Methods to diagnose and immunize against the virus causing human Merkel cell carcinoma
AssigneesUniversity of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsPatrick S. Moore, Yuan Chang, Huichen Feng, Christopher Brian Buck, Diana V. Pastrana
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Abstract
The present invention provides isolated or substantially purified polypeptides, nucleic acids, and virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from a Merkel cell carcinoma virus (MCV), which is a newly-discovered virus. The invention further provides monoclonal antibody molecules that bind to MCV polypeptides. The invention further provides diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic methods relating to the identification, prevention, and treatment of MCV-related diseases.
Claims25
A method of assaying for Merkel cell carcinoma virus (MCV) exposure in a patient, the method comprising:
- obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from the patient, and assaying the sample for the presence of at least one MCV molecule,
- wherein the assaying comprises a process of exposing the sample to an agent that binds to at least one MCV molecule, and
- wherein at least one MCV molecule is selected from the group of MCV molecules consisting of (a) an MCV nucleic acid (b) an MCV polypeptide, and (c) an antibody that binds specifically to an MCV polypeptide,
- wherein a positive test for the presence of the MCV molecule within the sample is indicative of exposure of the patient to MCV.
A method of assaying for MCV neutralization, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining MCV VLPs that contain a reporter construct,
- (b) exposing the VLPs to a sample to produce a preparation,
- (c) exposing the preparation to cells amenable to infection by MCV, and
- (d) assaying for the expression of the reporter within the cells,
- wherein a lower level of expression of the reporter in the cells relative to a control indicates the presence of a neutralizing factor within the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.