Use of DKK-1 protein in the cancer diagnosis

A method to detect cancer in a subject, wherein the cancer is selected from liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and glioma, comprising:

• applying to a cell or tissue sample obtained from a subject an anti-DKK-1 specific antibody or a DKK-1 protein specific nucleic acid probe, wherein the anti-DKK-1 specific antibody binds to DKK-1 protein, wherein the DKK-1 protein specific nucleic acid probe binds to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein, and wherein each of the DKK-1 protein and the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein is a molecular marker for the cancer;
• measuring an amount of the DKK-1 protein or the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein by measuring an amount of a first signal generated by a first labeling substance that is conjugated to the anti-DKK-1 specific antibody or an amount of a second signal generated by a second labeling substance that is conjugated to the DKK-1 protein specific nucleic acid probe;
• and
• comparing the amount of the DKK-1 protein or the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein in the cell or tissue sample with an amount of the DKK-1 protein or the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein in a normal control, wherein an increase in the amount of the DKK-1 protein or the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein in the cell or tissue sample as compared to the amount of the DKK-1 protein or the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the DKK-1 protein in the normal control indicates that the subject has the cancer.