Use of the tas1r3 protein as a marker for therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or prognostic purposes for tumors that express said protein

A method for the in vitro diagnosis of tumor presence, neoplasia or metastatic presence in a patient, the method comprising:

• a) providing at least one biological sample isolated from the patient, and determining the level of expression of TAS1R3 in the cells of said biological sample, and
• c) comparing said level of expression with the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample of a healthy individual, or of a part of a healthy organ or tissue or biological sample without tumor presence, or with a reference value,
• wherein an increased level of expression compared to the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample of a healthy individual, or of a part of a healthy organ or tissue or biological sample without tumor presence, or with a reference value, is indicative of tumor presence, neoplasia or metastatic presence in a patient.

A method for the in vitro prognosis of the clinical course of a patient who suffers from tumor presence, neoplasia or metastatic presence in a patient, the method comprising:

• a) providing at least one biological sample isolated from the patient, and determining the expression of TAS1R3 in the cells of said biological sample, and
• c) comparing said level of expression with the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample from the same patient obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value,
• wherein an increased level of expression compared to the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in the biological sample obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value, is indicative of a negative clinical evolution of the patient.

A method for the in vitro monitoring of the clinical course of a patient suffering from tumor presence, neoplastic or metastatic presence, the method comprising:

• a) providing at least one biological sample isolated from the patient, and determining the expression of TAS1R3 in the cells of said biological sample, and
• c) comparing said level of expression with the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample from the same patient obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value,
• wherein an increased level of expression compared to the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample from the same patient obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value, is indicative of a negative clinical evolution of the patient.

A method for monitoring the response to treatment of a patient suffering from tumor presence, neoplastic or metastatic presence, the method comprising:

• a) providing at least one biological sample isolated from the patient, and determining the expression of TAS1R3 in the cells of said biological sample, and
• c) comparing said level of expression with the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample from the same patient obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value,
• wherein an increased level of expression compared to the level of expression of the TAS1R3 receptor in a biological sample from the same patient obtained at a time earlier from the time in which the biological sample of part a) was obtained, or with a reference value, is indicative of lack of response to treatment.

A method of directing therapies against tumor cells, the method comprising administering ligands of a cellular membrane receptor TAS1R3 to a patient in need thereof wherein the ligands of a cellular membrane receptor TAS1R3 are in the form of conjugates or immunotoxins.

A method of in vivo tumor diagnosis, the method comprising administering ligands of a cellular membrane receptor TAS1R3 to a subject, wherein the ligands of a cellular membrane receptor TAS1R3 are in the form of conjugates with radiopharmaceuticals.

A method for tumor therapy or tumor identification, comprising administering to a subject a conjugate that comprises:

• a) a specific target agent capable of interacting or binding the TAS1R3 receptor, and,
• b) a cytotoxic agent, a radioisotope, a nanostructure or a nanoemulsion.

A conjugate that comprises:

• a) a specific target agent selected from the list consisting of:
• brazzein and lactisole, and
• b) a cytotoxic agent, a radioisotope, a nanostructure or a nanoemulsion.