Fuji Chemical Releases Diagnostic Kit for Detecting Early Stage RA

Fuji Chemical Industries Ltd. (Takaoka, Japan) has developed a new diagnostic kit to measure matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), an enzyme that can be clinically used as a marker for detecting early stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The diagnostic kit, called Panaclear MMP-3, employs an enzyme immunoassay that uses a pair of monoclonal antibodies. MMP-3 is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of enzymes, which play significant roles in matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, cell migration, and other physiological activities. Under certain pathological conditions, MMPs are overproduced; such overproduction can lead to the development of inflammatory diseases, such as RA. The presence of MMP-3 in the serum is caused by its release from proliferative synovial cells. As a result, the increased level of serum MMP-3 can predict RA at an early stage.

Full-scale production of the MMP-3 kit will begin this month, with initial deliveries going to the Japanese market.

For more information: Fuji Chemical Industries Ltd., 530 Chokeiji, Takaoka, Toyama 933-8511, Japan. Tel: +81-766-21-3456. Fax: +81-766-21-3792.

Edited by Jim Pomager