Methods for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer

Abstract

We have discovered a protein in humans, herein referred to as collagen like gene (CLG) product (SEQ ID NOS: 12 and 13), that is expressed in human prostate cancer and breast cancer cell lines but not in normal adult, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney or pancreas tissues. We have also discovered that the level of CLG mRNA expression correlates positively with the metastatic potential of the cancer cell lines tested.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of diagnosing cancer in a patient, comprising:
 (a) obtaining a biological sample; and   (b) measuring levels of CLG in said sample, wherein levels of CLG in said sample greater than a base line level is indicative of cancer.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the biological sample is selected from blood, tissue, serum, stool, urine, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid and supernatant from cell lysate. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cancer is liposarcoma, prostate cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer or breast cancer. 
     
     
         25 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for determining the metastatic potential of a tumor comprising measuring the level of CLG expression in said tumor, wherein levels of CLG in said tumor greater than a base line level indicates an increased metastatic potential. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the level of mRNA expressing CLG is measured. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mRNA is detected by use of an RNA dependent polymerase chain reaction. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mRNA is detected by Northern blot analysis by hybridizing mRNA from said biological sample to a CLG nucleotide probe. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the level of the CLG protein is measured. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the method of measuring the level of CLG levels comprises the steps of:
 (a) contacting a sample or preparation thereof with an antibody or antibody fragment which selectively binds CLG; and   (b) detecting whether said antibody or said antibody fragment is bound by said sample and thereby measuring the levels of CLG present.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said antibody, or said antibody fragment, is detectably labeled. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a peptide having amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or 13. 
     
     
         37 . The polynucleotide of  claim 36 , wherein the polynucleotide is DNA. 
     
     
         38 . The polynucleotide of  claim 36 , wherein the polynucleotide is cDNA. 
     
     
         39 . The polynucleotide of  claim 36 , wherein the polynucleotide is RNA. 
     
     
         40 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . An isolated antibody or' antibody fragment which selectively binds a CLG having amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or 13. 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The antibody of  claim 47 , wherein said antibody is a single chain antibody. 
     
     
         50 . The antibody of  claim 47 , wherein said antibody is humanized. 
     
     
         51 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 47 , wherein said antibody or antibody fragment is detectably labelled. 
     
     
         52 - 56 . (canceled)