title: Molecular biomarkers in primary open-angle glaucoma: from noninvasive to invasive.
abstract: Glaucoma, the first cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells. There are different subtypes of glaucoma, all expression of a common optic neuropathy; primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most diffuse subtype in western countries. To date, unfortunately, several questions still remain unsolved in the glaucoma management, such as the availability of powerful methods for screening high-risk populations, early diagnosis, timely detection of damage progression, and prediction of response to therapy. Over the last years, biomarkers have gained immense scientific and clinical interest to solve these issues, with countless molecules that have been candidate as potential biomarkers. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge about the most robust molecular biomarkers proposed in POAG, distinguishing noninvasive from minimally invasive, and invasive biomarkers, according to the procedure adopted to collect fluid samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. Electronic address: l.agnifili@unich.it.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Agnifili
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Unit, Research Centre on Aging (Ce.S.I.), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Damiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pieragostino
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastropasqua
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fasanella
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brescia
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Marco
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Unit, Research Centre on Aging (Ce.S.I.), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sacchetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Science, Ophthalmology Clinic, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mastropasqua
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Aqueous humor; Biomarkers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Primary open-angle glaucoma; Proteomics; Serum; Tears; Vitreous body