Early marker of proteinuria in patients treated with an anti-vegf treatment

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a human receiving a therapy (e.g., an anti-VEGF therapy such as a bevacizumab therapy) has developed or is at risk for developing proteinuria. For example, methods and materials for detecting urinary podocytes to determine whether or not a human receiving anti-VEGF therapy has or is at risk for developing proteinuria or kidney injury are provided.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for identifying a human who has received an anti-VEGF or anti-EGFR therapy as having proteinuria or a risk of developing proteinuria, said method comprising:
 using an antibody to detect the presence of one or more podocytes in a urine sample of a human who received anti-VEGF therapy or an anti-EGFR therapy, and   classifying said human as having or as being at risk of developing proteinuria based at least in part on said presence.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said human received said anti-VEGF therapy. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said anti-VEGF therapy is selected from the group consisting of a bevacizumab therapy, a sunitinib therapy, and a sorafenib therapy. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said antibody is an anti-podocin antibody. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said detecting step comprises using flow cytometry to detect said one or more podocytes. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said human is a non-pregnant human. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the presence of said one or more podocytes in said urine sample is detected by detecting the presence of remnants of one or more urinary podocytes. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said method comprises determining whether or not said urine sample contains three or more urinary podocytes per high power field.