YKL-40 in dialysis patients: another candidate in the quest for useful biomarkers in nephrology.

End-stage renal disease is characterized by widespread inflammation and an increased cardiovascular mortality rate. Biomarkers are frequently examined to diversify risk prediction in addition to the usual clinical variables and also to explore potential pathological mechanisms that may be targets for future intervention. YKL-40 is an inflammatory biomarker that has been examined in a range of diseases and clinical conditions, and now in a dialysis population. The question is whether this marker will provide clues for future interventions.