Patent ID: 8501418

Claim:
A method for treating renal dysfunction in a subject, wherein the method comprises: a) identifying the subject as in need of treatment for renal dysfunction by a method comprising: (i) contacting an antibody or aptamer capable of specifically detecting the LG3 domain of Perlecan with a blood sample from the subject; (ii) measuring the quantity of the LG3 domain of Perlecan in the blood sample by determination of the binding of the antibody or aptamer to the LG3 domain of Perlecan; (iii) comparing the quantity of the LG3 domain of Perlecan measured in (i) with a reference value of the quantity of the LG3 domain of Perlecan, said reference value representing a known diagnosis, prediction and/or prognosis of renal dysfunction or normal renal function, and finding a deviation of the quantity of the LG3 domain of Perlecan measured in (i) from said reference value so as to identify the subject as in need of the treatment; and b) treating the subject having the deviation, with a treatment or therapy selected from the group consisting of low-potassium and/or low phosphorus diet, phosphorus-lowering medications, iron supplements, blood pressure medications, vitamin supplements, haemodialysis, ultrafiltration, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation, wherein an elevated quantity of LG3 domain of Perlecan in the sample from the subject compared to the reference value identifies the subject as in need of treatment for renal dysfunction.