Molecular Analysis of Tumor Samples
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation
InventorsRalph Weissleder, Hakho Lee, Cesar Castro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to methods for diagnosing cancer, e.g., cancer of epithelial origin, by detecting the presence of tumor cells in a sample, based (at least in some embodiments) on the quantification of levels of four biomarkers, MUC1, EGFR, EpCAM, and HER2. In some embodiments, the methods are performed using diagnostic magnetic resonance (DMR), e.g., with a portable relaxometer or MR imager.
Claims21
A method for diagnosing a tumor in a subject, the method comprising:
- obtaining a sample from the subject;
- detecting levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM in the sample;
- and
- comparing the levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM in the sample to reference levels;
- and
- diagnosing cancer in a subject who has levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM above the reference levels.
A method for detecting the presence of tumor cells in a sample, the method comprising:
- detecting levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM in the sample;
- and
- comparing the levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM in the sample to reference levels;
- wherein the presence in a sample of levels of MUC-1, HER2, EGFR, and EpCAM above the reference levels indicates the presence of tumor cells in the sample.
A kit comprising reagents for detection of tumor cells, wherein the reagents comprise a panel of antigen-binding reagents consisting of:
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to MUC1,
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to EGFR,
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to HER2, and
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to EpCAM.
A method for isolating tumor cells from a sample, the method comprising:
- providing a sample comprising or suspected of comprising tumor cells;
- contacting the sample with:
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to MUC1,
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to EGFR,
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to HER2, and
- antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to EpCAM;
- under conditions sufficient for the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof to bind to tumor cells in the sample;
- and
- removing the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that are bound to tumor cells from the sample,
- thereby isolating tumor cells from the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.