Oncotherapy Science, Incorporated

Shuichi Nakatsuru

Yusuke Nakamura

Toyomasa Katagiri

Yataro Daigo

Takuya Tsunoda

Hideaki Tahara

Yasuharu Nishimura

Yoichi Furukawa

Yoshiaki Ikuta

Hidewaki Nakagawa

Masabumi Shibuya

Ryuji Hamamoto

Motoki Kuhara

Keigo Endo

Megumi Yoshikawa

Kasumi Yagi

Takashi Iwamoto

Shinichi Hiroshima

Yoshiro Kishi

Shiyo Nishida

Midori Shinohara

The present application provides novel human genes A7322, whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancer. The present application also provides human genes F3374 whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancer. These genes and polypeptides encoded thereby can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of breast cancer, and as target molecules for developing drugs against breast cancer. The invention features methods of screening for modulators of the kinase activity of PBK/TOPK. The invention further provides methods of screening for agents to prevent or treat cancer, such as breast cancer.

Genes and polypeptides relating to breast cancers

The present invention relates to an antibody or a fragment thereof which is capable of binding to a Frizzled homologue 10 (FZD10) protein, such as a mouse monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody and a humanized antibody. Also, the present invention relates to a method for treating and/or preventing FZD10-associated disease; a method for diagnosis or prognosis of FZD10-associated disease; and a method for in vivo imaging of FZD10 in a subject.

Tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies to FZD10 and uses thereof

It is an objective of the present invention to identify SPARC protein-derived peptides that are able to induce human killer T cells and helper T cells having cytotoxic activity to tumors, and to provide a means for carrying out a tumor immunotherapy of patients with various types of cancers overexpressing SPARC. The present invention provides a peptide of any of the following:

SPARC-derived tumor rejection antigenic peptides and medicaments comprising the same

The present application provides novel human gene B7330N whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancers. The gene and polypeptide encoded by the gene can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of breast cancers, as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease, and for attenuating cell growth of breast cancer.

Gene and polypeptide relating to breast cancer

In order to identify the molecules involved in esophageal carcinogenesis and those to be useful for diagnostic markers as well as targets for new drugs and immunotherapy, a cDNA microarray representing 32,256 genes was constructed to analyze the expression profiles of 19 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas (ESCCS) purified by laser-capture microdissection. A detailed genome-wide database for sets of genes that are significantly up- or down-regulated in esophageal cancer is disclosed herein. These genes find use in the development of therapeutic drugs or immunotherapy as well as tumor markers. Additionally, genes associated with lymph-node metastasis and post-surgery recurrence are disclosed herein. Among the candidate molecular target genes, ECT2, CDC45L and DKK1 are further characterized. Treatment of ESCC cells with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of ECT2 or CDC45L suppressed growth of the cancer cells. Thus, the data herein provide valuable information for identifying diagnostic systems and therapeutic target molecules for esophageal cancer.

Method of diagnosing esophageal cancer

Described herein are antibodies and antibody fragments capable of treating or preventing cancers associated with the over-expression and/or up-regulation of DKK1. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing cancer using the antibody and methods and kits utilized to diagnosing cancer. The herein described products and methods find utility in the context of a variety of cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, bile duct cancer, lung cancer and esophageal cancer.

DKK1 oncogene as therapeutic target for cancer and a diagnosing marker

Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing bladder cancer (BLC) are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BLC-associated gene that discriminates between BLC cells and normal cells. The present invention further provides means for predicting and preventing bladder cancer metastasis using BLC-associated genes having unique altered expression patterns in bladder cancer cells with lymph-node metastasis. The present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of bladder cancer, methods of treating bladder cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against bladder cancer. Specifically, the present application provides novel human genes C2093, B5860Ns and C6055s whose expression is markedly elevated in bladder cancers. The genes and polypeptides encoded by the genes can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of bladder cancers, as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease, and for attenuating cell growth of bladder cancer.

Method of screening compounds for treating bladder cancer

The present invention provides immunogenic peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 13, 32, and peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility, and also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.

Epitope peptides derived from vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 and vaccines containing these peptides

The present invention provides peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, 67, 89, as well as peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of the present invention can also be used as vaccines.

Peptide vaccines for lung cancers expressing TTK, URLC10 or KOC1 polypeptides

The present invention relates to methods for determining the methyltransferase activity of a polypeptide and screening for modulators of methyltransferase activity, more particularly for modulators of the methylation of VEGFR1 by SMYD3. The invention further provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, bladder cancer and/or breast cancer using a modulator so identified.

Methods of identifying agents that modulate methylation of VEGFR1 by SMYD3

The present invention provides methods for detecting and diagnosing cancer, which method involves the determination of the expression level of the STYK1 gene. The gene was discovered to discriminate cancer cells from normal cells. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of cancer, methods for treating cancer, and methods for vaccinating a subject against cancer. Moreover, the present invention provides siRNAs targeting the STYK1 gene, which are suggested to be useful in the treatment of cancer.

Growing community of inventors

Kawasaki, Japan

Shuichi Nakatsuru