Predicting cancer progression

A method of selecting an adjuvant treatment for a subject diagnosed with a cancer disease and treating the subject with the selected adjuvant treatment, the method comprising the steps of:

• contacting an antibody that binds specifically to a serum form of thymidine kinase 1 (STK1) protein with a first blood serum sample taken from the subject before completion of a cancer treatment selected from the group consisting of surgery, radio therapy, chemotherapy and a combination thereof;
• determining a first amount of antibody binding to the STK1 protein in the first blood serum sample;
• correlating the first amount of antibody binding to a first concentration of STK1 protein in the first blood serum sample using a standard curve defining a correlation between an amount of antibody binding to recombinant human TK1 (rhTK1) and a concentration of rhTK1;
• contacting the antibody with a second blood serum sample taken from the subject within one to six months after completion of the cancer treatment;
• determining a second amount of antibody binding to the STK1 protein in the second blood serum sample;
• correlating the second amount of antibody binding to a second concentration of STK1 protein in the second body fluid sample using the standard curve;
• identifying the subject as having a high risk of future cancer relapse if the second concentration is equal to or higher than the first concentration and otherwise identifying the subject as having a low risk of future cancer relapse;
• selecting an adjuvant treatment for the subject based on whether the subject is identified as having high risk or low risk of future cancer relapse;
• and
• treating the subject with the selected adjuvant treatment.