Usp2a peptides and antibodies

Abstract

The invention relates to novel USP2a peptides and antibodies, as well as nucleic acids related to them. The peptides, antibodies and the nucleic acids are useful for the detection, staging and monitoring of the progression of cancer, as well as for determining or monitoring the efficacy of treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for diagnosing, staging or monitoring the progression of a USP2a associated disease in a subject, the method comprising:
 a) obtaining a sample from the subject;   b) contacting the sample with a nucleic acid molecule specifically hybridizable with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a USP2a peptide, where the USP2a peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1, SEQ ID NO. 2 and variants thereof;   c) determining a level of USP2a in the sample detected by said nucleic acid molecule specifically hybridizable with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a USP2a peptide; and   d) comparing the level of the USP2a in the sample to a baseline level of the USP2a;   wherein a difference in the level of USP2a in the sample as compared to the baseline level of greater than 1% overexpression is indicative of the presence, stage or progression of the USP2a associated disease in the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises RNA. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 e) modifying therapeutic intervention or treatment of the USP2a disease or condition based on the difference in USP2a levels over or under the baseline. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the determination of the USP2a is by a method selected from the group consisting of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, Southern blot, Northern blot, sequence analysis, gene microarray analysis, and detection of a reporter gene. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a patient. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the patient has been diagnosed with a USP2a associated disease. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the patient is undergoing treatment for a USP2a associated disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the baseline level of USP2a is the level of USP2a from an individual free of the USP2a associated disease. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the baseline level of USP2a is the level of USP2a from said patient prior to any treatment.