Uses of mammalian cytokines and agonists; related reagents

Abstract

Provided are methods of treatment for tumors. In particular, provided are methods of using of a cytokine molecule and its receptor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of modulating a neoplasm comprising contacting the neoplasm with an effective amount of TSLP or an agonist thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neoplasm is a tumor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tumor is a cancerous tumor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the neoplasm is an epithelial derived tumor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the epithelial derived tumor is a:
 a) breast tumor;   b) colon tumor;   c) lung tumor;   d) ovary tumor; or   e) prostate tumor.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modulating is inhibition of tumor progression. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the inhibition of tumor progression is tumor rejection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tumor rejection consists of:
 a) tumor size reduction; or   b) loss of metastatic potential.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neoplasm contains dendritic cells. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agonist is a:
 a) mutein of TSLP;   b) small molecule; or   c) agonist antibody.   
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a subject suffering from a neoplasm comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of TSLP or an agonist thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the neoplasm is a tumor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tumor is a cancerous tumor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the neoplasm is an epithelial derived tumor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the epithelial tumor is a:
 a) breast tumor;   b) colon tumor;   c) lung tumor;   d) ovary tumor; or   e) prostate tumor.   
     
     
         16 . A method of preventing development of a neoplasm comprising a administration to a subject of an effective amount of TSLP or agonist thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the neoplasm is a tumor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tumor is a cancerous tumor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the neoplasm is an epithelial derived tumor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the epithelial tumor is a:
 a) breast tumor;   b) colon tumor;   c) lung tumor;   d) ovary tumor; or   e) prostate tumor.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the TSLP or agonist thereof is administered as a vaccine adjuvant. 
     
     
         22 . A method of diagnosing a neoplasm comprising contacting a biological sample from a subject with a TSLP or TLSPR antibody under conditions suitable for the formation of an antibody:antigen complex, and detecting the complex.