Soluble st2 as a marker for disease

Abstract

The present invention relates to materials and methods concerning the IL-1 receptor family protein ST2. Use of soluble ST2 as a marker for cardiovascular disease or disease outcome is provided, in particular as a marker of the risk of mortality.

1 . A method of predicting the risk of mortality of a HIV-infected subject comprising
 (i) determining the level of sST2 in a biological sample from said subject; and   (ii) comparing said level of ST2 with a control level   wherein a level of sST2 in the subject sample which is higher than that of the control is indicative of an increased risk of mortality.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the risk of mortality is risk of death following a cardiovascular event. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has pre-existing cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has no pre-existing cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has not yet commenced anti-HIV therapy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the control level is derived from HIV-infected subjects with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the control level is derived from HIV-infected subjects with no pre-existing cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the risk of mortality is risk of death within one year. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is whole blood, plasma or serum. 
     
     
         10 . A method of prognosis of cardiovascular disease in an HIV-infected subject, said method comprising:
 (i) determining the level of sST2 in a biological sample from said subject; and   (ii) comparing said level of sST2 with a control level;   wherein a level of sST2 in the subject sample which is higher than that of the control is indicative of a poor prognosis.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of selecting a suitable treatment based on the expression of sST2 in the subject sample compared to the control. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an aggressive treatment is selected where an elevated level of sST2 is detected in the subject sample compared to the control. 
     
     
         13 . A method of monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a cardiovascular disease, said method comprising monitoring sST2 expression during the course of the treatment, wherein a reduction in sST2 level over the course of the treatment is indicative of the efficacy of the treatment.