Methods and materials for identifying and treating mammals having lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials involved in identifying mammals having lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation as well as methods and materials involved in treating mammals having lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. For example, methods and materials for using ASCL1 and RET expression levels to identify lung cancer patients having lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation are provided.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating lung cancer, wherein said method comprises:
 (a) detecting the presence of an elevated level of ASCL1 expression and an elevated level of RET expression in lung cancer cells from a mammal, and   (b) administering a molecule to said mammal under conditions wherein the number of lung cancer cells within said mammal is reduced, wherein said molecule is selected from the group consisting of sunitinib, vandetanib, riluzole, alteplase, anistreplase, tenecteplase, sucralfate, dasatinib, pazopanib, tivozanib, OSI-930, telatinib, tandutinib, imatinib, sorafenib, levodopa, carbidopa, entacapone orion, L-dopa, ABT-089, mecamylamine, and succinylcholine.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said lung cancer is lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said molecule is sunitinib.