Blood Phosphorylated Tau: New Biomarker for Amyloidosis | Nature Medicine Summary
A newly identified blood biomarker, phosphorylated tau, shows promise in detecting amyloidosis caused by immunoglobulin light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) proteins, according to research published today in Nature Medicine.
The study, led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, details the elevation of phosphorylated tau in the blood of patients diagnosed with AL and ATTR amyloidosis. Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs, disrupting their normal function. AL amyloidosis is caused by abnormal plasma cells, while ATTR amyloidosis results from misfolded transthyretin protein.
Currently, diagnosing amyloidosis often requires invasive tissue biopsies to confirm the presence of amyloid deposits. This new biomarker offers the potential for a less invasive diagnostic approach, potentially accelerating diagnosis and treatment initiation. The research team’s findings suggest that measuring phosphorylated tau levels in blood samples could serve as a screening tool or aid in monitoring disease progression.
The study builds on increasing recognition of the role of tau protein in neurodegenerative diseases, but marks a novel application in the context of systemic amyloidosis. Researchers at Kaeser Lab, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, have recently published several studies focused on synaptic function and protein interactions, including work on Munc13 and active zone protein machineries (Nature, 2024; bioRxiv, 2025). This latest research extends their focus to systemic disease biomarkers.
The development of reliable biomarkers is particularly crucial for ATTR amyloidosis, where early diagnosis is linked to improved outcomes with emerging therapies, including gene therapies. An editorial published in Nature Medicine on March 13, 2026, emphasized the need for robust investment, transparency, and regulatory frameworks to support the advancement of genetic therapies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in translating new technologies to patient benefit.
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Further research is planned to validate these findings in larger patient cohorts and to determine the optimal use of phosphorylated tau as a clinical biomarker. The study authors have not yet commented on the potential timeline for clinical implementation.