Methods and materials for evaluating rheumatoid arthritis
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsJorg J. Goronzy, Cornelia M. Weyand
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Abstract
The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.
Claims34
A method for evaluating a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient, said method comprising:
- a) determining the level of one or more cytokines within a sample from said patient, wherein said one or more cytokines is selected from the group consisting of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta,
- b) comparing said level of said one or more cytokines to one or more reference levels to obtain information about said rheumatoid arthritis condition, and
- c) classifying said rheumatoid arthritis condition as a diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous condition based on said information.
A kit for providing information about a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient, said kit comprising:
- a) one or more binding pair members, wherein each of said one or more binding pair members has specific binding affinity for a cytokine such that the level of said cytokine within a sample from said patient is determinable, wherein said cytokine is selected from the group consisting of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta;
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- b) a reference chart, wherein said reference chart contains information about one or more cytokines selected from the group consisting of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta such that an indication of the diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous nature of said rheumatoid arthritis condition is determinable based on one or more cytokine levels within said sample.
A method for evaluating a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient, said method comprising:
- a) determining the level of one or more cytokines within a sample from said patient, wherein each of said one or more cytokines is selected from the group consisting of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta,
- b) comparing said level to one or more reference levels to obtain information about said rheumatoid arthritis condition, and
- c) classifying said rheumatoid arthritis condition as not being a diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous condition based on said information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.