Method for diagnosis and therapy of Hodgkin's lymphomas

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for diagnosing and treating Hodgkin's lymphomas (lymphogranulomatosis) which is based on the expression of the variant exon v10 of the CD44 gene as a molecular marker or target. There is a significant correlation between v10 expression and the stage and prognosis of the disease. In a preferred embodiment, v10-specific antibody molecules are used to measure the expression of the exon in samples. In another preferred embodiment, radiolabelled v10-specific antibodies are used to treat Hodgkin's lymphomas.

1 . Method of diagnosing or treating Hodgkin's lymphomas (lymphogranulomatosis), characterised in that this method is based on the expression of the variable exon v10 of the gene CD44 as molecular marker.  
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it is based on the binding of an antibody molecule to an epitope which is coded by the variable exon v10 of the gene CD44.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , characterised in that an antibody molecule is used which recognises the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 2.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterised in that the antibody molecule is a monoclonal antibody, an Fab- or F(ab′) 2 -fragment of an immunoglobulin, a recombinantly produced antibody, a recombinantly produced chimeric, humanised antibody or single chain antibody (scFv).  
     
     
         5 . Use of an antibody molecule which is specific to an epitope which is coded by the variant exon v10 of the CD44 gene, in a method according to one of  claims 1  to  4 .  
     
     
         6 . Use of an antibody molecule which is specific for an epitope within the amino acid sequence coded by the variable exon v10 of the CD44 gene, for treating Hodgkin's lymphomas (lymphogranulomatosis).  
     
     
         7 . Use according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the antibody molecule binds to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 2.  
     
     
         8 . Use according to one of claims  6  and  7 , characterised in that the antibody molecule is a monoclonal antibody, a Fab- or F(ab′) 2 -fragment of an immunoglobulin, a recombinantly produced antibody, a recombinantly produced chimeric or humanised antibody, or single chain antibody (scFv).  
     
     
         9 . Use according to one of  claims 6  to  8 , characterised in that the antibody molecule is linked to a radioactive isotope, a radioactive compound, an enzyme, a toxin, a cytostatic, a prodrug, a cytokine or another immunomodulatory polypeptide.  
     
     
         10 . Use of an antibody molecule which is specific for an epitope within the amino acid sequence coded by the variable exon v10 of the CD44 gene, for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for diagnosing and/or treating tumoral diseases.  
     
     
         11 . Use according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the tumoral disease is a Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphogranulomatosis).  
     
     
         12 . Use according to  claim 10  or  11 , characterised in that the antibody molecule binds to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 2.  
     
     
         13 . Antibody molecule which is specific for an epitope within the amino acid sequence coded by the variable exon v10 of the CD44 gene, for pharmaceutical use.  
     
     
         14 . Antibody molecule according to  claim 14 , characterised in that it binds to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 2.  
     
     
         15 . Antibody molecule according to  claim 13  or  14 , characterised in that it is a monoclonal antibody, a Fab- or F(ab′) 2 -fragment of an immunoglobulin, a recombinantly produced antibody, a recombinantly produced chimeric or humanised antibody or single chain antibody (scFv).  
     
     
         16 . Antibody molecule according to one of  claims 13  to  15 , characterised in that it is linked to a radioactive isotope, a radioactive compound, an enzyme, a toxin, a cytostatic, a prodrug, a cytokine or another immunomodulatory polypeptide.