Compositions and methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tumor progression

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tumor progression in cells involved in human tumors such as melanomas, breast, gastrointestinal, lung, and bone tumors, various types of skin cancers, and other neoplastic conditions such as leukemias and lymphomas. Genes are identified that are differentially expressed in benign (e.g., non-malignant) tumor cells relative to malignant tumor cells exhibiting a high metastatic potential. Genes are also identified via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in the progression to, and/or aggressiveness of, neoplastic tumor disease states. The genes and gene products identified can be used diagnostically or for therapeutic intervention.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . An antibody which specifically binds a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 and the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:7.  
     
     
         30 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         31 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         32 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         33 . The antibody of  claim 32  wherein the label is a fluorescent compound.  
     
     
         34 . The antibody of  claim 33  wherein the fluorescent compound is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine.  
     
     
         35 . The antibody of  claim 32  wherein the label is a chemiluminescent compound.  
     
     
         36 . The antibody of  claim 35  wherein the chemiluminescent compound is selected from the group consisting of luminol, isoluminol, theromatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salt and oxalate ester.  
     
     
         37 . The antibody of  claim 32  wherein the label is a bioluminescent compound.  
     
     
         38 . The antibody of  claim 37  wherein the bioluminescent compound is selected from the group consisting of luciferin, luciferase, and aequorin.  
     
     
         39 . The antibody of  claim 32  wherein the label is a radioactive compound.  
     
     
         40 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is linked to an enzyme.  
     
     
         41 . The antibody of  claim 40  wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-5-steroid isomerase, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate, dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase and acetylcholinesterase.  
     
     
         42 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is linked to solid phase support.  
     
     
         43 . The antibody of  claim 29  wherein the antibody is a human antibody.  
     
     
         44 . A polypeptide fragment of the antibody which specifically binds a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 and the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:7.  
     
     
         45 . The polypeptide fragment of  claim 44  wherein the polypeptide fragment is a Fab fragment or a F(ab 1 ) 2  fragment.