Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Abbott Japan Co. Ltd.

Ryotaro Chiba

Toru Yoshimura

Eisaku Yoshida

Methods and kits for reducing non-specific binding in an immunoassay for PIVKA-II in a test sample are described, in which the test sample is reacted with an anti-prothrombin antibody in the presence of one or more of the following additives: skim milk, saponin, CaCl, MgCl, and a sulfobetaine zwitterionic detergent.

Immunoassay methods and reagents for decreasing nonspecific binding

Methods for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are disclosed, using measurement of the CCL8 protein level in a test sample from a subject. Testing for CCL8 as an indicator of RA can be combined with testing for other indicators of RA, including clinical assessments, imaging or other RA markers such as Rheumatoid factor (RF). CCL8 testing can be used for discriminating RA from other diseases or conditions, evaluating the severity of RA. Related diagnostic reagents, kits, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for identifying a candidate substance as a therapeutic agent for treating rheumatoid arthritis are also described.

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Chiba, Japan

Ryotaro Chiba