Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing or predicting the response of a human patient to treatment of periodontal disease. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva of a patient, the concentrations are measured of certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and at least one of Interleukin-1-beta (I-1β) and 5 Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations as measured, at least one value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This at least one value may indicate the probability that human patient has been or will be successfully treated for the periodontitis. The at least one value can be compared with at least one threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with successful treatment of 10 periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the periodontal treatment status in said patient.

The present invention encompasses filamin A (FLNA) binding proteins. Specifically, the invention relates to antibodies to FLNA. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention in methods of diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis or prostate cancer are also provided.

Methods of assessing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and methods of using the data obtained from assessing CTCs are provided. The methods employ negative selection and 3D cell culture techniques to isolate and culture CTCs. Those CTCs then can be used in different bioassays or evaluations, such as to determine tumor morphology, monitor tumor status, predict prognosis, provide treatment suggestion, and assess treatment effectiveness.

A method for identifying and enumerating candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is described. The method includes obtaining a biological fluid specimen, preparing the biological fluid specimen by staining cell features in the biological fluid specimen, capturing a digital image having a plurality of color channels of the biological fluid specimen, and applying image analysis to the digital image. A computer program product for identifying candidate target cells within a biological fluid specimen is also described. The computer program comprises instructions to cause a processor to carry out the image analysis.

Devices and methods for labeling and mounting suspended cells in a controllable area are disclosed. The devices and methods utilize polycarbonate filters. The filters are employed both to capture the cells and as a substrate for labeling. This disclosure provides a device for cell capture and staining. This device utilizes a stack comprising a filter sandwiched between two o-rings (an OFO stack) in which the o-rings both seat the device and, based on their outer diameter and cross-section, determine the cell capture area. In one embodiment, an alignment plate is affixed to an output head of the device, the alignment plate having one or more through holes, a diameter of the one or more through holes matching an outer diameter of the OFO stack.

The present disclosure provides an immunological composition for diagnosing lung cancer comprising: an antibody composition A containing an anti-CYFRA21-1 primary antibody-gene and an anti-CYFRA21-1 secondary antibody-detection marker; and an antibody composition B containing an anti-CYFRA 21-1 primary antibody-gene and an anti-human IgG antibody-detection marker; a method for diagnosing lung cancer in a human biological specimen using the same, and a diagnostic kit for lung cancer using the same.

The composition for diagnosing lung cancer and the diagnostic method for lung cancer according to the present disclosure can diagnose the onset of lung cancer stages 0 to IV in a non-invasive biological specimen with a specificity of 90% or more and a sensitivity of 75% or more. In particular, since an autoantibody whose concentration increases rapidly in the early stage of lung cancer is used, it is possible to diagnose the onset of lung cancer stages 0 to 1 with a sensitivity of 76% or more.

Provided are a pretreatment method for detecting the number of cells containing Ki-67 protein-positive nuclei using Ki-67 antibody; a method for the detection; a kit to be used in the detection method; and determination of a therapy regimen using the aforesaid method. Attempts were made to activate Ki-67 antigen with the use of an enzyme having been considered as inappropriate for the activation thereof. By pretreating a sample with an enzyme not recognizing the epitope of MIB-1 (a rare cutter enzyme), the antigen activation of Ki-67 antigen was enhanced, while enhancing the antigenicity of other antigens including a cytokeratin too. As a result, a method for more objectively and more universally quantifying Ki-67-positive cells at higher reproducibility, said method comprising isolating cell nuclei from an FFPE section while enhancing the antigenicity and performing a reaction between Ki-67 protein, i.e., the target, existing in the cell nuclei with a fluorescently labeled antibody, has been completed.

The present invention relates to the leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 8A (LRRC8A), and/or an activator of LRRC8A, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a skin condition associated with an altered differentiation of keratinocytes. Preferably, the skin condition associated with an altered differentiation of keratinocytes is psoriasis or dermatitis, preferably atopic dermatitis. The present invention further relates to a method of identifying a compound capable of altering the differentiation of keratinocytes, the method comprising the steps of (a) contacting keratinocytes with a test compound and determining the amount of LRRC8A protein or LRRC8A transcript in said keratinocytes; and (b) comparing the amount of LRRC8A protein or LRRC8A transcript determined in step (a) with the amount of LRRC8A protein or LRRC8A transcript in a control not contacted with said test compound, wherein a change in the amount of LRRC8A protein or LRRC8A transcript after contacting the keratinocytes with the test compound indicates that the test compound is capable of altering the differentiation of keratinocytes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound capable of altering the differentiation of keratinocytes, the method comprising the steps of (a) contacting keratinocytes with a test compound and determining the activity of (a) VRAC(s) comprising LRRC8A in said keratinocytes; and (b) comparing the activity determined in step (a) with the activity in a control not contacted with said test compound, wherein a change in the activity of (a) VRAC(s) comprising LRRC8A after contacting the keratinocytes with the test compound indicates that the test compound is capable of altering the differentiation of keratinocytes. The present invention further relates to an inhibitor of the leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 8A (LRRC8A) for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a skin condition selected from skin injury and impaired wound healing, as well as to a cosmetic method for alleviating the effects of a skin condition on the appearance of the skin of an affected individual, the method comprising topically administering an effective amount of (i) leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 8A (LRRC8A); (ii) an activator of LRRC8A; (iii) LRRC8A and an activator of LRRC8A; or (iv) an inhibitor of LRRC8A.

A method of selecting skin treatment regimens, ingredients and compositions that includes measuring the levels of particular small molecule metabolites on skin both before and after product application and testing for a change in small molecule metabolite levels is disclosed.

The present invention encompasses filamin A (FLNA) binding proteins. Specifically, the invention relates to antibodies to FLNA. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention in methods of diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of prostate cancer are also provided.