| CPC C12Q 1/37 (2013.01) [C12Q 1/6837 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6876 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6883 (2013.01); G01N 33/582 (2013.01); G01N 33/60 (2013.01); G01N 33/68 (2013.01); A61K 45/06 (2013.01); C12Q 2600/158 (2013.01); G01N 2333/8146 (2013.01); G01N 2800/065 (2013.01)] | 9 Claims |
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1. A method of diagnosing and treating at least one of ulcerative colitis, severe ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease in a patient suffering from or at risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), said method comprising:
obtaining a sample from the patient;
measuring at least one of the expression of MMP-7 and the concentration of MMP-7 in the sample;
comparing the expression of MMP-7 or the concentration of MMP-7 in the sample to a benchmark value that is typical of a subject afflicted with Crohn's disease and not suffering from ulcerative colitis or severe ulcerative colitis; and
either
diagnosing Crohn's disease if the expression of MMP-7 or the concentration of MMP-7 in the sample does not significantly exceed the benchmark value and performing a non-surgical intervention on the patient to treat the Crohn's disease, wherein the non-surgical intervention comprises administration of a drug; or
diagnosing ulcerative colitis or severe ulcerative colitis if the expression of MMP-7 or the concentration of MMP-7 in the sample significantly exceeds the benchmark value and performing a surgical intervention on the patient to treat the ulcerative colitis or severe ulcerative colitis.
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