Non-invasive enzyme screen for tissue remodelling-associated conditions

Abstract

Methods and kits for diagnosing the presence of and prognosing the appearance of tissue remodelling-associated conditions, involving the presence of enzyme complexes in a biological sample, are disclosed. In particular, the method pertains to diagnosing the presence of or prognosing appearance of metastatic cancer by the identification of high molecular weight enzyme complexes comprising MMPs.

1 . A non-invasive method for facilitating the diagnosis of a subject for a tissue remodelling-associated condition, comprising:
 obtaining a biological sample from a subject;   detecting a high molecular weight enzyme complex in the biological sample; and   correlating the presence or absence of the high molecular weight enzyme complex with the presence or absence of a tissue remodelling-associated condition, thereby facilitating the diagnosis of the subject for a tissue remodelling-associated condition.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is cancer, an arthritic condition, an obstructive condition, or a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         4 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight enzyme complex comprises a protease. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight enzyme complex comprises a lipocalin. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the enzyme complex comprises a TIMP. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the TIMP is TIMP-1. 
     
     
         19 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the enzyme complex is approximately 150 kDa. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the enzyme complex is approximately 115 to approximately 125 kDa. 
     
     
         27 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is urine. 
     
     
         41 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A kit for facilitating the diagnosis and prognosis of a tissue remodelling-associated condition, comprising:
 a container having a reagent for detecting a high molecular weight enzyme complex in a biological sample; and   instructions for using said reagent for detecting the high molecular weight enzyme complex for facilitating the diagnosis and prognosis of a tissue remodeling-associated condition.   
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is cancer, an arthritic condition, an obstructive condition, or a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         52 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the high molecular weight enzyme complex comprises a protease. 
     
     
         60 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the high molecular weight enzyme complex comprises a lipocalin. 
     
     
         64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . The kit of  claim 63 , wherein the enzyme complex comprises a TIMP. 
     
     
         66 . The kit of  claim 65 , wherein the TIMP is TIMP-1. 
     
     
         67 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the molecular weight of the enzyme complex is approximately 150 kDa. 
     
     
         74 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the molecular weight of the enzyme complex is approximately 115 to approximately 125 kDa. 
     
     
         75 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the biological sample is urine. 
     
     
         76 . The kit of  claim 75 , further comprising an apparatus for separating urine into components for removal of low molecular weight contaminants. 
     
     
         77 - 80 . (canceled)