Abstract: The Inventors have developed an ELISA of a new molecular marker detecting a neoepitope generated from the cleavage of the ?1 chain of type III collagen within its helical domain. Serum levels of this marker were significantly increased in patients with RA and is significantly associated to CRP and ESR levels. Indeed, they demonstrated that the median serum HELIX-III levels were significantly higher in patients with moderate (p=0027) and active RA (p=00004) compared with those in age-matched controls. The present invention relates to an antibody recognizing an epitope having SEQ ID NO:1 of collagen protein and its uses for diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring purposes.

Abstract: Detection sequences of periostin having from 6 to 30 amino acids and which include all or part of peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2 or SEQ ID No. 3, or a homologous peptide sequence. Antibodies suitable for specifically recognizing minimally one of these detection sequences, including an anti-periostin antibody, are disclosed. Periostin detection and dosage processes and kits that use these antibodies are also disclosed. A periostin marker for early diagnosis, tracking and prognosis of pathologies that involve periostin, including benign osteolysis such as inflammatory diseases, including osteoarticular diseases, and malignant osteolysis, such as cancers with bone metastases, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ex vivo method for determining the susceptibility of a patient suffering from cancer to respond to a therapeutic treatment based on the administration of an antibody specific for the HER2 protein, this method comprising the quantification of HER2-HER2 dimers in a tissue sample from said patient using the FRET technique. The invention also relates to a kit of reagents for implementing this method.

Abstract: Detection sequences of periostin having from 6 to 30 amino acids and which include all or part of peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2 or SEQ ID No. 3, or a homologous peptide sequence. Antibodies suitable for specifically recognizing minimally one of these detection sequences, including an anti-periostin antibody, are disclosed. Periostin detection and dosage processes and kits that use these antibodies are also disclosed. A periostin marker for early diagnosis, tracking and prognosis of pathologies that involve periostin, including benign osteolysis such as inflammatory diseases, including osteoarticular diseases, and malignant osteolysis, such as cancers with bone metastases, is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the progression of cartilage degeneration diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples. One can determine whether a cartilage degeneration condition is progressing, regressing, or remaining stable by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples and comparing the value obtained to a reference value. When a joint affected by cartilage degeneration in question expresses collagen synthesis and degradation markers, a change in this value is indicative of a change in the progression of the cartilage degeneration condition. The methods and apparatus of the invention allow accurate determination of the therapeutic effects certain cartilage degeneration drug treatments, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis drug treatments, so are also useful for pharmaceutical efficacy studies in mammals.

Abstract: Novel peptide marker, specific to the oxidative degradation of tissues containing type III collagen, preferably to nitrosylation of the type III collagen. This marker is defined of at least one peptide sequence of 5 to 25 amino acids (AAs) including a sub-sequence QYDSYD in which at least one of the Ys is nitrosylated and Q corresponds not only to glutamine but also to pyroglutamic acid. This marker is simple, sensitive and reliable and expedites the clinical information for obtaining oxidative degradation of tissues containing type III collagen (O.D.T.Coll III) pathologies. This marker allows better monitoring, prognosis and treatment of the O.D.T.Coll III pathologies. This invention concerns also elements of detection of the marker, methods and kits which allow, on one hand, the early, reliable, efficient and economical diagnosis of the pathologies targeted and, on the other hand, improved monitoring and prognosis of the O.D.T.Coll III pathologies.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the progression of cartilage degeneration diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples. One can determine whether a cartilage degeneration condition is progressing, regressing, or remaining stable by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples and comparing the value obtained to a reference value. When a joint affected by cartilage degeneration in question expresses collagen synthesis and degradation markers, a change in this value is indicative of a change in the progression of the cartilage degeneration condition. The methods and apparatus of the invention allow accurate determination of the therapeutic effects certain cartilage degeneration drug treatments, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis drug treatments, so are also useful for pharmaceutical efficacy studies in mammals.

Abstract: Disclosed are specific markers for synovial tissue degradation and methods of using the markers in diagnosing, monitoring or determining a prognosis of synovial disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the progression of cartilage degeneration diseases, such as osteoarthrits and rheumatoid arthritis, by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples. One can determine whether a cartilage degeneration condition is progressing, regressing, or remaining stable by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples and comparing the value obtained to a reference value. When a joint affected by cartilage degeneration in question expresses collagen synthesis and degradation markers, a change in this value is indicative of a change in the progression of the cartilage degeneration condition. The methods and apparatus of the invention allow accurate determination of the therapeutic effects certain cartilage degeneration drug treatments, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis drug treatments, so are also useful for pharmaceutical efficacy studies in mammals.

Abstract: Disclosed are specific markers for synovial tissue degradation and methods of using the markers in diagnosing, monitoring or determiing a prognosis of synovial disease.