Quest Diagnostics, a provider of diagnostic information services, introduced new blood tests, designed for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The company claimed that RA is an autoimmune disorder and can cause debilitating joint damage.
The tests use a proprietary 14-3-3eta protein biomarker licensed from Augurex Life Sciences in October 2012.
One test offers results of 14-3-3eta blood levels, while the other comprehensive panel provides results of blood levels of the novel marker, as well as the conventional RA markers cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF).
Studies have shown that the 14-3-3eta test diagnosed 60-82% of patients with RA compared to RF alone (32-82%) or CCP antibody alone (44-82%).
Diagnosis and initiation of treatment of RA within 12 weeks of symptom onset is expected to help prevent joint damage, improve long-term function and increase the likelihood of achieving disease remission, according to the company.
Quest Diagnostics said its advanced clinical laboratory, in San Juan Capistrano, Califonia, US, will offer laboratory-developed tests.
