M30 Apoptosense ELISA is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed for the detection of soluble caspase-cleaved keratin 18 (ccK18, K18-Asp396, formerly cytokeratin 18, ccCK18 or CK18-Asp396). The M30 Apoptosense ELISA is a non-invasive test for the detection of apoptosis of epithelially derived cells. Caspases are activated in apoptotic cells and cleave intracellular protein substrates. K18 is one such substrate, expressed by many epithelial cells (e.g. hepatocytes, intestinal cells, breast cells, prostate cells). Cleaved K18 is released into the circulation after cell death.
The main uses of M30 Apoptosense ELISA are to measure apoptosis of tumor cells in response to cytotoxic drugs (breast, prostate and other forms of carcinomas); measure hepatocyte apoptosis to aid the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and steatosis in patients with hepatitis C virus infection; and serve as a biomarkers of epithelial apoptosis in liver and intestinal graft-versus-host disease. M30 Apoptosense ELISA can be combined with the M65 ELISA (Peviva, VLVbio) to determine cell death mode (apoptosis versus necrosis).