Gene encoding labyrinthin, a marker for cancer

Abstract

A cDNA molecule that encodes a protein designated Labyrinthin (Lab) isolated and its nucleotide sequence is determined. The protein, or peptides derived from the protein, are markers useful to define novel classes of cancers. Diagnostic assays for these cancers use antibodies to Lab or nucleotide probes that hybridize with the lab gene or a fragment therefrom. Vaccines useful either to prevent recurrence of cancers in subjects who test positive for Lab (or lab), or to prevent initial occurrence of cancer, use proteins or peptides derived from Lab. Expression of Lab via immunogenic assays is used to monitor effects of cancer treatments. Antisense molecules against lab are used in treatments. Sense molecules of lab are used to restore lost lab function in diseased normal cells, for example, gland cells.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of assaying the efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment directed to an adenocarcinoma, comprising assaying for the level of labyrinthin present in the sample, wherein a decrease in the level of labyrinthin during a course of said treatment indicates that said treatment is efficacious. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sample is a biopsy material. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the anti-cancer treatment comprises administering an anti-labyrinthin antibody or binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the level of labyrinthin is assayed by contacting said sample with a labyrinthin binding agent, said agent comprising an anti-labyrinthin antibody or binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the level of labyrinthin is assayed by quantifying labyrinthin mRNA level. 
     
     
         26 . A method of assaying the efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment directed to an adenocarcinoma cell, comprising contacting a sample from a patient with anti-labyrinthin probe and assaying for the expression level of labyrinthin that is capable of hybridizing a labyrinthin DNA sequence, wherein binding of the labyrinthin probe to the sample indicates that the anti-cancer agent is effective against the sample. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein quantifying labyrinthin mRNA level is carried out by hybridizing a labyrinthin cDNA sequence under stringent condition of 6×ssc, 0.05×blotto, 50% formamide and 42° C. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the level of labyrinthin is assayed by PCR. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the level of labyrinthin is assayed by ELISA. 
     
     
         30 . A method of testing if a cancer patient is a candidate for treatment with a vaccine containing labyrinthin or a fragment thereof or an antibody to labyrinthin, comprising assaying for overexpression of labyrinthin present in a biological sample from said patient. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the sample is a biopsy material. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein overexpression of labyrinthin is assayed by ELISA using an anti-labyrinthin antibody or binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein overexpression of labyrinthin is assayed by PCR using labyrinthin probes and/or primers. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said cancer patient is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma.