Compositions and methods relating to antibodies that specifically bind to TGF-beta binding proteins are provided. These methods and compositions relate to altering bone mineral density by interfering with the interaction between a TGF-beta binding protein sclerostin and a TGF-beta superfamily member, particularly a bone morphogenic protein. Increasing bone mineral density has uses in diseases and conditions in which low bone mineral density typifies the condition, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.

An object of the invention is to provide a method for detecting pancreatic cancer and a reagent that can be used for the method. The method is a method for detecting pancreatic cancer, characterized by comprising measuring the amount of TFPI2 in a body fluid collected from a subject. In addition, an antibody that specifically recognizes the TFPI2 processing polypeptide and intact TFPI2 is included in the reagent for detecting pancreatic cancer.

The invention relates to new nucleophosmin protein (NPM) mutants, corresponding gene sequences and relative uses thereof for diagnosis, monitoring of minimal residual disease, prognostic evaluation and therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Provided are compositions related to HSD17B13 variants, including isolated nucleic acids and proteins related to variants of HSD17B13, and cells comprising those nucleic acids and proteins. Also provided are methods related to HSD17B13 variants. Such methods include methods for modifying a cell through use of any combination of nuclease agents, exogenous donor sequences, transcriptional activators, transcriptional repressors, and expression vectors for expressing a recombinant HSD17B13 gene or a nucleic acid encoding an HSD17B13 protein. Also provided are therapeutic and prophylactic methods for treating a subject having or at risk of developing chronic liver disease.

The disclosure relates to compositions comprising PU.1 inhibitors as well as methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, methods of screening compounds for PU.1 inhibition are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods of screening a plurality of compounds for PU.1 inhibition are disclosed. In some embodiments, lambda-beta binding (LBB) motifs are used to screen compounds for PU.1 inhibition. In some embodiments, methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders are disclosed. In some embodiments pharmaceutical compounds are provided. In some embodiments, methods of treating Alzheimer's disease, inflammation, or excessive myelin uptake with PU.1 inhibitors are disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting malignant ovarian tumor as distinguished from benign ovarian tumor, and a reagent that can be used for the method. Provided are a method for detecting malignant ovarian tumor (excluding high-grade serous carcinoma) as distinguished from benign ovarian tumor, characterized by measuring the amount of TFPI2 in a sample from a patient, and a reagent for detecting malignant ovarian tumor (excluding high-grade serous carcinoma) as distinguished from benign ovarian tumor contains an antibody that specifically recognizes TFPI2 processing polypeptide and intact TFPI2.

The present invention concerns a method for predicting the potential for aggressive growth and/or the risk to progress to high grade cancer for tumors in cell based detection procedures. In one aspect the invention concerns the detection of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products as a tool for predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth of tumors. In a second aspect the invention concerns predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth in tumors on the basis of the simultaneous co-detection of the presence of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products together with the expression of markers for active cell proliferation. Further the invention concerns preparations of probes for diagnosis namely for predicting the progression risk and/or the potential for aggressive growth of tumors.

Provided are methods for screening a subject for cancer. The methods involve obtaining a blood sample from the subject and determining a level of Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1) isoforms comprising exon 12a in the sample. Optionally, the method involves determining a level of 12a+/13− BIN isoform (comprising exon 12a but lacking exon 13) in the sample. An elevated level of 12a+ (e.g., 12a+/13−) BIN1 isoforms in the blood sample indicates the subject has cancer. Also provided are methods for determining efficacy of a cancer therapy in a subject and methods of treating cancer. Isolated antibodies that selectively bind human 12a+ BIN1 are also provided as well as kits for determining 12a+/13− BIN1 isoforms.

The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Devices based on semi-quantitative “sandwich” lateral flow immunoassay and methods of using the devices are provided to determine the presence and estimate the quantity of Flt-1 protein found in the plasma, serum, whole blood, saliva, urine or another bodily fluid of pregnant women in order to predict or screen for the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Assays based on the devices are also provided.