ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Br. J. Biomed. Sci.
Evaluation of analytical performance of the Revvity sFlt-1 and PlGF methods for the assessment of Preeclampsia
- RM
Rhiannon Marr 1
- AS
Ana Sofia Cerdeira 2
- IS
Ian Smith 1
- MV
Manu Vatish 2
- TJ
Tim James 1
1. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
2. University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Introduction: The measurement of the angiogenic biomarkers placental like growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) are increasingly used to support the prediction and diagnosis of preeclampsia (PE) in routine clinical practice. There are an increasing number of methods available for the analysis of these markers but data showing the comparability of their analytical comparability is limited. Materials and Methods: The assays for PlGF and sFlt-1 from Revvity were evaluated and compared against Roche methods that are used in current clinical practice in Oxford. Imprecision studies and paired analytical comparisons studies were undertaken and data evaluated for numeric agreement and concordance relative to manufacturer recommended rule-in and rule-out thresholds for PE. Results: Imprecision estimates for the Revvity PlGF and sFlt-1 methods calculated from quality control material analysed during the evaluation were between 3.2 and 9.0 CV%. Revvity method precision profiles derived from 581 clinical specimens analysed in duplicate had a median CV% for PlGF of 1.8%, IQR 2.3% and for sFlt-1 a median CV% of 1.1%, IQR 1.5%. Comparison against the Roche PlGF and sFlt-1 methods in 437 clinical specimens showed an overall Passing-Bablok regression relationship for PlGF of y = -23.4 + 0.73x (r=0.983) and for sFlt-1, y = -87.7 + 0.40x (r=0.971). However, there was statistically significant (p<0.0001) concentration dependant relative bias for both methods and the calculated ratio. Concordance of the sFlt-1:PlGF ratio relative to manufacturer specific rule-in and rule-out thresholds was 95.2%. Discussion: The Revvity methods for PlGF and sFlt-1 are precise and correlate with the Roche methods. However, numeric agreement precludes result interchangeability and the use of common rule-in and rule-out thresholds. The manufacturer specific thresholds should be applied in clinical practice. Further work is required to understand how method differences impact clinical outcomes and their causes.
Summary
Keywords
angiogenic markers, Placental growth factor, Preeclampsia, pregnancy, Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1
Received
25 November 2025
Accepted
11 June 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Marr, Cerdeira, Smith, Vatish and James. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Tim James
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