Method and assay for determining fas expression

Abstract

Methods and immunoassays for the determination of fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression in patients having or suspected of having a proliferative disorder, especially prostate cancer, are disclosed. The sensitive method and assay detect the level of expression of FAS in a biological sample using antibodies that are highly specific for FAS. The method and assay can be used to monitor the progression of cancer, and/or to predict the efficacy of certain treatments or the likelihood of recurrence of the cancer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring the progression of cancer, comprising the steps of:
 a. contacting a biological sample from a cancer patient with a first purified anti-FAS antibody that is specific for the peptide encoded by SEQ ID NO. 4, under conditions sufficient to form a conjugate of the antibody and FAS protein in the sample;   b. contacting the conjugate formed in step (a) with a second anti-FAS antibody, wherein the second antibody is tagged with a detectable label;   c. determining the amount of FAS protein present in the sample; and   d. correlating the amount of FAS present in the sample with aggressiveness, of the cancer;
 wherein the presence of a high level of FAS in the sample is indicative of an aggressive form of the cancer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where in the biological sample is serum. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the detectable labels are fluorescent labels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first antibody is disposed on a substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the substrate is a glass slide or microtiter plate.