Koch Lea¹, Wagner Tom², Schmidt Ben³, Wagner Lea⁴, Meyer Emma⁵, Richter Nina⁶
ABSTRACT:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a major challenge in critical care, with high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis and limited therapeutic options. Recent advances in high-throughput proteomics and transcriptomics have identified novel biomarkers that improve early detection, risk stratification, and mechanistic understanding of AKI. This review evaluates the clinical utility of emerging biomarkers, including NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, and transcriptomic signatures, in differentiating AKI etiologies and predicting outcomes. We discuss the integration of multi-omics data with clinical parameters, challenges in biomarker validation, and translational applications in personalized nephrology. The review highlights future directions, such as point-of-care testing and AI-driven biomarker panels, to enhance AKI management in intensive care settings.