Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the treatment effect of a chemotherapy regimen of a patient suffering from HER2 positive breast cancer, in particular locally recurrent or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer, by adding bevacizumab (Avastin®) to a chemotherapy regimen by determining the expression level, in particular the blood plasma expression level, of E-selectin, ICAM-1 or VEGFR-3 relative to control levels of patients diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer, in particular locally recurrent or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer.

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: The invention concerns a method for determining antigen-specific antibodies of a particular immunoglobulin class in a sample by means of an immunoassay in an array format in which various binding partners Bnx are bound on different discrete areas on a support where Bnx in each case contain the various antigens that are able to specifically bind to the antibodies to be detected, by incubating the support with the sample and a binding partner B2 which carries a label and subsequently detecting the label on the respective discrete areas wherein B2 specifically binds antibodies of a certain immunoglobulin class that have been bound in an antigen-specific manner.

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 concerns a method for producing microparticles loaded with proteins which is characterized in that the microparticles are loaded in suspension under strongly alkaline conditions. The invention also concerns microparticles which can be produced using this method and their use in a binding test e.g. in an immunoassay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical compound comprising a light emitting moiety precursor and a precursor of a leaving group, bound to each other by an amide or by an ester bond and characterized in that the leaving group precursor upon oxidation is converted into the leaving group. The invention also relates to compounds additionally comprising a coupling group to the use of such compounds for labeling of biomolecules and more generally to the use of such compounds in chemiluminescence detection procedures.

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 invention concerns a method for determining antigen-specific antibodies of a particular immunoglobulin class in a sample by means of an immunoassay in an array format in which various binding partners Bnx are bound on different discrete areas on a support where Bnx in each case contain the various antigens that are able to specifically bind to the antibodies to be detected, by incubating the support with the sample and a binding partner B2 which carries a label and subsequently detecting the label on the respective discrete areas wherein B2 specifically binds antibodies of a certain immunoglobulin class that have been bound in an antigen-specific manner.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing microparticles loaded with proteins which is characterized in that the microparticles are loaded in suspension under strongly alkaline conditions. The invention also concerns microparticles which can be produced using this method and their use in a binding test e.g. in an immunoassay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted hydrazides of a luciferin dye or to substituted hydrazides of a dye analogous thereto. These chemical compounds comprise the luciferin dye or the dye analogue thereto as a light emitting moiety precursor and the substituted hydrazide as a leaving group precursor, wherein a nitrogen atom of said hydrazide group is bound to a carbonyl group or to a group chemically equivalent to said carbonyl group of said luciferin or said analogue. The invention also relates to conjugates between a biomolecule and these compounds and to the use of such compounds in chemiluminescence procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical compound comprising a light emitting moiety precursor and a precursor of a leaving group, bound to each other by an amide or by an ester bond and characterized in that the leaving group precursor upon oxidation is converted into the leaving group. The invention also relates to compounds additionally comprising a coupling group to the use of such compounds for labeling of biomolecules and more generally to the use of such compounds in chemiluminescence detection procedures.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of peptides which are comprised essentially of D-amino acids to eliminate interference in diagnostic methods, a method for eliminating interference in diagnostic methods by peptides which are comprised essentially of D-amino acids as well as a reagent that eliminates interference containing at least one peptide which is comprised essentially of D-amino acids.