Method for identifying pre-neoplastic and/or neoplastic states in mammals

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of identifying pre-neoplastic and/or neoplastic states in mammals and in particular to a method for identifying pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cells in tissues and body fluids, based on differential expression of purinergic receptors in these cells.

1 . A method of staging and/or diagnosing pre-neoplastic and/or neoplastic states in a mammal, comprising detecting the P2X purinergic receptor expression profile of cells and/or tissue from said mammal and comparison of the profile with a predetermined expression profile of normal cells and/or tissue. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the cells are prostate tissue cells. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the cells are breast tissue cells. 
     
     
         6 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein detection of the P2X purinergic receptor expression profile comprises use of an antibody reagent. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the P2X antibody reagent is specific for P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 or P2X7. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the antibody reagent is specific for P2X1, P2X2, P2X3 or P2X7. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the antibody reagent comprises a polyclonal antiserum. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the antibody reagent comprises a monoclonal antiserum. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the antibody reagent is a suite of polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the antibody reagent is a suite of monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         18 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A kit for diagnosing a pre-neoplastic and/or neoplastic state in a mammal comprising means for detection of P2X purinergic receptor expression profile in a sample comprising cells and/or tissue from the mammal and means for comparison of the expression level with a predetermined expression level. 
     
     
         40 . A kit according to  claim 39  wherein the detection means comprises an antibody reagent specific for a P2X purinergic receptor. 
     
     
         41 . A kit according to  claim 40  wherein the P2X purinergic receptor antibody reagent comprises a polyclonal antiserum. 
     
     
         42 . A kit according to  claim 40  wherein the P2X purinergic receptor antibody reagent comprises a monoclonal antiserum. 
     
     
         43 . A kit according to  claim 42  wherein the P2X purinergic receptor antibody reagent is specific for P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 or P2X7. 
     
     
         44 . A kit according to  claim 43  wherein the antibody reagent is specific for P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, or P2X7.