The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of BCMA in a biological sample, specifically upon the B cell surface. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing or currently suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as SLE, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This diagnostic test serves to predict a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment, in particular treatment with BLyS antagonists, either singly or in combination with other immune suppressive drugs.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing or detecting an autoimmune disease in an individual, the method comprising or consisting of the steps of (a) providing a sample obtained from an individual to be tested; and (b) measuring the presence and/or amount in the test sample of one or more biomarkers selected from the group defined in Table 1(A), Table 1(B), Table 1(C), Table 1(D) and/or Table 1(E) wherein the presence and/or amount in the sample of the one or more biomarker(s) is indicative of an autoimmune disease in the individual. The invention also provides an array and a kit suitable for use in the methods of the invention.

A mAb or Taxilin alpha-binding fragment thereof (“Taxilin alpha”) having an antibody heavy chain; an antibody light chain, an antibody comprising a heavy chain and/or an antibody. A kit of the same monoclonal antibody or Taxilin alpha-binding fragment thereof. A method of making the Taxilin alpha. The making method requires separating the Taxilin alpha from a cell culture that expresses the Taxilin alpha.

Provided are antibodies, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds human IL-21, These antibodies are useful in immunoassays of IL-21 levels, and/or in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro immunochemical and other imaging methods for determining the presence of IL-21 and/or quantifying IL-21 levels, and for diagnostic, prognostic and predictive purpose, and or optimizing therapeutic regimens in patients in which IL-21 signaling is implicated in pathogenesis.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a culture, e.g. an organoid culture of ovarian cancer or cancer precursor cells, particularly of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma cells. By means of this method, an organoid culture of ovarian cancer or cancer precursor cells and a biobank comprising a plurality of different organoid cultures of ovarian cancer or cancer precursor cells may be generated. Further, a culture medium suitable for the long-term culture of ovarian cancer or cancer precursor cells is provided. Furthermore, use of the organoid culture and the biobank for medical applications, e.g. in the field of diagnostics, and therapy and in the field of drug screening is described.

The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of BCMA in a biological sample, specifically upon the B cell surface. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing or currently suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as SLE, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This diagnostic test serves to predict a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment, in particular treatment with BLyS antagonists, either singly or in combination with other immune suppressive drugs

A method of screening an individual for an autoimmune disease comprising analyzing a blood sample, containing at least one biomarker, from an individual wherein the blood sample is suspended and preserved by a blood stabilizing solution and wherein the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren's syndrome.

This document relates to materials and methods for identifying and monitoring immunoglobulin cleavage (e.g., IgG cleavage) in a sample, such as a biological sample, using mass spectrometry techniques.

A method, assay, peptide and antibody that forms an antibody-antigen conjugate with the peptide comprising the amino acid sequence: GPPPPPGKPQGPPPQGGNKPQGPPPPGKPQGPPAQGGSKSQSARAPPGKPQGPPQQEGNNPQGPPPPAGGNPQQPQAPP or an amino acid sequence that is at least 75% identical to said sequence, and the formation of an antigen-antibody conjugate is a positive indicator for Sjgren's Syndrome.