Organ Homing Genes of Cancer Metastases

Can identify the localization site of metastasisPotential for improving the prognosis of these metastatic-associated cancers.Detect the early onset of cancer and preempt the progression of metastasis,Simple method for screening cancer- Body fluids and/or tissue samples could be used.Unlike current treatment options, the technology offers a reliable method to cure metastatic cancer.Novel and specific targetsOffers therapeutic antibodies against novel and specific targets (i.e. organ-homing peptides specific to a cancer) to eradicate metastasis.Cells with the potential to metastasize could be identified concurrently with diagnosis of primary tumor.

The invention describes novel biological molecules for the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Specifically, the technology identifies novel organ-homing proteins used by cancer cells for their seeding into organs of metastasis. Primary tumors tend to metastasize to specific distant “target” organs. For example, prostate cancer often metastasize to the bone, breast cancer metastasize to the liver etc. The physiologic basis of such targeting remains unknown but it is well known that once the cancer has metastasized an individual’s chances of survival typically decreases. Thus, there is a great need to develop biomarkers that can detect subclinical metastasis or detect the risk of metastasis, treat such cancers and/or monitor disease progression or treatment. The present invention identifies a set of liver targeting domains that could be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers. Further, the invention describes antibodies against such liver targeting domains for therapeutic intervention.

USA