St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd

Qing Cheng

William Edward Evans

Kam Man Hui

Mary Relling

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) associated with reduced GGH activity are disclosed. The primary SNP is a change from a cytosine to a thymine at a position corresponding to nucleotide 511 of Genbank sequence accession no. NM 003878. Methods and kits for detecting these SNPs are provided, along with primers useful in detecting these SNP and for amplifying portions of the GGH gene containing these SNPs.

Genotyping assay to predict gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) activity

The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences exhibiting differential expression patterns in cancer tissue relative to normal tissue. The identification of differentially expressed genetic sequences permits their use as molecular markers for cancer, as early indicators of cancer progression and/or as predictive markers for a propensity or likelihood of a cancer to develop. The present invention relates particularly to genetic sequences exhibiting expression patterns up-regulated in cervical cells or associated with pre-, early- or late-onset cervical cancer relative to normal cervical cells. The genetic sequences of the present invention provide markers for early- or late-onset cervical cancer and/or a cancer related to cervical cancer. The markers of the present invention further provide potential targets for the development of therapeutic protocols for the treatment or prophylaxis of cervical or related cancer. Such therapeutic protocols are directed to inhibiting expression of the marker or inhibiting the expression product of the marker. The present invention is further directed to a method for identifying molecular markers which are useful indicators of cervical cancer and/or its progression.

Growing community of inventors

Memphis, TN, United States of America

Qing Cheng