Podxl protein in colorectal cancer

Method for determining whether a mammalian subject having a colorectal cancer belongs to a first or a second group, wherein the prognosis of subjects of the first group is better than the prognosis of subjects of the second group, comprising the steps of:

• a) evaluating an amount of PODXL protein in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject, and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing said sample value from step a) with a predetermined reference value;
• and
• if said sample value is higher than said reference value,
• c1) concluding that the subject belongs to said second group;
• and
• if said sample value is lower than or equal to said reference value,
• c2) concluding that the subject belongs to said first group.

Non-treatment strategy method for a subject having a colorectal cancer, comprising:

• a) evaluating an amount of PODXL protein present in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject, and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing the sample value obtained in step a) with a reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is lower than or equal to said reference value,
• c) refraining from treating said subject with a colorectal cancer treatment regimen.

Kit for establishing a prognosis of colorectal cancer, which comprises

• a) a quantifiable affinity ligand capable of selective interaction with a PODXL protein;
• b) reagents necessary for quantifying the amount of the quantifiable affinity ligand of a);
• c) a quantifiable affinity ligand capable of selective interaction with a COX-2 protein;
• and
• d) reagents necessary for quantifying the amount of the quantifiable affinity ligand of c),
• wherein the reagents of b) and d) are the same or different.