Method for early detection of cancers

Abstract

The invention includes methods for detecting the presence of a neoplastic condition by comparing a sample level of a BIF-1 to a reference, wherein a low level of BIF-1 in the sample correlates with the presence of a neoplastic condition. Another method involves determining the risk of relapse, tumor recurrence and/or metastasis by determining a sample level of a Bif-1 to a reference level of Bif-1, wherein low sample levels correlate with a likelihood of relapse, recurrence and/or metastasis. Yet another method includes detecting the presence of a pre-neoplastic condition, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. The method involves measuring a level of a Bif-1 in a sample and comparing the level of Bif-1 in the sample to a reference level of Bif-1. High levels of Bif-1 in the sample correlate with the presence of the pre-neoplastic condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for determining the effectiveness of a course of treatment to a neoplastic condition, comprising:
 measuring a level of Bif-1 in a test sample of colon tissue, rectal tissue, or prostate tissue, prior to administration of the treatment to form a reference Bif-1 level, wherein the test sample is suspected of being colorectal or prostate cancer;   measuring a level of Bif-1 in the test sample subsequent to administration of the treatment to form a test Bif-1 level;   comparing the test Bif-1 level in the test sample to the reference Bif-1 level from the test sample; and   establishing a ratio of Bif-1 levels in the sample based on the compared test Bif-1 level to the reference Bif-1 level;   wherein a lower ratio of Bif-1 level in the test sample prior to administration of the treatment relative to administration of the treatment correlates with the effectiveness of the treatment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test sample is colon tumor tissue. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference sample is taken from the same source as the test sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Bif-1 in a sample is selected from the group consisting of the level of a Bif-1 polypeptide in a sample and the level of Bif-1 gene expression in the sample. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Bif-1 in a sample is measured by an assay selected from the group consisting of detecting the expression of Bif-1 using a nucleic acid that specifically hybridizes to Bif-1, detecting the expression of Bif-1 using primers that result in the amplification thereof and detecting the quantity of a monoclonal antibody or fragment that specifically binds to Bif-1 in the sample. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test Bif-1 level in the test sample is measured using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry or microarray analysis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference Bif-1 level in the test sample is measured using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry or microarray analysis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference sample is age-matched, sex-matched, matched to the patient's own tissue, or a combination thereof.