Methods for the diagnosis of cancer through detection of human endogenous retrovirus WL (HERV-WL) envelope expression

A method of detecting cancer cells in a subject comprising:

• a. obtaining a biological sample from said subject;
• b. detecting whether human endogenous retrovirus env (HERV-WL) is present in said biological sample by contacting the biological sample with an anti-HERV-WL-Env specific antibody that specifically binds to SEQ ID NO:
• 2, and detecting binding between HERV-WL-Env and the antibody;
• c. comparing the level of HERV-WL-Env detected in the biological sample to a standard level in a control sample;
• and
• d. wherein if the level of HERV-WL-Env is greater in the biological sample as compared to the standard level in the control sample, this greater level of HERV-WL-Env is indicative of cancer cells in the subject, wherein the cancer is one of:
• lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, ameloblastoma, throat cancer and breast cancer;
• wherein the anti-HERV-WL-Env specific antibody is a non-human, mammalian anti-HERV-WL-Env specific antibody.