Cancer-related biological materials in microvesicles

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for assaying a biological sample from a subject by analyzing components of microvesicle fractions in aid of risk, diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of, or directing treatment of the subject for, a disease or other medical condition in the subject. Also disclosed are methods of treatment and identifying biomarkers using a microvesicle fraction of a subject. Kits, pharmaceutical compositions, and profiles related to the methods are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for assaying a biological sample from a subject in aid of diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of a disease or other medical condition in the subject, comprising the steps of:
 a. obtaining or using a microvesicle fraction from a biological sample from a subject;   b. extracting nucleic acid from the fraction; and   c. detecting the presence or absence of a biomarker in the extracted nucleic acid;   wherein the biomarker is a genetic aberration associated with diagnosis, prognosis, status or stage of a disease or other medical condition, and wherein the genetic aberration is in or corresponds to:
 i. a c-myc gene; 
 ii. a transposable element; 
 iii. a retrotransposon element; 
 iv. a satellite correlated gene; 
 v. a repeated DNA element; 
 vi. non-coding RNA other than miRNA; or 
 vii. a fragment of any of the foregoing.