Patent ID: 6150120
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of distinguishing polycythemia vera and idiopathic myelofibrosis from other diseases causing erythrocytosis, comprising the steps of:contacting platelets or megakaryocytes of a patient with thrombopoietin;determining whether the step of contacting with thrombopoietin causes proteins of the platelets or megakaryocytes to become phosphorylated on tyrosine residues; wherein a patient is identified as having polycythemia vera or idiopathic myelofibrosis when the step of contacting with thrombopoietin does not cause phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of platelet proteins, or wherein a patient is identified as not having polycythemia vera or idiopathic myelofibrosis when the step of contacting with thrombopoietin does cause phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of platelet proteins.