Abstract: A problem to be solved is to further improve the specificity for free AIM of an antibody specifically reacting with free AIM and to diagnose NASH without imposing a burden on patients and medical staffs. The problem can be solved by an immunoassay method for free AIM in a biological sample containing complex AIM and free AIM, and the method comprises bringing the biological sample into contact with an antibody specifically reacting with free AIM in a presence of an anti-IgM antibody.

Abstract: A problem to be solved is to improve the specificity of an anti-AIM antibody for free AIM in a biological sample containing complex AIM and free AIM. The problem can be solved by an immunoassay method for measuring an amount of free AIM in a biological sample containing complex AIM and free AIM, and the method comprises bringing the biological sample into contact with an anti-AIM antibody in the presence of an anti-IgM antibody.

Abstract: A method for examining liver cancer or a method for assisting diagnosis of liver cancer that is superior in sensitivity and specificity, as well as a kit that can be used therefor is provided. The present invention provides a method for detecting liver cancer or a method for assisting diagnosis of liver cancer comprising a step of detecting or quantifying free AIM in a biological sample derived from a test subject, as well as a kit for examining or assisting diagnosis of liver cancer comprising an antibody that binds to free AIM.

Abstract: A method for examining liver cancer or a method for assisting diagnosis of liver cancer that is superior in sensitivity and specificity, as well as a kit that can be used therefor is provided. The present invention provides a method for detecting liver cancer or a method for assisting diagnosis of liver cancer comprising a step of detecting or quantifying free AIM in a biological sample derived from a test subject, as well as a kit for examining or assisting diagnosis of liver cancer comprising an antibody that binds to free AIM.

Abstract: Provided is a noninvasive method for determining the presence of a symptom of a hepatic disease such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with a higher diagnostic accuracy. A method for discriminate between nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the method comprising: (1) a step of measuring the quantities of marker molecules contained in blood collected from a subject; (2) a step of determining an index value from a normalized score calculated based on the quantities of the marker molecules belonging to the same group; and (3) a step of determining that the subject is possibly affected with NASH in the case that the index value is larger than a reference value.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a marker for the diagnosis of a liver disease, which can determine the disease in a simple manner; an antibody directed against the marker; a diagnostic agent; a diagnosis method; and a method for marker detection in blood or serum. Proteome analysis revealed that quantities of the full-length kininogen and three partial peptides thereof (sequence A: position-440 to position-456, sequence B: position-439 to position-456, and sequence C: position-438 to position-456) in sera of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are significantly different from those in sera of healthy individuals; and a diagnostic agent and a detecting method for the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can be conveniently used for medical examination are established.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a marker for the diagnosis of a liver disease, which can determine the disease in a simple manner; an antibody directed against the marker; a diagnostic agent; a diagnosis method; and a method for marker detection in blood or serum. Proteome analysis revealed that quantities of the full-length kininogen and three partial peptides thereof (sequence A: position-440 to position-456, sequence B: position-439 to position-456, and sequence C: position-438 to position-456) in sera of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are significantly different from those in sera of healthy individuals; and a diagnostic agent and a detecting method for the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can be conveniently used for medical examination are established.