Oncotherapy Science, Incorporated

Yataro Daigo

Shuichi Nakatsuru

Yusuke Nakamura

Takuya Tsunoda

Hideaki Tahara

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

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 provided methods for treating lung cancers using therapeutic agents for lung cancers comprising erbB receptor inhibitors as active ingredients. Methods for examining the responsiveness of lung cancer patients to erbB receptor inhibitors by using blood amphiregulin (AREG) as an indicator were provided. Furthermore, methods for treating lung cancers in which responsiveness to an erbB receptor inhibitor is determined based on blood AREG concentration, and in which therapeutic agents are selectively administered to patients expected to be responsive, were also provided. Advanced therapeutic effects can be expected by administering an erbB receptor inhibitor to patients predicted to be responsive. The present invention contributes to the improvement of therapeutic effects of gefitinib (Product name: Iressa&#xae;) and such on lung cancers.

Methods for treating lung cancers

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 and 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.

The present invention provides the method of predicting an non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis.

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Disclosed are methods for detecting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using differentially expressed genes KIF11, GHSR1b, NTSR1, and FOXM1. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds for treating and preventing NSCLC, based on the interaction between KOC1 and KIF11, or NMU and GHSR1b or NTSR1.

KIF11 and method for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer

The present invention is based on the observation that the co-activation of CDCA1 and KNTC2, and their cognate interactions, play significant roles in lung-cancer progression and that methods of inhibiting the complex can be used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer.

Screening and therapeutic method for NSCLC targeting CDCA1-KNTC2 complex

The present invention features a method for determining t-RNA dihydrouridine-synthase activity of a polypeptide and screening for modulators of t-RNA dihydrouridine-synthase activity. The present invention further provides methods or pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using such modulators. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the t-RNA dihydrouridine-synthase activity of IMS-E21 (URLC8) protein as an index. The present invention further provides methods for predicting and prognosing lung squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC).

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Yataro Daigo