Compositions and methods for detecting, diagnosing, and treating cancer

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer, particularly ovarian cancer and uterine cancer, based on the discovery that the oocyte specific protein, SAS1R (Sperm Acrosomal SLLP1 Receptor), which is a sperm protein receptor, is also expressed in various cancers, including ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. Six SAS1R variants have been previously identified, and they are encompassed by the invention. The present invention further provides antibodies useful for targeting SAS1R expressing cells and for killing such cells.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method to treat cancer comprising
 a) selecting a patient that expresses SAS1R protein or mRNA; and   b) administering to said patient an effective amount of an antagonist of SAS1R, thereby treating a SAS1R positive cancer.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said expression of SAS1R protein or mRNA is detected in a sample from said patient by analyzing the results with an analytical device and program. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the analytical device comprises a computer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the analytical device comprises a sequence analyzer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the expression of SAS1R protein or mRNA is quantified with an analytical device and program. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said expression of SAS1R is compared with the level in a control sample. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said sample is selected from the group consisting of tumor biopsy, tissue sample, blood, plasma, peritoneal fluid, follicular fluid, ascites, urine, feces, saliva, mucus, phlegm, sputum, tears, cerebrospinal fluid, effusions, lavage, and Pap smears. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said expression of SAS1R protein or mRNA is detected using a method selected from the group consisting of ELISA, immunoassay, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, imaging, immunoprecipitation, northern blot, western blot, PCR, and surface plasmon resonance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said SAS1R protein is a cell surface protein. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said SAS1R protein is detected on the surface of a cell. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of carcinoma, sarcoma, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, adenocarcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the lung, squamous carcinoma, squamous carcinoma of the lung, malignant mixed mullerian tumor, leukemia, lymphoma, and endometrioid carcinoma. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said sample is a tumor biopsy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said SAS1R is detected using PCR. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said PCR is performed using primers selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:28-33. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said expression of SAS1R protein is detected using an antibody, or a fragment or homolog thereof, directed against SAS1R. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody binds to one or more SAS1R protein fragments selected from the group consisting of amino acids 1-25, 26-50, 51-75, 76-100, 101-125, 126-150, 151-175, 176-200, 201-225, 226-250, 251-275, 276-300, 301-325, 326-350, 351-375, 376-400, 401-425, and 426-431 of SAS1R human variant 1 (SEQ ID NO:23). 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody binds to one or more SAS1R protein fragments selected from the group consisting of amino acids 1-20, 21-40, 41-30 60, 61-80, 81-100, 101-120, 121-140, 141-160, 161-180, 181-200, 201-220, 221-240, 241-260, 261-280, 281-300, 301-320, 321-340, 341-360, 361-380, 381-400, 401-420, 421-431, and 411-431 of SAS1R human variant 1 (SEQ ID NO:23). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of a single chain antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a bi-specific antibody, a chimeric antibody, a synthetic antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a fully human antibody, or active fragments or homologs thereof.