Treating cancer

Abstract

Provided is a method for measuring the sensitivity of a cancer cell to an anti-cancer agent, which method comprises testing a sample for the mutational status, expression, and/or function of a negative signal transduction factor (NSTF), and testing the sample for the mutational status, expression, and/or function of a positive signal transduction factor (PSTF), wherein when the method comprises measuring the radiosensitivity of wild-type p53 cancer cells by testing a sample comprising wild-type p53 cells or an extract therefrom for the abundance of Raf-1 protein by Western blotting, an antibody specific to Raf-1 protein is employed.

1 . A method for treating a subject having cancer, which method comprises: 
 (i) selecting an agent for treating cancer by: 
 (a) testing a sample from the subject for the expression of a negative signal transduction factor (NSTF); and  
 (b) testing a sample from the subject for the expression of a positive signal transduction factor (PSTF);  
 (c) selecting a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment based upon a relationship between the expression of the NSTF and the expression of the PSTF; and  
   (ii) treating the subject with the selected agent.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said NSTF is a factor which has an activity selected from the group consisting of inhibiting or arresting the cell cycle, causing withdrawal from the cell cycle, and/or causing apoptosis or other cell death, thereby inhibiting cell division.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said NSTF is a suppressor of signal transduction.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said NSTF is selected from the group consisting of p53 and p21.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said NSTF is a PSTF inhibitor.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said PSTF inhibitor is a Raf-1 inhibitor, a cyclin D1 inhibitor and a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said PSTF is a factor which has an activity selected from the group consisting of stimulating cells to enter the cell cycle, initiating and/or carrying out DNA synthesis, and controlling the passage of cells through the cell cycle.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said PSTF is selected from the group consisting of a transcription factor, an oncogene, a proto-oncogene, a gene which inhibits and/or controls cell cycle division, and a cell surface receptor.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said PSTF is selected from the group consisting of Raf-1 protein, cyclin D1 protein and a cyclin dependent kinase.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said cyclin dependent kinase is selected from the group consisting of CDK1 and CDk4.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent comprises a platinating agent.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said platinating agent comprises CDDP.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said sample is extracted from a subject.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said sample is a sample of cells.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said testing is carried out by labeling said sample with a specific antibody against a positive signal transduction factor having a fluorescent label and performing a cell count of labeled cells.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said cell count is performed using multi-parameter flow cytometry.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said cell count is performed using scanning confocal microscopy.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said cell count is performed using fluorescence activated cell sorting.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said sample of cells is micro-dissected prior to performing said cell count to separate normal tissue from tumor tissue.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein prior to performing said cell count, intercellular adhesion in said sample is disrupted to form a single cell suspension.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said testing is carried out by labeling said sample with a specific antibody against a negative signal transduction factor having a fluorescent label and performing a cell count of labeled cells.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said cell count is performed using multi-parameter flow cytometry.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said cell count is performed using scanning confocal microscopy.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said cell count is performed using fluorescence activated cell sorting.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said sample of cells is micro-dissected prior to performing said cell count to separate normal tissue from tumor tissue.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein prior to performing said cell count, intercellular adhesion in said sample is disrupted to form a single cell suspension.