Methods for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy
OwnerDiane Pennica, Paul Polakis +2inventors
InventorsDiane Pennica, Paul Polakis, Wayne Szeto, David Tice
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Abstract
The invention concerns the identification of tumor antigens the expression of which is selectively upregulated by retinoid treatment. The invention further concerns improved methods of cancer treatment and, in particular, methods enhancing the efficacy of the treatment of cancers characterized by aberrant Wnt signaling by administration of retinoic acid or other retinoids.
Claims66
A method for the selective enhancement of the expression of a protein in a tumor cell characterized by aberrant Wnt signaling comprising treating said tumor cell with an effective amount of a retinoid.
A method for the treatment of a tumor characterized by aberrant Wnt signaling comprising treating said tumor with an effective amount of a combination of a retinoid and an anti-tumor agent, wherein said anti-tumor agent targets a protein in said tumor the expression of which is enhanced by retinoid treatment.
A method for identifying a gene target for tumor treatment comprising:
- (a) contacting a cell expressing a Wnt proto-oncogene with a retinoid;
- (b) determining the gene expression profile of said cell;
- and
- (c) identifying a gene the expression of which is enhanced by said retinoid treatment relative to its expression in a corresponding untreated cell, as a target for tumor treatment.
A method for the treatment of a tumor in a mammalian subject comprising the steps of:
- (a) incubating a sample of said tumor with a retinoid;
- (b) determining the gene expression profile of said sample prior to and following said incubation;
- (c) identifying a gene the expression of which is enhanced by said retionid;
- and
- (d) treating said patient with a combination of a retinoid and an anti-tumor agent targeting said gene.
A method for diagnosing a cancer characterized by aberrant Wnt signaling in a mammalian subject comprising
- (a) contacting a biological sample obtained from said patient with retinoic acid;
- (b) detecting the gene expression profile is said biological sample;
- and
- (c) detecting a tumor antigen the expression of which is enhanced by said retinoid treatment.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- a container;
- an anti-tumor agent within said container;
- and
- instructions to administer said anti-tumor agent in combination with a retinoid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.