Abstract: An epitope peptide is provided, which is capable of binding specifically to an antibody characteristic of Crohn's disease that is specifically observed in patients with Crohn's disease, together with a test method for conveniently and rapidly determining whether a subject is affected by Crohn's disease by use of the above peptide. The epitope peptide to the Crohn's disease antibody comprises a peptide having an amino acid sequences represented by any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3 or a salt thereof. A test reagent and a test method for Crohn's disease are provided, which comprise the peptide as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an HCV-related disease in a patient having HLA-A24 or -A3 supertype, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by the formula: YLLPRRGPRL (SEQ ID NO:1) as an active ingredient. Also disclosed is a composition for use in the detection of the induction of an HLA-A24 or -A3 supertype-restricted cytotoxic T cell in a patient having HLA-A24 or -A3 supertype, wherein the composition comprises a peptide having an amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ED NO:1 as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An epitope peptide is provided, which is capable of binding specifically to an antibody characteristic of Crohn's disease that is specifically observed in patients with Crohn's disease, together with a test method for conveniently and rapidly determining whether a subject is affected by Crohn's disease by use of the above peptide. The epitope peptide to the Crohn's disease antibody comprises a peptide having an amino acid sequences represented by any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3 or a salt thereof. A test reagent and a test method for Crohn's disease are provided, which comprise the peptide as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions for preventing, improving or treating hepatic fibrosis, hepatocellular degeneration or cirrhosis, which contain a meglitinide compound such as nateglinide.

Abstract: It is intended to provide: a peptide which shows an increase in the expression amount in the serum of a cancer patient with the passage of time before the onset of bone metastasis and after the onset of bone metastasis, is adsorbed by a weak cation exchanger at pH 6, and has an apparent molecular weight determined by mass spectrometry of about 5,800; a peptide fragment comprising the amino acid sequence corresponding to from 10- to 62-positions of the amino acid sequence of matured azurocidin; and a method of diagnosing bone metastasis in a cancer patient characterized by comprising detecting the expression of one of the above peptides in a biological sample originating in the cancer patient. According to this method, bone metastasis can be found and treated at the early stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peptide derived from hepatitis C virus comprising an HLA-binding motif in its sequence and being recognized by an antibody detected in a patient with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The peptide of the present invention is useful in diagnosing hepatitis C virus, treating hepatitis C, and predicting the prognosis of hepatitis C.

Abstract: According to the present invention, phospholipids of the peripheral blood and fatty acid compositions thereof are measured. Especially, the amounts of phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidyl choline, and fatty acid compositions in the peripheral blood are measured. Thus, the present invention can provide a method for evaluating therapeutic agents of NASH that are useful in the patients with NASH, a method of judging NASH, and the therapeutic agents thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a drug for reducing side effects, anemia in particular, in combination therapy of chronic hepatitis C with ribavirin and interferon, which contains as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.