Methods for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
InventorsTimothy J. O'Brien, Martin J. Cannon, Alessandro Santin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed nucleic acid primer sets, used in combination with quantitative amplification (PCR) of tissue cDNA, can indicate the presence of specific proteases in a tissue sample. Specifically, the present invention relates to expression of hepsin protease. The detected proteases are themselves specifically over-expressed in certain cancers, and the presence of their genetic precursors may serve for early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and for the design of interactive therapies for cancer treatment.
Claims41
A method for detecting malignant hyperplasia in a biological sample, comprising the steps of:
- (a) isolating mRNA from said sample;
- and
- (b) detecting hepsin mRNA in said sample, wherein the presence of said hepsin mRNA in said sample is indicative of the presence of malignant hyperplasia, wherein the absence of said hepsin mRNA in said sample is indicative of the absence of malignant hyperplasia.
A method of inhibiting expression of endogenous hepsin in a cell, comprising the step of:
- introducing into said cell a vector comprising a hepsin gene operably linked in opposite orientation to elements necessary for expression, wherein expression of said vector in said cell produces hepsin antisense mRNA that hybridizes to endogenous hepsin mRNA, thereby inhibiting expression of endogenous hepsin in said cell.
A method of inhibiting hepsin protein in a cell, comprising the step of:
- introducing into said cell an antibody which is specific for a hepsin protein or a fragment thereof, wherein binding of said antibody to said hepsin protein or a fragment thereof inhibits hepsin protein in said cell.
A method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of:
- administering a compound to an individual, wherein said compound has a therapeutic moiety and a targeting moiety specific for hepsin.
A method of vaccinating an individual against hepsin, comprising the step of:
- inoculating an individual with an expression vector encoding a hepsin protein or fragment thereof, wherein expression of said hepsin protein or fragment thereof elicits an immune response in said individual, thereby vaccinating said individual against hepsin.
A method of producing immune-activated cells directed toward hepsin, comprising the steps of:
- exposing immune cells to a hepsin protein or fragment thereof, wherein said exposure to said hepsin protein or fragment thereof activates said immune cells, thereby producing immune-activated cells directed toward hepsin.
A method of immunotherapy targeted toward hepsin in an individual, comprising the steps of:
- a) isolating dendritic cells from said individual;
- b) expressing or introducing a hepsin protein or fragment thereof in said dendritic cells;
- and
- c) transferring said dendritic cells back to said individual, wherein said dendritic cells would activate hepsin-specific immune responses in said individual, thereby generating immunotherapy targeted toward hepsin in said individual.
A method of immunotherapy targeted toward hepsin in an individual, comprising the steps of:
- a) isolating dendritic cells from said individual;
- b) expressing or introducing a hepsin protein or fragment thereof in said dendritic cells;
- c) exposing immune cells comprising T cells isolated from said individual to said dendritic cells, wherein said dendritic cells would generate hepsin-specific T cells from said immune cells;
- and
- c) transferring said immune cells back to said individual, wherein said immune cells would activate hepsin-specific immune responses in said individual, thereby generating immunotherapy targeted toward hepsin in said individual.
An immunogenic composition, comprising (i) a full length hepsin protein or a fragment of a hepsin protein and (ii) an appropriate adjuvant.
An oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to SEQ ID No.188.
A method of screening for compounds that inhibit hepsin activity, comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting a sample comprising hepsin protein with a compound;
- and
- (b) assaying for hepsin protease activity, wherein a decrease in said hepsin protease activity in the presence of said compound relative to hepsin protease activity in the absence of said compound indicates said compound inhibits hepsin activity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.