Method for cancer screening

Abstract

Methods for detecting if a subject with tumor cells is at increased risk of developing tumor progression. The method involves determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of tumor tissue taken from the subject. The frequency of endoapoptosis in the tissue sample indicates whether the subject is at increased risk of developing tumor progression. Method for screening chemical agents for anti-tumor effects.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of detecting if a subject with tumor cells is at increased risk of developing tumor progression comprising the step of determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of tumor tissue wherein the frequency of endoapoptosis indicates said subject is at increased risk of developing tumor progression.  
     
     
         2 . A method of detecting malignancy of tumor tissue, comprising the step of determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of said tumor tissue, wherein the frequency of endoapoptosis indicates said subject is at increased risk of developing malignancy of said tumor.  
     
     
         3 . A method of monitoring the status of a tumor in a subject comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in samples of a tumor obtained from the subject periodically over a given time interval; and    (b) comparing the frequencies, with an increase in frequency being an indication of increased tumor progression and a decrease in frequency being an indication of decreased tumor progression.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said time interval comprises a period in which the subject receives anti-tumor therapy and in which said samples are obtained from the subject at one or more times before, during or after anti-tumor therapy.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said tumor is a solid tumor.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said tumor is a hematogenous tumor.  
     
     
         7 . A method for determining the clinical stage of cancer in a subject, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of a tumor from said subject, and    (b) comparing the frequency determined in step (a) with predetermined frequencies of endoapoptosis that occur in corresponding tumors of subjects at several stages of the disease.    
     
     
         8 . A method of screening one or more tissues from a subject for the presence of malignant cells, the method comprising the step of determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of said one or more tissues from said subject, said frequency of endoapoptosis correlated with the presence of malignant cells.  
     
     
         9 . A method of screening for the presence of metastatic disease in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in said biological sample;    (b) comparing the frequency with a reference standard of metastatic disease to provide a quantitative value; and    (c) correlating said quantitative value to metastatic disease in said biological sample.    
     
     
         10 . A method of screening for the presence of genomic instability in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in said biological sample;    (b) comparing the frequency with a reference standard of genomic instability to provide a quantitative value; and    (c) correlating said quantitative value to genomic instability in said biological sample.    
     
     
         11 . A kit for determining the frequency of endoapoptosis in a sample of tissue, said kit comprising staining materials for examination of subcelluar anatomy.  
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein said staining materials are adapted for use in light microscopic examination of said tissue.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein said staining materials are adapted for use in flow cytometric analysis of said tissue.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 11  further comprising instructions for scoring the frequency of endoapoptosis of malignancy in tumor tissues.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11  further comprising a standard histogram showing the increase in the frequency of endoapoptosis through tumor progression from normal to maligant status.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 11  further comprising slides or color photographs of stages of endoapoptosis.  
     
     
         17 . A method for screening an agent for anti-tumor effects on a sample of tumor tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a sample of tumor tissue;    (b) exposing the sample of tissue to the agent over an interval of time;    (c) determining the frequencies of endoapoptosis in said sample of tumor tissue over said interval of time; and    (d) comparing the frequencies, with a maintenance or decrease in frequency of endoapoptosis relative to unexposed tissue being an indication of the agent's anti-tumor effect.    
     
     
         18 . A method for screening a putative anti-tumor agent for anti-tumor effects on a sample of tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a sample of tissue;    (b) exposing the sample of tissue to a genotoxic agent for a sufficient period of time to induce tumor progression;    (c) exposing the sample of tissue to the putative anti-tumor agent for an interval of time;    (c) determining the frequencies of endoapoptosis in said sample of tissue over said interval of time; and    (d) comparing the frequencies, with a maintenance or decrease in frequency of endoapoptosis relative to unexposed tissue being an indication of the agent's anti-tumor effect.