Optimizing cutpoints for clinical interpretation of brain amyloid status using plasma p‐tau217 immunoassays

Abstract

AbstractINTRODUCTIONWe aimed to evaluate clinical interpretation cutpoints for two plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)217 assays (ALZpath and Lumipulse) as predictors of amyloid status for implementation in clinical practice.METHODSClinical performance of plasma p‐tau217 against amyloid positron emission tomography status was evaluated in participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia (n = 427).RESULTSUsing a one‐cutpoint approach (negative/positive), neither assay achieved ≥ 90% in both sensitivity and specificity. A two‐cutpoint approach yielding 92% sensitivity and 96% specificity provided the desired balance of false positives and false negatives, while categorizing 20% and 39% of results as indeterminate for the Lumipulse and ALZpath assays, respectively.DISCUSSIONThis study provides a systematic framework for selection of assay‐specific cutpoints for clinical use of plasma p‐tau217 for determination of amyloid status. Our findings suggest that a two‐cutpoint approach may have advantages in optimizing diagnostic accuracy while minimizing potential harm from false positive results.Highlights Phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)217 cutpoints for detection of amyloid pathology were established. A two‐cutpoint approach exhibited the best performance for clinical laboratory use. p‐tau217 assays differed in the percentage of results categorized as intermediate.