Cancer-associated genes

Abstract

To provide a method for detecting a cancer cell in a resected specimen by determining a change in an expression level of at least one of cancer-associated genes selected from genes of which cDNA is a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and 66 to 68 in Sequence Listing, or a DNA capable of hybridizing with a nucleic acid consisting of a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and 66 to 68 in Sequence Listing under stringent conditions; as well as a kit for detecting cancer by the above method, and the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for detecting a cancer cell in a resected specimen, characterized by determining a change in an expression level of at least one of cancer-associated genes selected from genes of which cDNA is a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and 66 to 68 in Sequence Listing, or a DNA capable of hybridizing with a nucleic acid consisting of a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and 66 to 68 in Sequence Listing under stringent conditions.  
     
     
         2 . The detection method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the change in an expression level of a cancer-associated gene is determined by the change in an expression level of mRNA corresponding to said gene.  
     
     
         3 . The detection method according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the change in an expression level of mRNA is detected by utilizing a nucleic acid amplification method based on said mRNA or a partial portion thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The detection method according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said nucleic acid amplification is polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         5 . The detection method according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the change in an expression level of mRNA is detected by Northern hybridization method.  
     
     
         6 . The detection method according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the change in an expression level of mRNA is detected by RNase protection assay.  
     
     
         7 . The detection method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the change in an expression level of a cancer-associated gene is determined by a change in an expression level of a protein encoded by said gene.  
     
     
         8 . The detection method according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the change in expression of the protein is detected by utilizing an antibody capable of recognizing said protein.  
     
     
         9 . A kit for detecting cancer by the method of  claim 3 , wherein the kit comprises primers for amplifying mRNA of which change in an expression level is to be determined or a partial portion thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A kit for detecting a cancer cell by the method of  claim 8 , wherein the kit comprises an antibody recognizing a protein of which change in an expression level is to be determined.  
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling proliferation of a cancer cell using a substance specifically binding to a gene or an expression product of said gene, characterized in that cDNA of the gene is at least one of DNAs selected from a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 16 and 66 to 68 in Sequence Listing, or a DNA capable of hybridizing with a nucleic acid consisting of any one of these nucleotide sequences under stringent conditions, wherein the DNA is usable for detection of a cancer cell by a change in an expression level thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A peptide usable for detection of a cancer cell, characterized in that the peptide is shown in an amino acid sequence comprising an entire portion of any one of amino acid sequences as shown in SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 19, 69 and 70 in Sequence Listing or a partial portion thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A peptide usable for detection of a cancer cell, characterized in that the peptide has an amino acid sequence comprising an amino acid sequence resulting from at least one of deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acid residues in an amino acid sequences as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 19, 69 and 70 in Sequence Listing.  
     
     
         14 . An antibody usable for detection of a cancer cell, wherein the antibody recognizes the peptide of  claim 12  or  13 .  
     
     
         15 . A kit for detecting a gastric cancer cell, wherein the kit comprises primer pairs which are capable of amplifying a mRNA for a cancer-associated gene to be detected of which change in an expression level is to be determined, wherein said cancer-associated gene consists of the nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 66, and wherein the primer pairs consist of at least two primers, each comprising 10 to 30 nucleotides.