Reagents and methods useful for detecting diseases of the prostate

Abstract

A set of contiguous and partially overlapping cDNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as PCIGF and transcribed from prostate tissue, is described. These sequences are useful for the detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, in vivo imaging, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the prostate, such as prostate cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to PCIGF-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific PCIGF polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of prostate diseases, tumors or metastases.

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         26 . A PCIGF polypeptide having less than the full-length amino acid sequence of PCIGF shown in SEQUENCE ID NO 6, wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 50% identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acids 220-308 of SEQUENCE ID NO 6 or a fragment thereof, SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9, and fragments of SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9.  
     
     
         27 . The PCIGF polypeptide of  claim 26 , wherein said polypeptide is produced by recombinant techniques.  
     
     
         28 . The PCIGF polypeptide of  claim 26 , wherein said polypeptide is produced by synthetic techniques.  
     
     
         29 . A specific binding molecule which binds to at least one PCIGF epitope derived from a polypeptide having less than the full-length amino acid sequence of PCIGF shown in SEQUENCE ID NO 6 and which comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 50% identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acids 220-308 of SEQUENCE ID NO 6 or a fragment thereof, SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9, and fragments of SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9.  
     
     
         30 . The specific binding molecule of  claim 29 , wherein said molecule is an antibody molecule.  
     
     
         31 . A test kit for determining the presence of PCIGF antigen or anti-PCIGF antibody in a test sample, said kit comprising a container containing a PCIGF polypeptide having less than the full-length amino acid sequence of PCIGF shown in SEQUENCE ID NO 6 and which comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 50% identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acids 220-308 of SEQUENCE ID NO 6 or a fragment thereof, SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9, and fragments of SEQUENCE ID NOS 7-9  
     
     
         32 . The test kit of  claim 31 , wherein said PCIGF polypeptide is attached to a solid phase.  
     
     
         33 . A test kit for determining the presence of PCIGF antigen in a test sample, said kit comprising a container containing a specific binding molecule according to  claim 29 .  
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein said specific binding molecule is attached to a solid phase.  
     
     
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         45 . The test kit of  claim 31  further comprising a container with tools useful for collection of said sample, wherein the tools are selected from the group consisting of lancets, absorbent paper, cloth, swabs and cups.  
     
     
         46 . The test kit of  claim 33  further comprising a container with tools useful for collection of said sample, wherein the tools are selected from the group consisting of lancets, absorbent paper, cloth, swabs and cups.  
     
     
         47 . The test kit of  claim 33 , wherein said specific binding molecule is an antibody or fragment thereof.  
     
     
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