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 relates generally to methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development or the therapy control of spondyloarthritis (Spa), in particular, of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis in a subject, in particular in mammals. In addition, the present invention relates to test kits for use in the diaposis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, in a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, it a subject analysing for the presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB in a subject. The presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB is indicative for the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. In particular, detection of the presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB allows early diagnostic of Spa, in particular, AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.

The present invention provides new protease resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.

The present invention refers to osteomodulin (OMD) protein or fragment of osteomodulin (OMD) protein for use in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis of mammals, preferably human individuals. The present invention further refers to a method for prognosis and/or diagnosis of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis, comprising the following steps: i) measuring osteomodulin (OMD) protein or a fragment or fragments of osteomodulin (OMD) protein in samples of body fluids of mammalian individuals, preferably human serum samples; ii) judging that decreased levels of osteomodulin (OMD) protein or of said fragment(s) compared to levels in body fluids, preferably serum, of healthy individuals indicate onset of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis. The present invention also provides an immunological binding partner specifically binding to osteomodulin (OMD) protein or fragment of osteomodulin (OMD) protein for use in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis of mammals, preferably human individuals and a kit comprising said immunological binding partner.

The present invention relates to anti-ROR2 inhibitors and uses thereof in treating and/or preventing cartilage loss.

Provided herein is an antibody specifically reactive with an N-terminus neo-epitope of collagen type X alpha 1 in the amino acid sequence H.sub.2N-GIATKGLNGP, and its use in an immunoassay for evaluating a disease associated with collagen type X alpha 1, such as osteoarthritis.

The present invention provides means and methods for treating Interleukin 18 (IL-18)-associated diseases and disorders. In particular, the present invention discloses antibodies specific for free IL-18 and IL-18 Binding Protein (IL-18BP) for use in such treatments and for the diagnosis of the indications.

The present invention relates to biomarkers associated with the clinical response to an FGF-18 compound before or during treatment of a cartilage disorder. The present invention more particularly relates to specific proteins present in the blood, serum, synovial fluid or in the urine, which can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of cartilage disorders. The invention further discloses specific proteins that are related to cartilage response to an FGF-18 compound treatment as well as diagnostic tools and kits based on their expression profile. Thus, the invention can be used in predicting the response to an FGF-18 compound treatment, before starting the treatment with FGF-18 or during the treatment. It could be used for selecting/identifying subjects to be treated by intra-articular administration of an FGF-18 compound. The use of these biomarkers in diagnostics could result in increased benefit and reduced risk in subjects.

A method of electronically diagnosing a cause of an inflamed and/or painful joint of a patient using a joint specific biological material, the method including: receiving, data regarding tests performed on the joint specific biological material; determining if osteoarthritis (OA) is the cause of the inflamed and/or painful joint based upon one or more of the tests, wherein the diagnosing is based upon a level of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and a ratio of COMP to interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the joint specific biological material; if the one or more of the tests indicate OA is not the cause of the inflamed joint, determining if inflammatory arthritis, crystalline arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, possible septic arthritis or septic arthritis is the cause of the inflamed joint based upon a further plurality of the tests; and generating a sample results report with result data including diagnosis for use by a clinician.

The present invention provides new protease resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.