Pin1 as a marker for abnormal cell growth

Abstract

Methods for the use of Pin1 as a marker of abnormal cell growth are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a level of Pin1 to stage an abnormal cell growth, such as breast or prostate cancer. In another embodiment, the method includes evaluating the efficacy of a treatment of an abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, by monitoring the levels of Pin1. In another embodiment, the method includes evaluating the extent of metastasis of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer. The levels of Pin1 can be protein levels or nucleic acid levels.

1 . A method of detecting abnormal cell growth in a mammal, comprising assessing the level of Pin1 in a test sample from the mammal, wherein an elevation in the levels of Pin1 is indicative of abnormal cell growth.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Pin1 is a protein level.  
     
     
         3 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A method of detecting abnormal cell growth in a mammal, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a level of Pin1 in a test sample; and    comparing the level of Pin1 in the test sample with a control level,    and wherein a difference in the level of Pin1 in the test sample is indicative of abnormal cell growth in the mammal.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the level of Pin1 is a protein level.  
     
     
         12 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A method of detecting abnormal cell growth in a mammal by assessing the level of Pin1 protein in a test sample from the mammal, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the test sample with an antibody having specificity for Pin1 under conditions suitable for binding of the antibody to Pin1 thereby resulting in the formation of a complex between the antibody and Pin1;    (b) detecting the complex between the antibody and Pin1; and    (c) comparing the amount of the complex in the test sample with an amount of a complex in a control sample,    wherein an elevation in the amount of the complex between the antibody and Pin1 in the test sample compared to the complex in the control sample is indicative of abnormal cell growth.    
     
     
         17 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of determining a stage of an abnormal cell growth, comprising assessing a level of Pin1 in a test sample from a mammal.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the stage of the abnormal cell growth is a stage of abnormal breast or prostate cancer cell growth.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the level of Pin1 is a protein level.  
     
     
         31 - 36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . A method of evaluating the efficacy of a treatment of abnormal cell growth in a mammal, comprising comparing a level of Pin1 in at least two test samples, wherein the test samples comprise a first test sample obtained at a first time and a second test sample obtained at a later second time, wherein a decrease in the level of Pin1 between the two test samples indicates the efficacy of the treatment of the abnormal cell growth in the mammal.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the level of Pin1 is a protein level.  
     
     
         39 . A kit for determining a stage of abnormal cell growth in a mammal comprising one or more reagents for detecting a level of Pin1 in a test sample obtained from the mammal.  
     
     
         40 . A kit for evaluating the efficacy of a cancer treatment in a mammal, comprising one or more reagents for detecting a level of Pin1 in a test sample obtained from the mammal.  
     
     
         41 . A kit for distinguishing between an abnormal cell growth and a normal cell growth in a mammal comprising one or more reagents for detecting a level of Pin1 in a test sample obtained from the mammal.  
     
     
         42 - 45 . (canceled)  
     
     
         46 . A method for facilitating the diagnosis of cancer in a subject, comprising detecting the level of a Pin1 marker in a sample from the subject as an indication of whether the subject has cancer, thereby facilitating the diagnosis of the subject.  
     
     
         47 - 55 . (canceled)  
     
     
         56 . A method of treating a subject for a state associated with abnormal cell growth, comprising administering a Pin1 modulator to the subject such that the state associated with abnormal cell growth is treated.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the Pin1 modulator is a Pin1 inhibitor.  
     
     
         58 . A method of treating a subject for cancer, comprising administering a Pin1 modulator to the subject such that the cancer is treated.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the Pin1 modulator is a Pin1 inhibitor.  
     
     
         60 . method of  claim 58 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of breast, ovarian, prostatic, cervical, skin, digestive track, lung, kidney, liver or testicular cancer.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the cancer is colon cancer.  
     
     
         62 - 88 . (canceled)