% for CXCR4, and 48.0% for PD-L1. Conclusively, CXCR4, JUNB, and PD-L1 were highly expressed in CTCs from mPCa patients. The CXCR4 protein expression was associated with poorer PFS, while PD-L1 was correlated with decreased OS, providing new biomarkers with potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyro Roumeliotou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (A.R.); (F.C.)
| | - Areti Strati
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (V.T.); (S.S.); (E.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Foteini Chamchougia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (A.R.); (F.C.)
| | - Anastasia Xagara
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (A.X.); (F.K.); (A.K.)
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group, 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Victoria Tserpeli
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (V.T.); (S.S.); (E.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Stavroula Smilkou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (V.T.); (S.S.); (E.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Elina Lagopodi
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (V.T.); (S.S.); (E.L.); (E.L.)
| | | | - Emmanouil Kontopodis
- Department of Oncology, Venizeleion General Hospital of Heraklion, 71409 Heraklion, Greece; (E.K.); (I.D.); (N.A.)
| | - Ioannis Drositis
- Department of Oncology, Venizeleion General Hospital of Heraklion, 71409 Heraklion, Greece; (E.K.); (I.D.); (N.A.)
| | - Nikolaos Androulakis
- Department of Oncology, Venizeleion General Hospital of Heraklion, 71409 Heraklion, Greece; (E.K.); (I.D.); (N.A.)
| | - Vassilis Georgoulias
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group, 11526 Athens, Greece;
- First Department of Medical Oncology, Metropolitan General Hospital, 15562 Athens, Greece
| | - Filippos Koinis
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (A.X.); (F.K.); (A.K.)
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group, 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece; (A.X.); (F.K.); (A.K.)
- Hellenic Oncology Research Group, 11526 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Lab, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (V.T.); (S.S.); (E.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Galatea Kallergi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry/Metastatic Signaling, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (A.R.); (F.C.)
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Stergiopoulou D, Smilkou S, Georgoulias V, Kaklamanis L, Lianidou E, Markou A. Development and Validation of a Novel Dual-Drop-off ddPCR Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Ten Hotspots PIK3CA Mutations. Anal Chem 2023; 95:14068-14076. [PMID: 37681347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Approximately 40% of patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative breast cancer have activating mutations in the PIK3CA gene. We developed a highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and reproducible dual-drop-off droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the simultaneous detection of ten hotspots of PIK3CA mutations in plasma cell-free (cf) DNA. We first evaluated the analytical specificity, sensitivity, limit of blank, repeatability, and reproducibility of the assay, which simultaneously detects seven mutations in exon9 and three in exon20. We further applied this assay in 11 gDNA and 18 plasma cfDNA samples from healthy donors and 35 plasma cfDNA samples from metastatic breast cancer patients. The assay is highly sensitive, specific, and applicable for clinical samples containing at least 1-5% mutant DNA. We detected PIK3CA mutations in 9/35(26%) plasma cfDNA samples in exon 9 and in 9/35(26%) in exon 20. Direct comparison of the developed assay with amplification refractory mutation system-based PCR (using plasma samples) and with the Food and Drug Administration-approved cobas PIK3CA mutation assay (using formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples) showed high concordance of our developed assay with the cobas PIK3CA assay. The developed assay is cost-effective and can reliably and simultaneously detect ten hotspot PIK3CA mutations in plasma cfDNA. The clinical performance of the assay will be further evaluated in liquid biopsy samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Stergiopoulou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Panepistimiopolis, Ilissia, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Smilkou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Panepistimiopolis, Ilissia, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis Georgoulias
- First Department of Medical Oncology, Metropolitan General Hospital, 264 Mesogion Avenue, 15562 Cholargos, Athens, Greece
| | - Loukas Kaklamanis
- Department of Pathology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Leof. Andrea Siggrou, 176 74 Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Panepistimiopolis, Ilissia, Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Markou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Panepistimiopolis, Ilissia, Athens, Greece
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Smilkou S, Ntzifa A, Stergiopoulou D, Blache Q, Remy M, Jovelet C, Mallory A, Lianidou E. Abstract 6701: 6-color Crystal Digital PCR for the high-plex detection of 10 ESR1 mutations in breast cancer. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-6701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction. ESR1 mutations have emerged as a key mechanism of resistance to endocrine therapy in estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, thus detection of ESR1 mutations is crucial to monitor during patient treatment. We evaluated a novel 12plex breast cancer assay for the detection of 10 ESR1 mutations and AKT1 E17K in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using 6-color Crystal Digital PCRTM (naica® system, Stilla Technologies, France). We further compared the results with our previously reported ESR1 NAPA assay for D538G, Y537S, Y537C and Y537N mutations (Stergiopoulou et al, Cancers, 2021).
Patients and Methods. Using the 6-color Crystal Digital PCRTM breast cancer 12plex assay, we analyzed 35 plasma cfDNA samples from ER+ breast cancer patients and 10 plasma cfDNA from healthy donors (HD). We also analyzed the same cfDNA samples using the ESR1 NAPA assay.
Results. The Stilla 6-color breast cancer assay revealed in 5/35 (14,3%) ER+ cfDNA samples the AKT1_E17K and ESR1 D538G mutations. ESR1 D538G was detected in 4/35 ER+ cfDNA samples with the ESR1 NAPA assay. Direct comparison between Crystal Digital PCR™ and the ESR1 NAPA assay revealed a high concordance (97.1%) for 34/35 samples tested, for the detection of the D538G mutation, and with a higher sensitivity for the Stilla 6-color breast cancer assay. The ESR1 mutations Y537S, Y537C and Y537N were not detected by either method in any of the plasma-cfDNA samples. No AKT1 E17K or ESR1 mutations were detected in cfDNA from HD plasma.
Conclusions. The naica® system 12plex ESR1 assay is quantitative, highly sensitive and easy to perform using plasma-cfDNA samples. The use of highly multiplexed Crystal Digital PCR™ shows great promise for clinical utility for ER+ breast cancer patient monitoring.
Key words: Circulating tumor DNA; Crystal Digital PCR™, ESR1 mutations; liquid biopsy; mutation monitoring, 6-color multiplexing;
Citation Format: Stavroula Smilkou, Aliki Ntzifa, Dimitra Stergiopoulou, Quentin Blache, Myrtille Remy, Cecile Jovelet, Allison Mallory, Evi Lianidou. 6-color Crystal Digital PCR for the high-plex detection of 10 ESR1 mutations in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6701.
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Zavridou M, Smilkou S, Tserpeli V, Sfika A, Bournakis E, Strati A, Lianidou E. Development and Analytical Validation of a 6-Plex Reverse Transcription Droplet Digital PCR Assay for the Absolute Quantification of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers in Circulating Tumor Cells of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clin Chem 2022; 68:1323-1335. [PMID: 36093578 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used as a predictive liquid biopsy test in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We developed a novel 6-plex reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) assay for the absolute quantification of 4 prostate cancer biomarkers, a reference gene, and a synthetic DNA external control (DNA-EC) in CTCs isolated from mCRPC patients. METHODS A novel 6-plex RT-ddPCR assay was developed for the simultaneous absolute quantification of AR-FL, AR-V7, PSA, and PSMA, HPRT (used as a reference gene), and a synthetic DNA-EC that was included for quality control. The assay was optimized and analytically validated using DNA synthetic standards for each transcript as positive controls. Epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive CTC fractions isolated from 90 mCRPC patients and 11 healthy male donors were analyzed, and results were directly compared with reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for all markers in all samples. RESULTS Linear dynamic range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, intra- and interassay precision, and analytical specificity were determined for each marker. Application of the assay in EpCAM-positive CTC showed positivity for AR-FL (71/90; 78.9%), AR-V7 (28/90; 31.1%), PSA (41/90; 45.6%), PSMA (38/90; 42.2%), and HPRT (90/90; 100%); DNA-EC concentration was constant across all samples. Direct comparison with RT-qPCR for the same markers in the same samples revealed RT-ddPCR to have superior diagnostic sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Our 6-plex RT-ddPCR assay was highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and enabled simultaneous and absolute quantification of 5 gene transcripts in minute amounts of CTC-derived cDNA. Application of this assay in clinical samples gave diagnostic sensitivity and specificity comparable to, or better than, RT-qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Zavridou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Smilkou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Victoria Tserpeli
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Sfika
- Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Bournakis
- Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Areti Strati
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Tsitsilonis OE, Paraskevis D, Lianidou E, Terpos E, Akalestos A, Pierros V, Kostaki EG, Kastritis E, Moutsatsou P, Politou M, Scorilas A, Sphicopoulos T, Thomaidis N, Trougakos IP, Tsakris A, Voulgaris N, Daskalaki CC, Evangelakou Z, Fouki C, Gianniou DD, Gumeni S, Kostopoulos IV, Manola MS, Orologas-Stavrou N, Panteli C, Papanagnou ED, Rousakis P, Sklirou AD, Smilkou S, Stergiopoulou D, Tsiodras S, Dimopoulos MA, Sfikakis PP. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Asymptomatic in Nearly Half of Adults with Robust Anti-Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:207. [PMID: 33801380 PMCID: PMC7998869 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Between June and November 2020, we assessed plasma antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein in 4996 participants (aged 18-82 years, 34.5% men) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The weighted overall prevalence was 1.6% and monthly prevalence correlated with viral RNA-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in Greece, in the same period. Notably, 49% of seropositive cases reported no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection-related clinical symptoms and 33% were unsuspected of their previous infection. Additionally, levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against the spike-protein receptor-binding domain were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, irrespective of age and gender. Using Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization-approved assays, these results support the need for such studies on pandemic evaluation and highlight the development of robust humoral immune responses even among asymptomatic individuals. The high percentage of unsuspected/asymptomatic active cases, which may contribute to community transmission for more days than that of cases who are aware and self-isolate, underscores the necessity of measures across the population for the efficient control of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.G.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Department of Chemistry, NKUA, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.L.); (N.T.); (S.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.T.); (E.K.); (M.-A.D.)
| | | | - Vassilios Pierros
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (T.S.)
| | - Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.G.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Efstathios Kastritis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.T.); (E.K.); (M.-A.D.)
| | - Paraskevi Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece;
| | - Marianna Politou
- Hematology Laboratory-Blood Bank, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Thomas Sphicopoulos
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (T.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Thomaidis
- Department of Chemistry, NKUA, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.L.); (N.T.); (S.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Ioannis P. Trougakos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | | | | | - Christina C. Daskalaki
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Zoi Evangelakou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Christina Fouki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.G.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Despoina D. Gianniou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Sentiljana Gumeni
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Ioannis V. Kostopoulos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Maria S. Manola
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Orologas-Stavrou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Chrysanthi Panteli
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Eleni-Dimitra Papanagnou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Pantelis Rousakis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Aimilia D. Sklirou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.S.); (I.P.T.); (C.C.D.); (Z.E.); (D.D.G.); (S.G.); (I.V.K.); (M.S.M.); (N.O.-S.); (C.P.); (E.-D.P.); (P.R.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Stavroula Smilkou
- Department of Chemistry, NKUA, 15771 Athens, Greece; (E.L.); (N.T.); (S.S.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece;
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece; (E.T.); (E.K.); (M.-A.D.)
| | - Petros P. Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece;
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Tsitsilonis OE, Paraskevis D, Lianidou E, Pierros V, Akalestos A, Kastritis E, Moutsatsou P, Scorilas A, Sphicopoulos T, Terpos E, Thomaidis N, Tsakris A, Voulgaris N, Daskalaki CC, Evangelakou Z, Fouki C, Gianniou DD, Gumeni S, Kostaki EG, Kostopoulos IV, Manola MS, Orologas-Stavrou N, Panteli C, Papanagnou ED, Rousakis P, Sklirou AD, Smilkou S, Stergiopoulou D, Trougakos IP, Tsiodras S, Sfikakis PP, Dimopoulos MA. Seroprevalence of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among the Personnel and Students of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece: A Preliminary Report. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E214. [PMID: 32967110 PMCID: PMC7555935 DOI: 10.3390/life10090214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to early implementation of public health measures, Greece had low number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 severe incidents in hospitalized patients. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (ΝΚUA), especially its health-care/medical personnel, has been actively involved in the first line of state responses to COVID-19. To estimate the prevalence of antibodies (Igs) against SARS-CoV-2 among NKUA members, we designed a five consecutive monthly serosurvey among randomly selected NKUA consenting volunteers. Here, we present the results from the first 2500 plasma samples collected during June-July 2020. Twenty-five donors were tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 Igs; thus, the overall seroprevalence was 1.00%. The weighted overall seroprevalence was 0.93% (95% CI: 0.27, 2.09) and varied between males [1.05% (95% CI: 0.18, 2.92)] and females [0.84% (95% CI: 0.13, 2.49)], age-groups and different categories (higher in participants from the School of Health Sciences and in scientific affiliates/faculty members/laboratory assistants), but no statistical differences were detected. Although focused on the specific population of NKUA members, our study shows that the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Igs for the period June-July 2020 remained low and provides knowledge of public health importance for the NKUA members. Given that approximately one in three infections was asymptomatic, continuous monitoring of the progression of the pandemic by assessing Ig seroprevalence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania E Tsitsilonis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Department of Chemistry, NKUA, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Vassilios Pierros
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Efstathios Kastritis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Sphicopoulos
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, NKUA, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, NKUA, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Christina C Daskalaki
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Zoi Evangelakou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Fouki
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Despoina D Gianniou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Sentiljana Gumeni
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis V Kostopoulos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria S Manola
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Chrysanthi Panteli
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni-Dimitra Papanagnou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Pantelis Rousakis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia D Sklirou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Ioannis P Trougakos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Soritios Tsiodras
- Fourth Department of Propedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, NKUA, 12462 Haidari, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, NKUA, 15772 Athens, Greece
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