Methods of diagnosing cancer

Abstract

The invention provides a method of diagnosing the presence of cancer in a subject by detecting the expression of a signal peptide-containing protein, wherein the method comprises: providing a biological sample from the subject; contacting the biological sample with a polypeptide which specifically binds to antibodies present in the biological sample, wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 and a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least about 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16; detecting the presence of bound polypeptide in the biological sample; comparing the presence of bound polypeptide in the biological sample with the presence of bound polypeptide in a control sample; wherein a higher presence in the biological sample as compared to the control sample is correlated with the presence of cancer.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of diagnosing the presence of cancer in a subject by detecting the expression of a signal peptide-containing protein, wherein the method comprises:
 (a) providing a biological sample from the subject;   (b) contacting the biological sample with an antibody or antibody fragment which specifically binds to a signal peptide-containing protein present in the biological sample, wherein the antibody or antibody fragment specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, and 
 (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least about 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, 
   (c) detecting the presence of bound antibody in the biological sample;   (d) comparing the presence of bound antibody in the biological sample with the presence of bound antibody in a control sample;   (e) wherein a higher presence in the biological sample as compared to the control sample is correlated with the presence of cancer.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biological sample comprises body fluids, tissues, or extracts of such tissues. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a Fab fragment. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a F(ab′)2 fragment. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a single-chain antibody. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is labeled. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is labeled to a reporter molecule. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of adenocarcinomas, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cell cancer, stomach cancer, testicular seminoma, mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, uterine adenosquamous carcinoma 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the breast cancer is ductal or lobular.