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 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is cancer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is an arthritic condition, an obstructive condition, or a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of cancers of the nervous system, breast, retina, lung, skin, kidney, liver, pancreas, genito-urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer appears in cells of mesodermal origin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer appears in cells of endodermal origin. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cancer affects cells of bone or of hematopoietic origin. 
     
     
         11 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . 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 lipocalin in the biological sample; and   correlating the presence or absence of the lipocalin with the presence or absence of a tissue remodelling-associated condition, thereby facilitating the diagnosis of the subject for a tissue remodelling-associated condition.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is cancer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is an arthritic condition, an obstructive condition, or a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         30 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of cancers of the nervous system, breast, retina, lung, skin, kidney, liver, pancreas, to genito-urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the cancer appears in cells of mesodermal origin. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the cancer appears in cells of endodermal origin. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the cancer affects cells of bone or of hematopoietic origin. 
     
     
         37 - 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 remodelling associated condition.   
     
     
         50 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is cancer. 
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the tissue remodelling-associated condition is an arthritic condition, an obstructive condition, or a degenerative condition. 
     
     
         52 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The kit of  claim 49 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of cancers of the nervous system, breast, retina, lung, skin, kidney, liver, pancreas, genito-urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         56 - 80 . (canceled)