Use of novel cytokine receptors as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer

Abstract

Nucleic acids encoding erythropoietin isoforms are described herein, as well as the encoded isoforms, methods of detecting the same, and methods of screening for and treating cancer.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of
 a nucleic acid encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 1 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 4;   a nucleic acid encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 2 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 6;   a nucleic acid encoding erythrropoietin receptor isoform 3 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 8;   a nucleic acid encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 4 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 10;   a nucleic acid encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 5 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 12;   a nucleic acid that encodes the opposite strand of a nucleic acid as set forth above.   
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1  encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 1 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1  encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 2 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         4 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1  encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 3 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         5 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1  encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 4 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 10. 
     
     
         6 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1  encoding erythropoietin receptor isoform 5 and having the sequence given herein as SEQ ID NO: 12. 
     
     
         7 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid is an RNA. 
     
     
         8 . A recombinant nucleic acid comprising a promoter operatively associated with a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A host cell containing a recombinant nucleic acid according to  claim 8  and which expresses the encoded erythropoetin receptor isoform. 
     
     
         10 . An isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An antibody that selectively binds to a protein according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . The antibody according to  claim 11  coupled to a detectable group. 
     
     
         13 . The antibody according to  claim 11  coupled to a solid support. 
     
     
         14 . The antibody according to  claim 11 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         15 . The antibody according to  claim 11 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . An oligonucleotide probe that specifically binds to a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of screening a subject for cancer, comprising:
 detecting the presence or absence of a nucleic acid according to  claim 1  in said subject,   the presence of such a nucleic acid indicating said subject is afflicted with or at risk of developing cancer.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said cancer is breast, cervix, colon, lung, ovarian or prostate cancer. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said detecting step is carried out by collecting a biological sample from said subject, and then detecting the presence or absence of said nucleic acid in said biological sample. 
     
     
         20 . A method of screening a subject for cancer, comprising:
 detecting the presence or absence of a protein encoded by a nucleic acid according to  claim 1  in said subject,   the presence of such a protein indicating said subject is afflicted with or at risk of developing cancer.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said cancer is breast, cervix, colon, lung, ovarian or prostate cancer. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said detecting step is carried out by collecting a biological sample from said subject, and then detecting the presence or absence of said protein in said biological sample. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said detecting step is carried out by immunoassay. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said detecting step is carried out by detecting nucleic acid that encodes said protein.