The present invention relates generally to a method for detecting an aberrant cell, and more particularly an apoptotic cell, in a subject or in a biological sample from said subject, and agents useful for same. The presence of the aberrant cell or group of aberrant cells provides an indication of a particular disease or condition or a propensity for development of a disease or condition. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for detecting an apoptotic cell by detecting the presence of extranuclear nuclear molecules, in particular La, or a relative increase in extranuclear nuclear molecule levels. The present invention further provides a method for diagnosing or monitoring conditions characterized by aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate cellular apoptosis in a subject or in a biological sample from said subject by screening for up-regulation of extranuclear nuclear molecule levels in a cell or group of cells. The present invention provides diagnostic agents useful for detecting these molecules. Such diagnostic agents include immunointeractive molecules, such as antibodies.
