Abca1 downregulation in prostate cancer

Abstract

A method of providing a prognosis or diagnosis of prostate cancer in a subject is described. The method includes obtaining a urine or prostate sample from the subject; determining the level of expression of ABCA1 in the sample; and comparing the level of expression of ABCA1 in the sample to the level of a control sample, wherein a decreased level of ABCA1 expression compared to the control indicates the subject has prostate cancer or a more severe form of prostate cancer. Methods of treating subjects identified as having prostate cancer, and kits for carrying out the method of prognosis or diagnosis are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for conducting diagnosis or prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject, comprising:
 antibody specific for the ABCA1 protein,   a reference value or control sample for ABCA1 levels,   reagents necessary for conducting an immunoassay, and   a package for holding the antibody, the reference value or control sample, and the reagents.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit further comprises instructions for using the kit to carry out a method of diagnosing or providing a prognosis of prostate cancer for a subject using the antibody, reagents, and the reference values or control samples. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody was generated using the ABCA1 antigen sequence CRLFSDARRLLLYSQKDTSMKDM.