Perinucleolar compartment as a cancer marker

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, prognostics and predictions, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides perinucleolar compartments and their resident molecules as cancer markers.

1 . A method for predicting or prognosticating the recurrence or metastases of cancer comprising:
 a) screening a sample from a subject for the presence of perinucleolar compartments; and   b) determining if said subject is susceptible to recurrence or metastases of cancer based on said presence of perinucleolar compartments.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject comprises a human subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said screening comprises identifying the prevalence of said perinucleolar compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said screening comprises detecting polypyrimidine tract binding (PTB) protein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said screening step comprises immunostaining of said perinucleolar compartments. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting a therapy for said subject based on the presence of perinucleolar compartments. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said therapy comprises chemotherapy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has been administered an anti-cancer therapy. 
     
     
         9 . A method for predicting or prognosticating the recurrence or metastases of cancer comprising:
 a) screening a sample from a subject for the expression of PTB; and   b) determining if said subject is susceptible to recurrence or metastases of cancer based on said amount of PTB expression.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said subject comprises a human subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of selecting a therapy for said subject based on said amount of PTB expression. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said therapy comprises chemotherapy. 
     
     
         13 . A method for screening compounds, comprising:
 a) providing cancer cells and a candidate drug;   b) exposing said cancer cells to said candidate drug; and   c) detecting the presence of perinucleolar compartments in said cancer cell.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said candidate drug comprises a candidate chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said cancer cells are present in a mammal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of selecting candidate drugs that affect the presence of said perinucleolar compartments in said cancer cell. 
     
     
         18 .- 20 . (canceled)