Means and methods for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure in a subject

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/EP2012/064823, filed Jul. 27, 2012, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/512,500, and European application 11175879.3, both filed Jul. 28, 2011.

The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject and a method for monitoring progression or regression of heart failure in a subject. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Heart failure is a severe problem in modern medicine. The impaired function of the heart can give rise to life-threatening conditions and results in discomfort for the patients suffering from heart failure. Heart failure can affect the right or the left heart, respectively, and can vary in strength. A classification system was originally developed by the New York Heart association (NYHA). According to the classification system, the mild cases of heart failure are categorized as class I cases. These patients only show symptoms under extreme exercise. The intermediate cases show more pronounced symptoms already under less exercise (classes II and III) while class IV, shows already symptoms at rest (New York Heart Association. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Nomenclature and criteria for diagnosis, 6th ed. Boston: Little, Brown and co, 1964; 114).

The prevalence of heart failure steadily increases in the population of the western developed countries over the last years. One reason for said increase can be seen in an increased average life expectation due to modern medicine. The mortality rate caused by heart failure, however, could be further reduced by improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The so-called “Framingham” study reported a reduction of the 5 year mortality from 70% to 59% in men and from 57% to 45% in women when comparing a time window of 1950 to 1969 with 1990 to 1999. The “Mayo” study shows a reduction from 65% to 50% for men for a time window of 1996 to 2000 compared to 1979 to 1984 and from 51% to 46% for women. Notwithstanding this reduction of the mortality rate, the overall mortality due to heart failure is still a major burden to societies. One-year mortality for NYHA class II to III patients under ACE inhibitor therapy is still between 9-12% (SOLVED) and for NYHA class IV without ACE inhibitor therapy 52% (Consensus).

Diagnostic techniques such as echocardiography are dependent on the experience of the individual investigator and, thus, not always reliable. Moreover, these techniques sometimes fail to diagnose the early onset of heart failure. Biochemical assays which are based on cardiac hormones such as Brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) are also influenced by other diseases and disorders such as renal insufficiency or depend on the overall physical condition of the patient. Nevertheless, Brain natriuretic peptides are the current gold standard for biochemically assessing heart failure. According to a recent study comparing BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) in the diagnosis of heart failure, BNP is a better indicator for heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction than NT-proBNP. In groups of symptomatic patients, a diagnostic odds ratio of 27 for BNP compares with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 84% in detecting heart failure (Ewald 2008, Intern Med J 38 (2):101-13.).

However, it is a goal of modern medicine to reliably identify and treat patients with heart failure and, in particular, to identify them at the early onset of heart failure, i.e. at the early NYHA stages I to III and in particular at NYHA stage I. Accordingly, means and methods for reliably diagnosing heart failure are highly desired but not yet available.

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject comprising the steps of:

a) determining in a sample of a subject suspected to suffer from heart failure the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1, 4B2, 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2;

b) comparing the amount of the said at least one biomarker to a reference, whereby heart failure is to be diagnosed.

The method as referred to in accordance with the present invention includes a method which essentially consists of the aforementioned steps or a method which includes further steps. However, it is to be understood that the method, in a preferred embodiment, is a method carried out ex vivo, i.e. not practised on the human or animal body. The method, preferably, can be assisted by automation.

The term “diagnosing” as used herein refers to assessing whether a subject suffers from the heart failure, or not. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, such an assessment, although preferred to be, may usually not be correct for 100% of the investigated subjects. The term, however, requires that a statistically significant portion of subjects can be correctly assessed and, thus, diagnosed. Whether a portion is statistically significant can be determined without further ado by the person skilled in the art using various well known statistic evaluation tools, e.g., determination of confidence intervals, p-value determination, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test, etc. Details are found in Dowdy and Wearden, Statistics for Research, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1983. Preferred confidence intervals are at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least 95%. The p-values are, preferably, 0.2, 0.1, or 0.05.

The term includes individual diagnosis of heart failure or its symptoms as well as continuous monitoring of a patient. Monitoring, i.e. diagnosing the presence or absence of heart failure or the symptoms accompanying it at various time points, includes monitoring of patients known to suffer from heart failure as well as monitoring of subjects known to be at risk of developing heart failure. Furthermore, monitoring can also be used to determine whether a patient is treated successfully or whether at least symptoms of heart failure can be ameliorated over time by a certain therapy. Moreover, the term also includes classifying a subject according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes for heart failure. According to this classification, heart failure can be subdivided into four classes. Subjects exhibiting class I show no limitation in activities except under strong physical exercise. Subjects exhibiting class II show slight, mild limitation of activity, while comfortable at rest or under mild exertion. Subjects exhibiting class III show marked limitation of any activity, while comfortable only at rest. Subjects exhibiting class IV show discomfort and symptoms even at rest. Preferably, heart failure to be determined in accordance with the present invention is asymptomatic heart failure, i.e. heart failure according to NYHA class I, or symptomatic heart failure, i.e. heart failure at least according to NYHA class II and/or III.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, said subject suffers from an asymptomatic heart failure and the at least one biomarker is a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1 or 4B2. More preferably, said asymptomatic heart failure in the subject is heart failure according to NYHA class I.

In another preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, said subject suffers from symptomatic heat failure and the at least one biomarker is a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2. More preferably, said symptomatic heart failure in the subject is heart failure according to NYHA class II and/or III.

Another staging system is provided by the American Heart Association. Four stages of heart failure are subdivided: Stage A: Patients at high risk for developing HF in the future but no functional or structural heart disorder. Stage B: a structural heart disorder but no symptoms at any stage. Stage C: previous or current symptoms of heart failure in the context of an underlying structural heart problem, but managed with medical treatment. Stage D: advanced disease requiring hospital-based support, a heart transplant or palliative care. It will be understood that the method of the present invention can also be used for staging heart failure according to this system, preferably, the identified biomarkers shall allow to diagnose heart failure according to stages A to C and to discriminate between the asymptomatic stages A and B and the more severe stage C, i.e. symptomatic heart failure.

The term “heart failure” as used herein relates to an impaired function of the heart. The said impairment can be a systolic dysfunction resulting in a significantly reduced ejection fraction of blood from the heart and, thus, a reduced blood flow. Specifically, systolic heart failure is characterized by a significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LEVF), preferably, an ejection fraction of less than 55%. Alternatively, the impairment can be a diastolic dysfunction, i.e. a failure of the ventricle to properly relax. The latter is usually accompanied by a stiffer ventricular wall. The diastolic dysfunction causes inadequate filling of the ventricle and, therefore, results in consequences for the blood flow, in general. Thus, diastolic dysfunction also results in elevated end-diastolic pressures, and the end result is comparable to the case of systolic dysfunction (pulmonary edema in left heart failure, peripheral edema in right heart failure.) Heart failure may, thus, affect the right heart (pulmonary circulation), the left heart (body circulation) or both. Techniques for measuring an impaired heart function and, thus, heart failure, are well known in the art and include echocardiography, electrophysiology, angiography, and the determination of peptide biomarkers, such as the Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) or the N-terminal fragment of its propeptide, in the blood. It will be understood that the impaired function of the heart can occur permanently or only under certain stress or exercise conditions. Dependent on the strength of the symptoms, heart failure can be classified as set forth elsewhere herein. Typical symptoms of heart failure include dyspnea, chest pain, dizziness, confusion, pulmonary and/or peripheral edema. It will be understood that the occurrence of the symptoms as well as their severity may depended on the severity of heart failure and the characteristics and causes of the heart failure, systolic or diastolic or restrictive i.e. right or left heart located heart failure. Further symptoms of heart failure are well known in the art and are described in the standard text books of medicine, such as Stedman or Brunnwald.

Preferably, heart failure as used herein relates to a dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCMP), an ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP).

Preferably, said asymptomatic heart failure is DCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 2A1, 2A2, 2B1 or 2B2. Preferably, said asymptomatic heart failure is ICMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 3A1, 3A2, 3B1 or 3B2. Preferably, said asymptomatic heart failure is HCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 4A1, 4A2, 4B1 or 4B2.

Further preferably, said symptomatic heart failure is DCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 6A1, 6A2, 6B1 or 6B2. Preferably, said symptomatic heart failure is ICMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 7A1, 7A2, 7B1 or 7B2. Preferably, said symptomatic heart failure is HCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2.

The term “biomarker” as used herein refers to a molecular species which serves as an indicator for a disease or effect as referred to in this specification. Said molecular species can be a metabolite itself which is found in a sample of a subject. Moreover, the biomarker may also be a molecular species which is derived from said metabolite. In such a case, the actual metabolite will be chemically modified in the sample or during the determination process and, as a result of said modification, a chemically different molecular species, i.e. the analyte, will be the determined molecular species. It is to be understood that in such a case, the analyte represents the actual metabolite and has the same potential as an indicator for the respective medical condition.

In the method according to the present invention, at least one metabolite of the aforementioned group of biomarkers is to be determined. However, more preferably, a group of biomarkers will be determined in order to strengthen specificity and/or sensitivity of the assessment. Such a group, preferably, comprises at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 10 or up to all of the said biomarkers shown in the respective Tables. In addition to the specific biomarkers recited in the specification, other biomarkers may be, preferably, determined as well in the methods of the present invention.

A metabolite as used herein refers to at least one molecule of a specific metabolite up to a plurality of molecules of the said specific metabolite. It is to be understood further that a group of metabolites means a plurality of chemically different molecules wherein for each metabolite at least one molecule up to a plurality of molecules may be present. A metabolite in accordance with the present invention encompasses all classes of organic or inorganic chemical compounds including those being comprised by biological material such as organisms. Preferably, the metabolite in accordance with the present invention is a small molecule compound. More preferably, in case a plurality of metabolites is envisaged, said plurality of metabolites representing a metabolome, i.e. the collection of metabolites being comprised by an organism, an organ, a tissue, a body fluid or a cell at a specific time and under specific conditions.

The metabolites are small molecule compounds, such as substrates for enzymes of metabolic pathways, intermediates of such pathways or the products obtained by a metabolic pathway. Metabolic pathways are well known in the art and may vary between species. Preferably, said pathways include at least citric acid cycle, respiratory chain, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, hexose monophosphate pathway, oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, production and β-oxidation of fatty acids, urea cycle, amino acid biosynthesis pathways, protein degradation pathways such as proteasomal degradation, amino acid degrading pathways, biosynthesis or degradation of: lipids, polyketides (including e.g. flavonoids and isoflavonoids), isoprenoids (including eg. terpenes, sterols, steroids, carotenoids, xanthophylls), carbohydrates, phenylpropanoids and derivatives, alcaloids, benzenoids, indoles, indole-sulfur compounds, porphyrines, anthocyans, hormones, vitamins, cofactors such as prosthetic groups or electron carriers, lignin, glucosinolates, purines, pyrimidines, nucleosides, nucleotides and related molecules such as tRNAs, microRNAs (miRNA) or mRNAs. Accordingly, small molecule compound metabolites are preferably composed of the following classes of compounds: alcohols, alkanes, alkenes, alkines, aromatic compounds, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, imines, amides, cyanides, amino acids, peptides, thi-ols, thioesters, phosphate esters, sulfate esters, thioethers, sulfoxides, ethers, or combinations or derivatives of the aforementioned compounds. The small molecules among the metabolites may be primary metabolites which are required for normal cellular function, organ function or animal growth, development or health. Moreover, small molecule metabolites further comprise secondary metabolites having essential ecological function, e.g. metabolites which allow an organism to adapt to its environment. Furthermore, metabolites are not limited to said primary and secondary metabolites and further encompass artificial small molecule compounds. Said artificial small molecule compounds are derived from exogenously provided small molecules which are administered or taken up by an organism but are not primary or secondary metabolites as defined above. For instance, artificial small molecule compounds may be metabolic products obtained from drugs by metabolic pathways of the animal. Moreover, metabolites further include peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, oligonucleotides and polynucleotides, such as RNA or DNA. More preferably, a metabolite has a molecular weight of 50 Da (Dalton) to 30,000 Da, most preferably less than 30,000 Da, less than 20,000 Da, less than 15,000 Da, less than 10,000 Da, less than 8,000 Da, less than 7,000 Da, less than 6,000 Da, less than 5,000 Da, less than 4,000 Da, less than 3,000 Da, less than 2,000 Da, less than 1,000 Da, less than 500 Da, less than 300 Da, less than 200 Da, less than 100 Da. Preferably, a metabolite has, however, a molecular weight of at least 50 Da. Most preferably, a metabolite in accordance with the present invention has a molecular weight of 50 Da up to 1,500 Da.

The term “sample” as used herein refers to samples from body fluids, preferably, blood, plasma, serum, saliva or urine, or samples derived, e.g., by biopsy, from cells, tissues or organs, in particular from the heart. More preferably, the sample is a blood, plasma or serum sample, most preferably, a plasma sample. In case of such a blood, plasma or serum sample, preferably, the at least one biomarker to be determined in accordance with the method of the present invention is a biomarker as listed in any one of Tables 1A1, 1A2, 2A1, 2A2, 3A1, 3A2, 4A1, 4A2, 5A1, 5A2, 6A1, 6A2, 7A1, 7A2, 8A1 or 8A2. Furthermore preferably, the sample is a urine sample. In case of such a urine sample, preferably, the at least one biomarker to be determined in accordance with the method of the present invention is a biomarker as listed in any one of Tables 1B1, 1B2, 2B1, 2B2, 3B1, 3B2, 4B1, 4B2, 5B1, 5B2, 6B1, 6B2, 7B1, 7B2, 8B1 or 8B2. Biological samples can be derived from a subject as specified elsewhere herein. Techniques for obtaining the aforementioned different types of biological samples are well known in the art. For example, blood samples may be obtained by blood taking while tissue or organ samples are to be obtained, e.g., by biopsy.

The aforementioned samples are, preferably, pre-treated before they are used for the method of the present invention. As described in more detail below, said pre-treatment may include treatments required to release or separate the compounds or to remove excessive material or waste. Suitable techniques comprise centrifugation, extraction, fractioning, ultrafiltration, protein precipitation followed by filtration and purification and/or enrichment of compounds. Moreover, other pre-treatments are carried out in order to provide the compounds in a form or concentration suitable for compound analysis. For example, if gas-chromatography coupled mass spectrometry is used in the method of the present invention, it will be required to derivatize the compounds prior to the said gas chromatography. Suitable and necessary pre-treatments depend on the means used for carrying out the method of the invention and are well known to the person skilled in the art. Pre-treated samples as described before are also comprised by the term “sample” as used in accordance with the present invention.

The term “subject” as used herein relates to animals and, preferably, to mammals. More preferably, the subject is a primate and, most preferably, a human. The subject, preferably, is suspected to suffer from heart failure, more preferably, it may already show some or all of the symptoms associated with the disease. However, also encompassed as subjects suspected to suffer from heart failure are those, which belong into risk groups or subjects which are included in disease screening projects or measures. More preferably, the subject is an asymptomatic subject exhibiting symptoms according to NYHA classes I or a symptomatic subject exhibiting symptoms according to NYHA class II and/or III. Moreover, the subject shall also preferably exhibit congestive systolic heart failure due to contractile dysfunction such as dilated cardiomyopathy. Preferably, the subject, however, is besides the aforementioned diseases and disorders apparently healthy. In particular, it shall, preferably, not exhibit symptoms according to NYHA class IV patients or suffer from stroke, myocardial infarction within the last 4 month before the sample has been taken or from acute or chronic inflammatory diseases and malignant tumors. Furthermore, the subject is preferably in stable medications within the last 4 weeks before the sample was taken.

The term “determining the amount” as used herein refers to determining at least one characteristic feature of a biomarker to be determined by the method of the present invention in the sample. Characteristic features in accordance with the present invention are features which characterize the physical and/or chemical properties including biochemical properties of a biomarker. Such properties include, e.g., molecular weight, viscosity, density, electrical charge, spin, optical activity, colour, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, elementary composition, chemical structure, capability to react with other compounds, capability to elicit a response in a biological read out system (e.g., induction of a reporter gene) and the like. Values for said properties may serve as characteristic features and can be determined by techniques well known in the art. Moreover, the characteristic feature may be any feature which is derived from the values of the physical and/or chemical properties of a biomarker by standard operations, e.g., mathematical calculations such as multiplication, division or logarithmic calculus. Most preferably, the at least one characteristic feature allows the determination and/or chemical identification of the said at least one biomarker and its amount. Accordingly, the characteristic value, preferably, also comprises information relating to the abundance of the biomarker from which the characteristic value is derived. For example, a characteristic value of a biomarker may be a peak in a mass spectrum. Such a peak contains characteristic information of the biomarker, i.e. the m/z information, as well as an intensity value being related to the abundance of the said biomarker (i.e. its amount) in the sample.

As discussed before, each biomarker comprised by a sample may be, preferably, determined in accordance with the present invention quantitatively or semi-quantitatively. For quantitative determination, either the absolute or precise amount of the biomarker will be determined or the relative amount of the biomarker will be determined based on the value determined for the characteristic feature(s) referred to herein above. The relative amount may be determined in a case were the precise amount of a biomarker can or shall not be determined. In said case, it can be determined whether the amount in which the biomarker is present is enlarged or diminished with respect to a second sample comprising said biomarker in a second amount. In a preferred embodiment said second sample comprising said biomarker shall be a calculated reference as specified elsewhere herein. Quantitatively analysing a biomarker, thus, also includes what is sometimes referred to as semi-quantitative analysis of a biomarker.

Moreover, determining as used in the method of the present invention, preferably, includes using a compound separation step prior to the analysis step referred to before. Preferably, said compound separation step yields a time resolved separation of the metabolites comprised by the sample. Suitable techniques for separation to be used preferably in accordance with the present invention, therefore, include all chromatographic separation techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), thin layer chromatography, size exclusion or affinity chromatography. These techniques are well known in the art and can be applied by the person skilled in the art without further ado. Most preferably, LC and/or GC are chromatographic techniques to be envisaged by the method of the present invention. Suitable devices for such determination of biomarkers are well known in the art. Preferably, mass spectrometry is used in particular gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), direct infusion mass spectrometry or Fourier transform ion-cyclotrone-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), quadrupole mass spectrometry, any sequentially coupled mass spectrometry, such as MS-MS or MS-MS-MS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), pyrolysis mass spectrometry (Py-MS), ion mobility mass spectrometry or time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF). Most preferably, LC-MS and/or GC-MS are used as described in detail below. Said techniques are disclosed in, e.g., Nissen 1995, Journal of Chromatography A, 703: 37-57, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,540,884 or 5,397,894, the disclosure content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. As an alternative or in addition to mass spectrometry techniques, the following techniques may be used for compound determination: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FT-IR), ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, refraction index (RI), fluorescent detection, radiochemical detection, electrochemical detection, light scattering (LS), dispersive Raman spectroscopy or flame ionisation detection (FID). These techniques are well known to the person skilled in the art and can be applied without further ado. The method of the present invention shall be, preferably, assisted by automation. For example, sample processing or pre-treatment can be automated by robotics. Data processing and comparison is, preferably, assisted by suitable computer programs and databases. Automation as described herein before allows using the method of the present invention in high-throughput approaches.

Moreover, the at least one biomarker can also be determined by a specific chemical or biological assay. Said assay shall comprise means which allow to specifically detect the at least one biomarker in the sample. Preferably, said means are capable of specifically recognizing the chemical structure of the biomarker or are capable of specifically identifying the biomarker based on its capability to react with other compounds or its capability to elicit a response in a biological read out system (e.g., induction of a reporter gene). Means which are capable of specifically recognizing the chemical structure of a biomarker are, preferably, antibodies or other proteins which specifically interact with chemical structures, such as receptors or enzymes. Specific antibodies, for instance, may be obtained using the biomarker as antigen by methods well known in the art. Antibodies as referred to herein include both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, as well as fragments thereof, such as Fv, Fab and F(ab) 2 fragments that are capable of binding the antigen or hapten. The present invention also includes humanized hybrid antibodies wherein amino acid sequences of a non-human donor antibody exhibiting a desired antigen-specificity are combined with sequences of a human acceptor antibody. Moreover, encompassed are single chain antibodies. The donor sequences will usually include at least the antigen-binding amino acid residues of the donor but may comprise other structurally and/or functionally relevant amino acid residues of the donor antibody as well. Such hybrids can be prepared by several methods well known in the art. Suitable proteins which are capable of specifically recognizing the biomarker are, preferably, enzymes which are involved in the metabolic conversion of the said biomarker. Said enzymes may either use the biomarker as a substrate or may convert a substrate into the biomarker. Moreover, said antibodies may be used as a basis to generate oligopeptides which specifically recognize the biomarker. These oligopeptides shall, for example, comprise the enzyme's binding domains or pockets for the said biomarker. Suitable antibody and/or enzyme based assays may be RIA (radioimmunoassay), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), sandwich enzyme immune tests, electrochemiluminescence sandwich immunoassays (ECLIA), dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoro immuno assay (DELFIA) or solid phase immune tests. Moreover, the biomarker may also be determined based on its capability to react with other compounds, i.e. by a specific chemical reaction. Further, the biomarker may be determined in a sample due to its capability to elicit a response in a biological read out system. The biological response shall be detected as read out indicating the presence and/or the amount of the biomarker comprised by the sample. The biological response may be, e.g., the induction of gene expression or a phenotypic response of a cell or an organism. In a preferred embodiment the determination of the least one biomarker is a quantitative process, e.g., allowing also the determination of the amount of the at least one biomarker in the sample.

As described above, said determining of the at least one biomarker can, preferably, comprise mass spectrometry (MS). Mass spectrometry as used herein encompasses all techniques which allow for the determination of the molecular weight (i.e. the mass) or a mass variable corresponding to a compound, i.e. a biomarker, to be determined in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, mass spectrometry as used herein relates to GC-MS, LC-MS, direct infusion mass spectrometry, FT-ICR-MS, CE-MS, HPLC-MS, quadrupole mass spectrometry, any sequentially coupled mass spectrometry such as MS-MS or MS-MS-MS, ICP-MS, Py-MS, TOF or any combined approaches using the aforementioned techniques. How to apply these techniques is well known to the person skilled in the art. Moreover, suitable devices are commercially available. More preferably, mass spectrometry as used herein relates to LC-MS and/or GC-MS, i.e. to mass spectrometry being operatively linked to a prior chromatographic separation step. More preferably, mass spectrometry as used herein encompasses quadrupole MS. Most preferably, said quadrupole MS is carried out as follows: a) selection of a mass/charge quotient (m/z) of an ion created by ionisation in a first analytical quadrupole of the mass spectrometer, b) fragmentation of the ion selected in step a) by applying an acceleration voltage in an additional subsequent quadrupole which is filled with a collision gas and acts as a collision chamber, c) selection of a mass/charge quotient of an ion created by the fragmentation process in step b) in an additional subsequent quadrupole, whereby steps a) to c) of the method are carried out at least once and analysis of the mass/charge quotient of all the ions present in the mixture of substances as a result of the ionisation process, whereby the quadrupole is filled with collision gas but no acceleration voltage is applied during the analysis. Details on said most preferred mass spectrometry to be used in accordance with the present invention can be found in WO 03/073464.

More preferably, said mass spectrometry is liquid chromatography (LC) MS and/or gas chromatography (GC) MS. Liquid chromatography as used herein refers to all techniques which allow for separation of compounds (i.e. metabolites) in liquid or supercritical phase. Liquid chromatography is characterized in that compounds in a mobile phase are passed through the stationary phase. When compounds pass through the stationary phase at different rates they become separated in time since each individual compound has its specific retention time (i.e. the time which is required by the compound to pass through the system). Liquid chromatography as used herein also includes HPLC. Devices for liquid chromatography are commercially available, e.g. from Agilent Technologies, USA. Gas chromatography as applied in accordance with the present invention, in principle, operates comparable to liquid chromatography. However, rather than having the compounds (i.e. metabolites) in a liquid mobile phase which is passed through the stationary phase, the compounds will be present in a gaseous volume. The compounds pass the column which may contain solid support materials as stationary phase or the walls of which may serve as or are coated with the stationary phase. Again, each compound has a specific time which is required for passing through the column. Moreover, in the case of gas chromatography it is preferably envisaged that the compounds are derivatised prior to gas chromatography. Suitable techniques for derivatisation are well known in the art. Preferably, derivatisation in accordance with the present invention relates to methoxymation and trimethylsilylation of, preferably, polar compounds and transmethylation, methoxymation and trimethylsilylation of, preferably, non-polar (i.e. lipophilic) compounds.

The term “reference” refers to values of characteristic features of each of the biomarker which can be correlated to a medical condition, i.e. the presence or absence of the disease, diseases status or an effect referred to herein. Preferably, a reference is a threshold value (e.g., an amount or ratio of amounts) for a biomarker whereby values found in a sample to be investigated which are higher than or essentially identical to the threshold are indicative for the presence of a medical condition while those being lower are indicative for the absence of the medical condition. It will be understood that also preferably, a reference may be a threshold value for a biomarker whereby values found in a sample to be investigated which are lower or identical than the threshold are indicative for the presence of a medical condition while those being higher are indicative for the absence of the medical condition.

In accordance with the aforementioned method of the present invention, a reference is, preferably, a reference obtained from a sample from a subject or group of subjects known to suffer from heart failure. In such a case, a value for the at least one biomarker found in the test sample being essentially identical is indicative for the presence of the disease. Moreover, the reference, also preferably, could be from a subject or group of subjects known not to suffer from heart failure, preferably, an apparently healthy subject. In such a case, a value for the at least one biomarker found in the test sample being altered with respect to the reference is indicative for the presence of the disease. The same applies mutatis mutandis for a calculated reference, most preferably the average or median, for the relative or absolute value of the at least one biomarker of a population of individuals comprising the subject to be investigated. The absolute or relative values of the at least one biomarker of said individuals of the population can be determined as specified elsewhere herein. How to calculate a suitable reference value, preferably, the average or median, is well known in the art. The population of subjects referred to before shall comprise a plurality of subjects, preferably, at least 5, 10, 50, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 subjects. It is to be understood that the subject to be diagnosed by the method of the present invention and the subjects of the said plurality of subjects are of the same species.

The value for the at least one biomarker of the test sample and the reference values are essentially identical, if the values for the characteristic features and, in the case of quantitative determination, the intensity values are essentially identical. Essentially identical means that the difference between two values is, preferably, not significant and shall be characterized in that the values for the intensity are within at least the interval between 1 st and 99 th percentile, 5 th and 95 th percentile, 10 th and 90 th percentile, 20 th and 80 th percentile, 30 th and 70 th percentile, 40 th and 60 th percentile of the reference value, preferably, the 50 th , 60 th , 70 th , 80 th , 90 th or 95 th percentile of the reference value. Statistical test for determining whether two amounts are essentially identical are well known in the art and are also described elsewhere herein.

An observed difference for two values, on the other hand, shall be statistically significant. A difference in the relative or absolute value is, preferably, significant outside of the interval between 45 th and 55 th percentile, 40 th and 60 th percentile, 30 th and 70 th percentile, 20 th and 80 th percentile, 10 th and 90 th percentile, 5 th and 95 th percentile, 1 st and 99 th percentile of the reference value. Preferred changes and ratios of the medians are described in the accompanying Tables as well as in the Examples.

Preferably, the reference, i.e. values for at least one characteristic feature of the at least one biomarker or ratios thereof, will be stored in a suitable data storage medium such as a database and are, thus, also available for future assessments.

The term “comparing” refers to determining whether the determined value of a biomarker is essentially identical to a reference or differs therefrom. Preferably, a value for a biomarker is deemed to differ from a reference if the observed difference is statistically significant which can be determined by statistical techniques referred to elsewhere in this description. If the difference is not statistically significant, the biomarker value and the reference are essentially identical. Based on the comparison referred to above, a subject can be assessed to suffer from the disease, or not.

For the specific biomarkers referred to in this specification, preferred values for the changes in the relative amounts or ratios (i.e. the changes expressed as the ratios of the means) or the kind of regulation (i.e. “up”- or “down”-regulation or increase or decrease resulting in a higher or lower relative and/or absolute amount or ratio) are indicated in the Tables and in the Examples below. The ratio of means indicates the degree of increase or decrease, e.g., a value of 2 means that the amount is twice the amount of the biomarker compared to the reference. Moreover, it is apparent whether there is an “up-regulation” or a “down-regulation”. In the case of an “up-regulation” the ratio of the mean shall exceed 1.0 while it will be below 1.0 in case of a “down”-regulation. Accordingly, the direction of regulation can be derived from the Tables as well. It will be understood that instead of the means, medians could be used as well.

Preferably, the values or ratios determined in a sample of a subject according to the present invention are adjusted for age, BMI, gender or other existing diseases, e.g., the presence or absence of diabetes before being comparing to a reference. Alternatively, the references can be derived from values or ratios which have likewise been adjusted for age, BMI, gender or other diseases, e.g., the presence or absence of diabetes. Such an adjustment can be made by deriving the references and the underlying values or ratios from a group of subjects the individual subjects of which are essentially identical with respect to theses parameters to the subject to be investigated. Alternatively, the adjustment may be done by statistical calculations.

Preferably, if a reference is applied which has been obtained from a subject or group of subjects known not to suffer from heart failure, an increase in the amount of the at least one biomarker shall be indicative for the heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 1A1, 1B1, 2A1, 2B1, 3A1, 3B1, 4A1, 4B1, 5A1, 5B1, 6A1, 6B1, 7A1, 7B1, 8A1 or 8B1. Preferably, if a reference is applied which has been obtained from a subject or group of subjects known not to suffer from heart failure, a decrease in the amount of the at least one biomarker shall be indicative for the heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 1A2, 1B2, 2A2, 2B2, 3A2, 3B2, 4A2, 4B2, 5A2, 5B2, 6A2, 6B2, 7A2, 7B2, 8A2, or 8B2.

The comparison is, preferably, assisted by automation. For example, a suitable computer program comprising algorithms for the comparison of two different data sets (e.g., data sets comprising the values of the characteristic feature(s)) may be used. Such computer programs and algorithms are well known in the art. Notwithstanding the above, a comparison can also be carried out manually.

Advantageously, it has been found in the study underlying the present invention that the amounts of the specific biomarkers referred to above are indicators for heart failure. Accordingly, the at least one biomarker as specified above in a sample can, in principle, be used for assessing whether a subject suffers from heart failure. This is particularly helpful for an efficient diagnosis of the disease as well as for improving of the pre-clinical and clinical management of heart failure as well as an efficient monitoring of patients. Moreover, the findings underlying the present invention will also facilitate the development of efficient drug-based therapies or other interventions including nutritional diets against heart failure as set forth in detail below.

The definitions and explanations of the terms made above apply mutatis mutandis for the following embodiments of the present invention except specified otherwise herein below.

The present invention also relates to a method for identifying whether a subject is in need for a therapy of heart failure or a change of therapy comprising the steps of the methods of the present invention and the further step of identifying a subject in need if heart failure is diagnosed.

The phrase “in need for a therapy of heart failure” as used herein means that the disease in the subject is in a status where therapeutic intervention is necessary or beneficial in order to amelio-rate or treat heart failure or the symptoms associated therewith. Accordingly, the findings of the studies underlying the present invention do not only allow diagnosing heart failure in a subject but also allow for identifying subjects which should be treated by a heart failure therapy or whose heart failure therapy needs adjustment. Once the subject has been identified, the method may further include a step of making recommendations for a therapy of heart failure.

A therapy of heart failure as used in accordance with the present invention, preferably, relates to a therapy which comprises or consists of the administration of at least one drug selected from the group consisting of: ACE Inhibitors (ACEI), Beta Blockers, AT1-Inhibitors, Aldosteron Antagonists, Renin Antagonists, Diuretics, Ca-Sensitizer, Digitalis Glykosides, polypeptides of the protein S100 family (as disclosed by DE000003922873A1, DE000019815128A1 or DE000019915485A1 hereby incorporated by reference), natriuretic peptides such as BNP (Nesiritide (human recombinant Brain Natriuretic Peptide—BNP)) or ANP.

The present invention further relates to a method for determining whether a therapy against heart failure is successful in a subject comprising the steps of the methods of the present invention and the further step of determining whether a therapy is successful if no heart failure is diagnosed.

It is to be understood that a heart failure therapy will be successful if heart failure or at least some symptoms thereof can be treated or ameliorated compared to an untreated subject. Moreover, a therapy is also successful as meant herein if the disease progression can be prevented or at least slowed down compared to an untreated subject.

The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring progression or regression of heart failure in a subject comprising the steps of:

a) determining in a first and a second sample of said subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 9A1, 9A2, 9B1, 9B2, 10A1, 10A2, 10B1, 10B2, 11A1, 11A2, 11B1, 11B2, 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, 12B2, 13A1, 13A2, 13B1 or 13B2 wherein said first sample has been obtained prior to said second sample; and

c) comparing the amount of determined in the first sample with the amount determined in the second sample, whereby progression or regression of heart failure is to be diagnosed.

The term “monitoring” as used herein refers to determining heart failure progression or heart failure regression between the time point when the first sample has been taken until the time point when the second sample has been taken. Monitoring can also be used to determine whether a patient is treated successfully or whether at least symptoms of heart failure can be ameliorated over time by a certain therapy.

The term “progression” as used herein refers to the worsening of heart failure or its accompanying symptoms. Preferably, progression as referred to herein refers to a progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic heart failure and, more preferably, from NYHA class I to NYHA class III. Likewise, the term “regression” as used herein refers to an amelioration of heart failure or its accompanying syndromes. Preferably, regression as referred to herein refers to a regression from symptomatic to asymptomatic heart failure and, more preferably, from NYHA class III to NYHA class I or even a healthy status. It will be understood that a regression of heart failure, preferably, occurs after application of a therapy of heart failure as specified elsewhere herein. Accordingly, the aforementioned method can be, preferably, also applied in order to determining whether a therapy against heart failure is successful in a subject.

Preferably, heart failure is DCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 10A1, 10A2, 10B1 or 10B2. Also preferably, said heart failure is ICMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 11A1, 11A2, 11B1 or 11B2. Furthermore preferably, said heart failure is HCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 12A1, 12A2, 12B1 or 12B2.

More preferably, if a blood plasma or serum sample is applied, the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 9A1, 9A2, 10A1, 10A2, 11A1, 11A2, 12A1, 12A2, 13A1 or 13A2. Furthermore preferably, if a urine sample is applied, the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 9B1, 9B2, 1081, 10B2, 11B1, 11B2, 12B1, 12B2, 13B1 or 13B2.

Preferably, an increase in the amount of the at least one biomarker determined in the second sample compared to the first sample shall be indicative for the heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 9A1, 9B1, 10A1, 1081, 11A1, 11B1, 12A1 or 12B1. Preferably, a decrease in the amount of the at least one biomarker determined in the second sample compared to the first sample shall be indicative for the heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 9A2, 9B2, 10A2, 10B2, 11 A2, 11B2, 12A2 or 12B2.

Also preferably, said monitoring progression or regression of heart failure is accompanied by a progression or regression of a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction if the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 13A1, 13A2, 13B1, or 13B2 are determined in the aforementioned monitoring method.

A reduced LVEF as referred to in accordance with the aforementioned method is, preferably, a significantly reduced LVEF as specified elsewhere herein.

Preferably, the subject to be investigated by the aforementioned method is a subject which suffers from or is suspected to suffer from DCMP and/or ICMP.

More preferably, if a blood plasma or serum sample is applied, the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 13A1 or 13A2. Furthermore preferably, if a urine sample is applied, the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 13B1 or 13B2.

Preferably, an increase in the amount of the at least one biomarker determined between the second sample compared to the first sample shall be indicative for the progression of heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 13A2 or 13B2. Preferably, a decrease in the amount of the at least one biomarker determined between the second sample compared to the first sample shall be indicative for the progression of heart failure for a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in any one of Tables 13A1 or 13B1.

Preferably, the comparison between the first and the second sample as referred to in accordance with the aforementioned method is carried out by calculating the ratio of the mean as an indicator for the strength and direction of the regulation of a given biomarker. Ratio of the mean was calculated by dividing the mean of the amount of the biomarker in the heart failure group by the reference mean, i.e. the mean amount of the biomarker in a reference group of subjects. Results concerning correlation of metabolite levels with LVEF are described by statistical parameters, such as the p-value, for the correlation and an estimate indicating the slope of the regression line expressed in units of standard deviation for the respective metabolite.

The aforementioned methods for the determination of the at least one biomarker can be implemented into a device. A device as used herein shall comprise at least the aforementioned means. Moreover, the device, preferably, further comprises means for comparison and evaluation of the detected characteristic feature(s) of the at least one biomarker and, also preferably, the determined signal intensity. The means of the device are, preferably, operatively linked to each other. How to link the means in an operating manner will depend on the type of means included into the device. For example, where means for automatically qualitatively or quantitatively determining the biomarker are applied, the data obtained by said automatically operating means can be processed by, e.g., a computer program in order to facilitate the assessment. Preferably, the means are comprised by a single device in such a case. Said device may accordingly include an analyzing unit for the biomarker and a computer unit for processing the resulting data for the assessment. Preferred devices are those which can be applied without the particular knowledge of a specialized clinician, e.g., electronic devices which merely require loading with a sample.

Alternatively, the methods for the determination of the at least one biomarker can be implemented into a system comprising several devices which are, preferably, operatively linked to each other. Specifically, the means must be linked in a manner as to allow carrying out the method of the present invention as described in detail above. Therefore, operatively linked, as used herein, preferably, means functionally linked. Depending on the means to be used for the system of the present invention, said means may be functionally linked by connecting each mean with the other by means which allow data transport in between said means, e.g., glass fiber cables, and other cables for high throughput data transport. Nevertheless, wireless data transfer between the means is also envisaged by the present invention, e.g., via LAN (Wireless LAN, W-LAN). A preferred system comprises means for determining biomarkers. Means for determining biomarkers as used herein encompass means for separating biomarkers, such as chromatographic devices, and means for metabolite determination, such as mass spectrometry devices. Suitable devices have been described in detail above. Preferred means for compound separation to be used in the system of the present invention include chromatographic devices, more preferably devices for liquid chromatography, HPLC, and/or gas chromatography. Preferred devices for compound determination comprise mass spectrometry devices, more preferably, GC-MS, LC-MS, direct infusion mass spectrometry, FT-ICR-MS, CE-MS, HPLC-MS, quadrupole mass spectrometry, sequentially coupled mass spectrometry (including MS-MS or MS-MS-MS), ICP-MS, Py-MS or TOF. The separation and determination means are, preferably, coupled to each other. Most preferably, LC-MS and/or GC-MS are used in the system of the present invention as described in detail elsewhere in the specification. Further comprised shall be means for comparing and/or analyzing the results obtained from the means for determination of biomarkers. The means for comparing and/or analyzing the results may comprise at least one databases and an implemented computer program for comparison of the results. Preferred embodiments of the aforementioned systems and devices are also described in detail below.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a diagnostic device comprising:

a) an analysing unit comprising a detector for at least one biomarker as listed in any one of Tables 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1, 4B2, 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1, 8B2, 9A1, 9A2, 9B1, 9B2, 10A1, 10A2, 10B1, 10B2, 11A1, 11A2, 11B1, 11B2, 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, 12B2, 13A1, 13A2, 13B1 or 13B2, wherein said analyzing unit is adapted for determining the amount of the said biomarker detected by the detector, and, operatively linked thereto;

b) an evaluation unit comprising a computer comprising tangibly embedded a computer program code for carrying out a comparison of the determined amount of the at least one biomarker and a reference amount and a data base comprising said reference amount as for the said biomarker whereby it will be diagnosed whether a subject suffers from heart failure.

Preferably, the computer program code is capable of executing step of the method of the present invention as specified elsewhere herein in detail.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a further database comprising the kind of regulation and/or fold of regulation values indicated for the respective at least one biomarker in any one of Tables 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1, 4B2, 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1, 8B2, 9A1, 9A2, 9B1, 9B2, 10A1, 10A2, 10B1, 10B2, 11A1, 11A2, 11B1, 11B2, 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, 12B2, 13A1, 13A2, 13B1 or 13B2 and a further tangibly embedded computer program code for carrying out a comparison between the determined kind of regulation and/or fold of regulation values and those comprised by the database.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a data collection comprising characteristic values of at least one biomarker being indicative for a medical condition or effect as set forth above (i.e. diagnosing heart failure in a subject).

The term “data collection” refers to a collection of data which may be physically and/or logically grouped together. Accordingly, the data collection may be implemented in a single data storage medium or in physically separated data storage media being operatively linked to each other. Preferably, the data collection is implemented by means of a database. Thus, a database as used herein comprises the data collection on a suitable storage medium. Moreover, the database, preferably, further comprises a database management system. The database management system is, preferably, a network-based, hierarchical or object-oriented database management system. Furthermore, the database may be a federal or integrated database. More preferably, the database will be implemented as a distributed (federal) system, e.g. as a Client-Server-System. More preferably, the database is structured as to allow a search algorithm to compare a test data set with the data sets comprised by the data collection. Specifically, by using such an algorithm, the database can be searched for similar or identical data sets being indicative for a medical condition or effect as set forth above (e.g. a query search). Thus, if an identical or similar data set can be identified in the data collection, the test data set will be associated with the said medical condition or effect. Consequently, the information obtained from the data collection can be used, e.g., as a reference for the methods of the present invention described above. More preferably, the data collection comprises characteristic values of all biomarkers comprised by any one of the groups recited above.

In light of the foregoing, the present invention encompasses a data storage medium comprising the aforementioned data collection.

The term “data storage medium” as used herein encompasses data storage media which are based on single physical entities such as a CD, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, optical storage media, or a diskette. Moreover, the term further includes data storage media consisting of physically separated entities which are operatively linked to each other in a manner as to provide the aforementioned data collection, preferably, in a suitable way for a query search.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising:

(a) means for comparing characteristic values of the at least one biomarker of a sample operatively linked to

(b) a data storage medium as described above.

The term “system” as used herein relates to different means which are operatively linked to each other. Said means may be implemented in a single device or may be physically separated devices which are operatively linked to each other. The means for comparing characteristic values of biomarkers, preferably, based on an algorithm for comparison as mentioned before. The data storage medium, preferably, comprises the aforementioned data collection or database, wherein each of the stored data sets being indicative for a medical condition or effect referred to above. Thus, the system of the present invention allows identifying whether a test data set is comprised by the data collection stored in the data storage medium. Consequently, the methods of the present invention can be implemented by the system of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, means for determining characteristic values of biomarkers of a sample are comprised. The term “means for determining characteristic values of biomarkers” preferably relates to the aforementioned devices for the determination of metabolites such as mass spectrometry devices, NMR devices or devices for carrying out chemical or biological assays for the biomarkers.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a diagnostic means comprising means for the determination of at least one biomarker selected from any one of the groups referred to above.

The term “diagnostic means”, preferably, relates to a diagnostic device, system or biological or chemical assay as specified elsewhere in the description in detail.

The expression “means for the determination of at least one biomarker” refers to devices or agents which are capable of specifically recognizing the biomarker. Suitable devices may be spectrometric devices such as mass spectrometry, NMR devices or devices for carrying out chemical or biological assays for the biomarkers. Suitable agents may be compounds which specifically detect the biomarkers. Detection as used herein may be a two-step process, i.e. the compound may first bind specifically to the biomarker to be detected and subsequently generate a detectable signal, e.g., fluorescent signals, chemiluminescent signals, radioactive signals and the like. For the generation of the detectable signal further compounds may be required which are all comprised by the term “means for determination of the at least one biomarker”. Compounds which specifically bind to the biomarker are described elsewhere in the specification in detail and include, preferably, enzymes, antibodies, ligands, receptors or other biological molecules or chemicals which specifically bind to the biomarkers.

Further, the present invention relates to a diagnostic composition comprising at least one biomarker selected from any one of the groups referred to above.

The at least one biomarker selected from any of the aforementioned groups will serve as a biomarker, i.e. an indicator molecule for a medical condition or effect in the subject as set for the elsewhere herein. Thus, the biomarker molecules itself may serve as diagnostic compositions, preferably, upon visualization or detection by the means referred to in herein. Thus, a diagnostic composition which indicates the presence of a biomarker according to the present invention may also comprise the said biomarker physically, e.g., a complex of an antibody and the biomarker to be detected may serve as the diagnostic composition. Accordingly, the diagnostic composition may further comprise means for detection of the metabolites as specified elsewhere in this description. Alternatively, if detection means such as MS or NMR based techniques are used, the molecular species which serves as an indicator for the risk condition will be the at least one biomarker comprised by the test sample to be investigated. Thus, the at least one biomarker referred to in accordance with the present invention shall serve itself as a diagnostic composition due to its identification as a biomarker.

In general, the present invention contemplates the use of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1, 4B2, 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2 in a sample of a subject for diagnosing heart failure.

Preferably, said subject suffers from an asymptomatic heart failure, preferably, according to NYHA class I, and the at least one biomarker is a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 4A2, 4B1 or 4B2. In particular, in the use of the present invention, asymptomatic heart failure is (i) DCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 2A1, 2A2, 2B1 or 2B2, (ii) ICMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 3A1, 3A2, 3B1 or 3B2 or (iii) HCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 4A1, 4A2, 4B1 or 4B2.

Moreover, preferably envisaged in accordance with the use of the present invention said heart failure is a symptomatic heart failure, preferably, according to NYHA class II and/or III and the at least one biomarker is a biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 5A1, 5A2, 5B1, 5B2, 6A1, 6A2, 6B1, 6B2, 7A1, 7A2, 7B1, 7B2, 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2. In particular, in the use of the present invention, symptomatic heart failure is (i) DCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 6A1, 6A2, 6B1 or 6B2, (ii) ICMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 7A1, 7A2, 7B1 or 7B2 or (iii) HCMP and said at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 8A1, 8A2, 8B1 or 8B2.

Finally, the present invention contemplates the use of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 9A1, 9A2, 9B1, 9B2, 10A1, 10A2, 1081, 10B2, 11A1, 11A2, 11B1, 11B2, 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, 12B2, 13A1, 13A2, 13B1 or 13B2 in a sample of a subject for monitoring progression or regression of heart failure.

Preferably, the subject suffers from DCMP and/or ICMP. Also preferably, at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers listed in Table 13A1, 13A2, 13B1 or 13B2 in a sample of the said subject can be used for determining progression or regression of a reduced LVEF in the subject.

All references cited herein are herewith incorporated by reference with respect to their disclosure content in general or with respect to the specific disclosure contents indicated above.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following Examples which are not intended to restrict or limit the scope of this invention.

Example 1: Study Design for the Differentiation of CHF Subtypes DCMP (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), ICMP (Ischemic Cardiomyopathy) and HCMP (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) from Healthy Controls

The study comprised 81 male and female DCMP-, 81 male and female ICMP- and 80 male and female HCMP patients as well as 83 male and female healthy controls in an age range from 35-75 and a BMI rage from 20-35 kg/m2. NYHA (New York Heart Association) scores of the patients ranged from 1-3. Patients and controls were matched for age, gender and BMI. For all patients and controls, a blood and a urine sample was collected. Plasma was prepared by centrifugation, and samples were stored at −80° C. until measurements were performed.

Three subgroups of CHF (DCMP, ICMP and HCMP) were defined on the basis of echocardiography and hemodynamic criteria:

a) Subgroup DCMP: is hemodynamically defined as a systolic pump failure with cardiomegaly (echocardiographic enhancement of the left ventricular end diastolic diameter >55 mm and a restricted left ventricular ejection fraction—LVEF of <50%).

b) Subgroup ICMP: is hemodynamically defined as systolic pump failure due to a coronary insufficiency (>50% coronary stenosis and a stress inducible endocardium motion insufficiency as well as an LVEF of <50%)

c) Subgroup HCMP: concentric heart hypertrophy (echocardiography-septum >11 mm, posterior myocardial wall >11 mm) and with a diastolic CHF (non or mildly impaired pump function with LVEF of ≥50%).

NYHA IV patients were excluded as well as patients suffering from apoplex, patients who had myocardial infarction within the last 4 months before testing, patients with altered medications within the last 4 weeks before testing as well as patients who suffered from acute or chronic inflammatory diseases and malignant tumours.