BPI and asthma: However, it can already be noted that BPI (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) has been found to be of potential value as a biomarker in patients with asthma,76 as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.77 DEFA1 and DEFA3 have been identified as potential inflammatory biomarkers for coronary heart disease.78 CEACAM8, another member of the carcinoembryonic cell adhesion molecule family, has been found to be of potential value as a prognosis marker in patients with esophageal cancer and in patients with sepsis.79,80