Tumor marker protein and antibodies thereto for cancer risk assessment or diagnosis

Abstract

A tumor-associated marker protein was purified and antibodies thereto developed for cancer diagnosis and assessment of cancer risk associated with the long-term use of synthetic steroid hormones, both contraceptive and non-contraceptive, and other drugs that exhibit tumor promotional properties. The marker protein and antibodies thereto provided are interspecies immunologically cross-reactive. In summary, the marker p65 tumor-associated factor of the present invention has the following characteristics: (a) binds substantially completely to a phenyl hydrophobic interaction column in a buffer containing 20% ammonium sulfate and eluted at ca. 16% ammonium sulfate; (b) localized primarily in the nuclear envelopes with only small amounts present in the cytoplasm from where is released to the blood circulation in vivo or cell culture medium in vitro; (c) induced in normal, adult tissues by chemical carcinogens (initiators) but not by tumor promoters, the carcinogen-induced production being enhanced by the latter. Also disclosed herein are processes for purifying the 65 kDa tumor marker from plasma, tumor cytosol or ascitic fluid of carcinoma bearing animals; processes for producing antisera and purified antibody preparations to the 65 kDa tumor marker; and methods using antibody to the 65 kDa to diagnose or assess the likelihood of cancer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.