Haptens useful in evaluating inhibition of PMN elastase by N-substituted azetidinones

摘要

N-substituted azetidinones are a class of inhibitors of human leukocytes elastase which are known to be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of antiinflammatory and antidegenerative diseases. In inhibiting elastase, the therapeutic agents are shown to form a characteristic stable complex with the enzyme. In the radioimmune assay disclosed herein, the inhibitor-enzyme complex is advantageously hydrolyzed and specific product(s) of the hydrolysis are measured. The assays are useful in a clinical setting, for determining appropriate dosage and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.