Methods of determining β-III tubulin expression
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorMilton L. Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are methods of determining the quantity and location of βIII-tubulin expression in a subject, which may be used to determine the location and/or extent of excessive or uncontrolled growth of cells such as tumors. Such methods may include administering at least one compound to a patient and determining the quantity and location of βIII tubulin expression within the patient by visualizing the compound within the patient. Visualization of the compound may be indicative of the binding of the compound to cells that are actively expressing βIII tubulin.
Claims15
A method of detecting the presence of βIII tubulin in a specific tissue, said method comprising:
- a) administering a compound having the following formula (I) to a patient:
- wherein R1, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of NO2, H, halo, C1-C4 alkyl;
- C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C5-C7 aryl, mono-, di- or tri-chloro, and mono-, di- or tri-methyl;
- R2 is H;
- X is NH;
- and
- Z is selected from the group consisting of a bond and CO;
- and
- b) waiting a predetermined length of time after said administration of said compound;
- and
- c) detecting said compound, wherein said detection after said predetermined length of time indicates the present of βIII tubulin in said tissue;
- wherein said specific tissue is selected from the group consisting of ocular tissue, nerve tissue, mammary tissue, brain tissue, lung tissue, prostate tissue, colon tissue, and uterine tissue;
- and wherein said detecting comprises detecting the fluorescence of said compound using an angiogram.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.