Tumour Markers

Abstract

A method of determining the immune response of a mammal to circulating tumour marker proteins is described in which a sample of bodily fluid, for example plasma or serum, is contacted with a panel of two or more distinct tumour marker antigen. The presence of complexes between the tumour marker antigens and any autoantibodies to the antigens present in the sample are detected and provide an indication of an immune response to a circulating tumour marker protein. The method is useful for the diagnosis of cancer, particularly for identifying new or recurrent cancer in an otherwise assymptomatic patient.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for the identification of those individuals which are at increased risk of developing cancer in a population of asymptomatic individuals comprising:
 (a) contacting a sample of bodily fluids from a mammal with a panel of two or more distinct tumour marker antigens;   (b) determining the presence or absence of complexes of the tumour marker antigens bound to autoantibodies present in the sample of bodily fluids, the autoantibodies being immunologically specific to the tumour marker proteins;   wherein the presence of the complexes is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for the determination of the tumour marker profile of an individual suffering from cancer comprising:
 (a) contacting a sample of bodily fluids from the individual with a panel of two or more distinct tumour marker antigens;   (b) determining the presence or absence of complexes of the tumour marker antigens bound to autoantibodies present in the sample of bodily fluids, the autoantibodies being immunologically specific to the tumour marker proteins;   wherein the presence of the complexes provides the tumour marker profile of the individual.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for predicting the response of an individual with cancer to anti-cancer treatment comprising:
 (a) contacting a sample of bodily fluids from a mammal with a panel of two or more distinct tumour marker antigens;   (b) determining the presence or absence of complexes of the tumour marker antigens bound to autoantibodies present in the sample of bodily fluids, the autoantibodies being immunologically specific to the tumour marker proteins;   wherein the presence of the complexes correlates with the response to the anti-cancer treatment.   
     
     
         25 .- 72 . (canceled)