Compositions, kits and methods for identification, assessment, prevention, and therapy of breast and ovarian cancer

Abstract

The invention relates to newly discovered nucleic acid molecules and proteins associated with breast or ovarian cancer. Compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human breast or ovarian cancers are provided.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of assessing whether a patient is afflicted with breast cancer, the method comprising comparing: 
 a) the level of expression of a marker in a patient sample, wherein the marker comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, and    b) the normal level of expression of the marker in a control non-cancerous breast sample,    wherein a significant increase in the level of expression of the marker in the patient sample and the normal level is an indication that the patient is afflicted with breast cancer.    
     
     
         2 . A method of assessing whether a patient is afflicted with ovarian cancer, the method comprising comparing: 
 a) the level of expression of a marker in a patient sample, wherein the marker comprises SEQ ID NO:67, and    b) the normal level of expression of the marker in a control non-cancerous ovarian sample,    wherein a significant increase in the level of expression of the marker in the patient sample and the normal level is an indication that the patient is afflicted with ovarian cancer.    
     
     
         3 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 13, 19, 29, 35, 37, 55 and 89.  
     
     
         4 . A vector which contains the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A host cell which contains the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         6 . An isolated polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 13, 19, 29, 35, 37, 55 and 89.  
     
     
         7 . An antibody which selectively binds to the polypeptide of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 10, 14, 20, 30, 36, 38, 56 and 90.  
     
     
         9 . An antibody which selectively binds to the polypeptide of  claim 8.