Circulating fgfbp-1 (fibroblast growth factor-binding pro-tein 1) in the assessment of atrial fibrillation and for the prediction of stroke

A method for predicting the risk of stroke in a subject, comprising the steps of

• (a) determining, in at least one sample from the subject, the amount of the biomarker FGFBP-1 (Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1) and, optionally, the amount of at least one further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 (Angiopoietin 2) and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), and
• (b) assessing the clinical stroke risk score for said subject, and
• (c) predicting the risk of stroke based on the results of steps a) and b).

A method for improving the prediction accuracy of a clinical stroke risk score for a subject, comprising the steps of

• a) determining, in at least one sample from the subject, the amount of the biomarker FGFBP-1 (Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1) and, optionally, the amount of at least one further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 (Angiopoietin 2) and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), wherein the subject has a known clinical stroke risk score, and
• b) combining a value for the amount of FGFBP-1 and/or the amount of one or more biomarkers comprising of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1, ANGT2, IGFBP7 with the clinical stroke risk score, whereby the prediction accuracy of said clinical stroke risk score is improved.

A method of aiding in the assessment of atrial fibrillation, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing at least one sample from a subject,
• b) determining, in the at least one sample provided in step a), the amount of the biomarker FGFBP-1 (Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1) and, optionally, the amount of at least one further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), and
• c) providing information on the determined amount of the biomarker FGFBP-1 and optionally on the determined amount of the at least one further biomarker to a physician, thereby aiding in the assessment of atrial fibrillation.

A method for aiding in the assessment of atrial fibrillation, comprising:

• a) providing an assay for the biomarker FGFBP-1 and, optionally, at least one further assay for a further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), and
• b) providing instructions for use of assay results obtained or obtainable by said assay(s) in the assessment of atrial fibrillation.

A computer-implemented method for assessing atrial fibrillation, comprising

• a) receiving, at a processing unit, a value for the amount of FGFBP-1, and, optionally at least one further value for the amount of at least one further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), wherein said amount of FGFBP-1 and, optionally, the amount of the at least one further biomarker have been determined in a sample from a subject,
• b) comparing, by said processing unit, the value or values received in step (a) to a reference or to references, and
• c) assessing atrial fibrillation based in the comparison step b).

A kit comprising an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to FGFBP-1 and at least one further antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof selected from the group consisting of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to a natriuretic peptide, an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to ESM-1 and an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to IGFBP7.

In vitro use of

• i) the biomarker FGFBP-1 and optionally of at least one further biomarker selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide, ESM-1 (Endocan), Ang2 and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), and/or
• ii) at least one agent that specifically binds to FGFBP-1, and, optionally, at least one further agent selected from the group consisting of an agent which specifically binds to a natriuretic peptide, an agent which specifically binds to ESM-1, an agent which specifically binds to Ang2 and an agent which specifically binds to IGFBP7,
• for a) assessing atrial fibrillation, b) predicting the risk of stroke in a subject, and for c) improving the prediction accuracy of a clinical stroke risk score.