Role of FGF-20 in cancer diagnosis and treatment
AssigneeCold Spring Harbor Laboratory
InventorsScott Powers, Lars Zender, Rebecca A. Kohnz, Scott W. Lowe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides methods for diagnosing cancers in humans by detecting DNA amplifications in chromosomal region 8p22, which encompasses the FGF-20 gene and the EFHA2 gene. Also provided are cancer treatment methods using inhibitors of FGF-20 and EFHA2. The invention also provides methods for promoting successful regeneration of liver function. These methods can be used therapeutically to improve liver function following transplantation in both recipient and donor subjects.
Claims20
A method of diagnosing cancer in a human patient, comprising:
- providing a DNA sample from a tissue of the patient, and
- detecting, in said DNA sample, amplification of a nucleic acid sequence in chromosomal region 8p22, wherein said amplification indicates that the patient has, or is susceptible of developing, cancer in said tissue.
A method of selecting a human cancer patient for treatment with an inhibitor of FGF-20 or EFHA2, comprising:
- providing a DNA sample from the cancer tissue of the patient, and
- detecting, in said DNA sample, amplification of a nucleic acid sequence in chromosomal region 8p22, wherein said amplification indicates that the patient will be responsive to said treatment.
A method of inhibiting the growth of a basal subtype breast cancer cell, comprising contacting the cell with an anti-FGF-20 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, or a siRNA against FGF-20.
A method of inhibiting the growth of a basal subtype breast cancer cell, comprising contacting the cell with an antisense nucleic acid that inhibits the expression of FGF-20.
A mouse at least some of whose cells comprise a genome comprising a heterologous nucleic acid sequence comprising a EFHA2 coding sequence and an expression control sequence linked operatively thereto, wherein the mouse has cancer, or is more susceptible of developing cancer as compared to a control mouse not having said heterologous nucleic acid sequence.
A method of promoting regeneration of the liver in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising FGF-20 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method of ameliorating a symptom associated with a liver transplant comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising FGF-20 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method of improving liver function in a liver transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient FGF-20 to enhance the replication of mature liver cells.
A method of improving liver function in a liver transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient FGF-20 to enhance the replication of hepatocytes surrounding the liver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.