Glycine N-methyltransferase monoclonal antibodies and methods of use therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides two unique monoclonal antibodies directed against a portion of the human Glycine N-methyltransferase, and methods of use for the monoclonal antibodies in detecting, monitoring and diagnosing malignancies characterized by down-regulation of expression or inappropriate expression of the Glycine N-methyltransferase.

1 . A method for diagnosing a disease characterized by a glycine n-methyltransferase expression comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a biological sample from a patient having clinical symptoms associated with hepatoma;    b) providing a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of GRL 1 that is secreted by a hybridoma cell line GRL 1, GRL7 that is secreted by a hybridoma cell line GRL7 and a cocktail composition selectively containing the GRL1 and GRL7 antibodies;    c) contacting said sample with said monoclonal antibody; and    d) detecting a binding of said monoclonal antibody to said biological sample, wherein the presence of such binding indicates the presence of said disease.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is selected from the group comprising of whole blood, serum, plasma or tissue and said disease is selected from the group comprising hepatoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer or kidney cancer.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma and serum.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)