Chiron Corporation

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Gmbh

Hong Xin

Klaus Giese

Joerg Kaufmann

Greg Harrowe

Giulia C Kennedy

Christoph Reinhard

Anne B Jefferson

Vivien W Chan

Venkatakrishna Shyamala

Hamiduddin Khoja

The present invention provides polynucleotides, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby, that are differentially expressed in cancer cells. These polynucleotides are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing growth of cancer cells. These methods are useful for treating cancer.

HX2004-6 polypeptide expressed in cancerous cells

Gene sequences as shown in SEQ ID NO:1-18 have been discovered and isolated, and found to be significantly associated with metastatic spread of breast and colon cancer cells to other organs. Methods are provided for determining the risk of metastasis of a breast or colon tumor, which involve determining whether a tissue sample from a tumor expresses a polypeptide encoded by a gene as shown in SEQ ID NOS:1-18, or a substantial portion thereof. One of the gene sequences encodes a novel aspartyl protease termed CSP56, which can be used to provide reagents and methods for determining which tumors are likely to metastasize and for suppressing metastases of these tumors. Clinicians can use this information to predict which tumors will metastasize to other organs and to provide relevant therapies to appropriate patients.

Metastatic breast and colon cancer regulated genes

The invention features methods for detection of metastatic and potentially metastatic cancerous cells by detection of expression of a gland-specific Ets transcription factor (GSEF) sequence, which encodes an Ets-domain containing protein. The invention also features methods and compositions for modulation of the polypeptide and/or gene activity for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as inhibition of progression of a cell to a metastatic cancerous cell.

Methods for determining metastatic potential of breast cancer cells by detecting GSEF gene product expression

Growing community of inventors

Emeryville, CA, United States of America

Hong Xin