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Case Western Reserve University

Medical College of Ohio

James K Willson

Sanford D Markowitz

Michael G Brattain

Marshall Eskridge

This invention is based on the discovery that the type II TGF-.beta. receptor (RII) is a cancer suppressor gene which is genetically inactivated (mutated) in approximately 25% of colon cancers, including nearly all colon cancers of the class identified as mutator/microsatellite instability/RER. Methods are provided for detecting inactivation of RII for use in cancer diagnosis or prognosis.

Cancer diagnosis prognosis and therapy based on mutation of receptors

A guide wire capable of being adjusted to provide variable stiffness for catheterizing arterial branches comprises an elongated helical wire coil with a plurality of core wires contained within and joined to the outer wire coil at their distal ends; at their proximal ends there is a handle having two elements which are movable relative to each other connected respectively to the inner core wires and to the wire coil to vary the extent to which the coil may be flexed, by tensioning the core wires and limiting the longitudinal expansion of the coil.

Variable stiffness guide wire

An instrument for use in catheterization of small distal branch arteries includes a guide wire having a short flexible distal section connected with a relatively long, multi-wire, axial and rotary torque transmitting section to guide a soft, thin-walled, flexible catheter through the compound curves involved in the junctions between various arterial branches. A method for catheterization of blood vessels includes the steps of sequentially advancing the catheter and guide wire to negotiate these compound turns in the arterial system.

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Mobile, AL, United States of America

James K Willson