Identification of urokinase-type plasminogen, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and β-2-microglobulin as novel biomarkers associated with liver fibrosis and uses thereof in diagnosing and staging liver fibrosis.

A method of determining a pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetic effect of an inhibitor of IL 1α comprising providing a sample from a subject; administering the inhibitor of IL 1α to the sample; measuring levels of one or more biomarkers in the sample; and determining the pharmacodynamic or the pharmacokinetic effect of the inhibitor of IL 1α based on the levels of the one or more biomarkers.

New use of ADAMTS13 in the clinical filed is provided. The use of ADAMTS13 as a biomarker for monitoring the onset of liver damage, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury or the liver function after liver transplantation: a method of testing liver damage, a method of testing hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, or a method of testing the liver function after liver transplantation, each of the methods comprising measuring or monitoring the ADAMTS13 activity in a sample from a mammal; an agent for treating diseases selected from the group consisting of liver damage, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury and hepatic dysfunction after liver transplantation, which comprises ADAMTS13 or a mutant of ADAMTS13 as an effective ingredient.

Provided herein are methods for inkjet printing objects, including objects which may be used as elements of microfluidic devices. The microfluidic devices incorporating the elements are also provided. Such microfluidic devices include those configured to quantify the expression and activity of exosomal matrix metalloprotease, MMP14. These microfluidic devices may be used in methods of monitoring breast cancer in patients having breast cancer.

The present invention provides a method of diagnosis or prognosis endometrial carcinoma, the method comprising determining the level of expression of MMP9 in a uterine aspirate fluid sample from the female genital tract. The present invention further provides kits for the diagnosis of the disease.

The invention provides methods for determining tumour status in a subject comprising the steps of: (i) determining a quantitative value in a sample taken from a subject of a first biomarker selected from the group consisting of Ran, Ran binding protein 1, an active fragment of a Ran protein, a nucleic acid sequence encoding Ran, a nucleic acid sequence encoding Ran binding protein 1, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an active fragment of Ran and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an active fragment of Ran binding protein 1; (ii) comparing the quantitative value of the first biomarker in the sample with a selected pre-determined threshold value of the first biomarker; (iii) determining a quantitative value in a sample from the same subject of a second biomarker selected from the group consisting of MMP2, an active fragment of MMP2, a nucleic acid sequence encoding MMP2 and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an active fragment of MMP2; (iv) comparing the quantitative value of the second biomarker in the sample with a selected pre-determined threshold value of the second biomarker; wherein the quantitative values of the first marker and the second biomarkers in the sample as compared to their respective selected pre-determined threshold values indicate whether or not the tumour sample has invasive and/or metastatic potential.

The present invention relates to a method of treating cancer in a subject.

Disclosed herein are an optimal range of salivary MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) protein concentrations which allows for screening the risk of periodontitis, a method of its application for screening the risk of periodontitis using this range, the methods each comprising the steps: of measuring a concentration of MMP-9 protein in saliva taken from a subject; and establishing an optimal range of salivary MMP-9 concentrations which allows for screening the risk of periodontitis. Utilizing saliva taken in a non-invasive manner from a subject, the methods make it convenient to screen periodontitis. In addition, the methods have the effect of quickly and accurate determining the risk of periodontitis by measuring a concentration of MMP-9 protein present in a trace amount in saliva and enable periodontitis to be easily determined in clinics and at home.

Disclosed are a tissue expander for breast reconstruction comprising an MMP sensor and thus being capable of real-time capsular contracture monitoring and treatment, and a patient information system linked thereto. According to these, a patient or medical staff can easily check and evaluate capsular contracture, which may occur when wearing a tissue expander for breast reconstruction, and whether inflammation, a side effect, or the like is caused thereby, even outside the human body in real time. Accordingly, before or when capsular contracture occurs, effective treatment and response are possible.

The invention provides biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers useful in diagnosing lung diseases such as non-small cell lung cancer or reactive airway disease. The invention also provides methods of differentiating lung disease, methods of monitoring therapy, and methods of predicting a subject's response to therapeutic intervention based on the extent of expression of the biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers. Kits comprising agents for detecting the biomarkers and combination of biomarkers are also provided.