DIAGNOSIS AND DETECTION OF DISEASE CONDITIONS MODULATED BY ACTIVATION OF THE SPHINGOLIPID PATHWAY

摘要

The present invention provides a method of detecting whether a subject has a disease condition modulated by activation of the sphingolipid pathway. This method comprises selecting a subject, detecting ceramidase level in a bodily fluid sample from the subject, and comparing the detected ceramidase level in the bodily fluid sample to a ceramidase level standard for a subject not having a disease condition modulated by activation of the sphingolipid pathway. The present invention also provides for a method of monitoring effectiveness of a therapy in a subject having a disease condition modulated by activation of the sphingolipid pathway, a method of monitoring progression of a disease condition modulated by activation of the sphingolipid pathway in a subject, and a kit with a reagent to detect ceramidase level in a bodily fluid sample and instructions for measuring ceramidase level in the sample using the reagent.