Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells of a patient, the cells labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, for use in an imaging method for diagnosing a metastasizing cancer, wherein the local accumulation of the labeled precursor cells or bone marrow cells indicates the presence of a metastasizing tumor growth. At least one embodiment also relates to a method for imaging a metastasizing tumor tissue in a patient, wherein a) bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells are extracted from a patient, b) these precursor cells or bone marrow cells are labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, c) the precursor cells or bone marrow cells thus labeled are retransplanted or reinjected into the patient, and d) the presence of metastasizing tumor cells is depicted with an imaging method.

Abstract: A contrast agent is disclosed for imaging methods. In at least one embodiment the contrast agent includes a construct including i) at least two copies of a substrate for at least one tumor-specific protease, and ii) at least one linker having at least one recognition site for at least one tumor-specific protease, wherein a hyperpolarization site is located at the N and/or C terminus of the substrate, and wherein the linker is configured such that the hydrophobic ends of the substrate interact and form a central core by means of noncovalent interactions with the lipophilic residues, and the contrast agent together with a parahydrogen metal template for use in an imaging method for diagnosing a tumor.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells of a patient, the cells labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, for use in an imaging method for diagnosing a metastasizing cancer, wherein the local accumulation of the labeled precursor cells or bone marrow cells indicates the presence of a metastasizing tumor growth. At least one embodiment also relates to a method for imaging a metastasizing tumor tissue in a patient, wherein a) bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells are extracted from a patient, b) these precursor cells or bone marrow cells are labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, c) the precursor cells or bone marrow cells thus labeled are retransplanted or reinjected into the patient, and d) the presence of metastasizing tumor cells is depicted with an imaging method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. The method is for example practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample both the concentration of anti-CCP and of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) correlating the concentrations determined to the diagnosis 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 ANA 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 ANA in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an antibody against a hepatitis G virus antigen as well as a fragment of this antibody. The invention additionally concerns hybridoma cell lines as well as a conjugate that contains this antibody or the antibody fragment coupled to a biological molecule. Finally the present invention concerns the use of the antibody for the diagnostic detection of hepatitis G virus.