Soluble mic polypeptides as markers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases or conditions

-30. (canceled)

(canceled)

-36. (canceled)

-43. (canceled)

-54. (canceled)

The method of claim 54, wherein the label is a ligand.

-64. (canceled)

A method of diagnosing or prognosing an autoimmune disease or condition in a patient comprising:

• (a) identifying a patient suspected of having an autoimmune disease or condition;
• and,
• (b) assaying for a soluble MIC polypeptide in a sample from the patient, wherein identification of a soluble MIC polypeptide in the sample indicates an autoimmune disease or condition.

(canceled)

A method of screening for candidate therapeutic agents for an autoimmune disease comprising:

• (a) contacting a MIC polypeptide with an NKG2D receptor polypeptide in the (i) presence and (ii) absence of a candidate substance;
• (b) assaying for binding between the MIC polypeptide and the NKG2D receptor in (i) and (ii), wherein a reduction of binding in (i) compared to (ii) is indicative of a candidate therapeutic agent for an autoimmune disease.

(canceled)