Methods for determining the prognosis for cancer patients using tucan

A method of determining a prognosis for survival for a cancer patient, comprising:

• (a) measuring levels of TUCAN and one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of cIAP2, Apaf1, Bcl-2 and Smac in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from said cancer patient, and
• (b) comparing the level of TUCAN and the one or more selected biomarkers in said sample to a reference level of TUCAN and said one more selected biomarkers, wherein a low level of TUCAN and a high level of any of Apaf1, Bcl-2 or Smac, or a low level of TUCAN and a low level of cIAP2, in said sample correlate with increased survival of said patient.

A method for monitoring the effectiveness of a course of treatment for a patient with cancer, comprising:

• (a) determining a level of a TUCAN in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from a cancer patient prior to treatment, and
• (b) determining the level of TUCAN in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from said patient after treatment, whereby comparison of said TUCAN level prior to treatment with the TUCAN level after treatment indicates the effectiveness of said treatment.

A method of determining a prognosis for survival for a cancer patient, comprising:

• (a) measuring a level of TUCAN in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from said cancer patient, and
• (b) classifying said patient as belonging to either a first or second group of patients, wherein said first group of patients having low levels of TUCAN is classified as having an increased likelihood of survival compared to said second group of patients having high levels of TUCAN.