Kahn N, et al. - Experts sought to evaluate if immature SP-B pre-proteins could have value as a possible biomarker for pulmonary diseases. They measured C-proSP-B using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay based on mouse monoclonal anti-C-proSP-B antibodies, in serum samples from patients with different chronic lung diseases (interstitial lung diseases [ILDs], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, inflammation, patients on ventilator support; total n = 283). Findings suggested that in pulmonary diseases with alveolar or interstitial damage such as ILDs, especially in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), SP-B pre-proteins could serve as a biomarker. Authors noted the ability of C-proSP-B levels to discriminate IPF patients from patients with all other pulmonary diseases.