Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of repairing an annulus. This method involves providing a collagen gel composition that includes collagen gel and a cross-linking agent. The collagen gel composition is injected into, around, or near an annulus repair site under conditions to repair the annulus. The cross-linking agent is included with or added to the collagen gel in an amount sufficient to cause cross-linking of the collagen gel and enable integration of the collagen gel composition with tissue near where said collagen gel composition is injected. Also disclosed is collagen gel composition.

Abstract: Methods and system for determination of an anti-<therapeutic monoclonal antibody> antibody (anti-<TmAB>AB) in vitro in a sample from a patient treated with a therapeutic monoclonal antibody (TmAB). Also, methods and systems for the determination of antigen specific antibodies of a particular immunoglobulin class and for the identification of a patient who is at risk of developing an adverse drug reaction (ADR) during treatment with a TmAB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject suffering from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as being susceptible to interferon treatment, said method comprising the steps of a) determining, in a sample of said subject, the amount of HBV immune complexes, b) comparing the amount of HBV immune complexes obtained in step a) to a reference value, and c) identifying a subject suffering from HBV infection as being susceptible to interferon treatment based on the result of the comparison made in step b). The present invention further relates to the use of the determination of the amount of HBV immune complexes in a sample from a subject suffering from HBV infection and of a detection agent for HBV immune complexes for identifying a subject suffering from HBV infection as being susceptible to interferon treatment. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device and a kit allowing identifying a subject suffering from HBV infection as being susceptible to interferon treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing a severity of rheumatoid arthritis. The method involves measuring in a patient sample a concentration of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and serum amyloid A, combining the concentrations determined to obtain a combined value, and comparing the combined value to a cut-off value established from a reference population. In another method, a marker selected from the group consisting of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), S100 protein, osteopontin, rheumatoid factor (RF), matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP-3), hyaluronic acid, and soluble CD14 (sCD14) may also be determined along with the anti-CCP and serum amyloid A.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method aiding in the further assessment of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in assessing whether an RA patient is at risk of disease progression. The method is for example practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample the concentration of at least C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 and correlating the concentrations determined to the likelihood of an underlying rapidly progressing form of RA. A patient at high risk of a rapidly progressing disease might be a patient in need for treatment or if already treated in need for a different and more effective treatment. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in the assessment of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a protein array device and kit, respectively, for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in assessing the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. It can be best practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample the concentration of anti-CCP and serum amyloid A and correlating the concentrations determined to the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis. To further improve the assessment of RA in a method of this invention the level of one or more additional marker may be determined together with anti-CCP and serum amyloid A and be correlated to the absence or presence of RA. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising anti-CCP and serum amyloid A in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for excluding a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject including determining as to whether at least one autoantibody or antigen which is indicative for at least one rheumatic disorder is present in a sample obtained from the subject, wherein the presence of the autoantibody or antigen allows to exclude a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject. Accordingly, it provides for a method that triggers the next steps in diagnosing the cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject—either further diagnosis of a rheumatic disorder or of a non-rheumatic disorder to confirm the initial diagnosis. Also provided is a kit for excluding a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject as well as uses of the kit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in assessing the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. It can be best practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample the concentration of anti-CCP and serum amyloid A and correlating the concentrations determined to the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis. To further improve the assessment of RA in a method of this invention the level of one or more additional marker may be determined together with anti-CCP and serum amyloid A and be correlated to the absence or presence of RA. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising anti-CCP and serum amyloid A in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in assessing the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. The method is for example practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample the concentration of anti-CCP and interleukin 6 and correlating the concentrations determined to the absence or presence of rheumatoid arthritis. To further improve the assessment of RA in a method of this invention the level of one or more additional marker may be determined together with anti-CCP and interleukin 6 and be correlated to the absence or presence of RA. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising anti-CCP and interleukin 6 in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the assessment of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of the CYFRA 21-1 assay in the assessment of colorectal cancer. It also relates to a method for assessing colorectal cancer in vitro using a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring CYFRA 21-1 in said sample. Measurement of CYFRA 21-1 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or in the follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method aiding in the further assessment of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in assessing whether an RA patient is at risk of disease progression. The method is for example practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample the concentration of at least C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 and correlating the concentrations determined to the likelihood of an underlying rapidly progressing form of RA. A patient at high risk of a rapidly progressing disease might be a patient in need for treatment or if already treated in need for a different and more effective treatment. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in the assessment of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a protein array device and kit, respectively, for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of colorectal cancer (=CRC). It discloses the use of a marker combination comprising osteopontin and carcinoembryonic antigen in the assessment of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, it especially relates to a method for assessing colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring at least the markers osteopontin and carcinoembryonic antigen in said sample. The marker combination comprising osteopontin and carcinoembryonic antigen can, e.g., be used in the early detection of colorectal cancer or in the surveillance of patients who undergo therapy, e.g., surgery.