4 results about "Neoplasm" patented technology

Antibodies which specifically bind to components of the DNA synthesome which are altered in malignant cells are disclosed. These antibodies can be used, inter alia, to diagnose, prognoses, and treat malignancy and in assays to screen cells, tissues, and body fluids for the presence of a malignant phenotype. These antibodies can be further used to identify test compounds having the ability to suppress the malignant phenotype in a cell by assaying for the ability to inhibit or block the function of an altered component of the DNA synthesome associated with the malignant phenotype. Further, disclosed herein are methods and kit for minimally invasively detecting the presence of neoplasms and malignant conditions using easily obtainable body fluids, such as blood, plasma, lymph, pleural fluid, spinal fluid, saliva, sputum, urine, and semen, for example, to both detect the presence of cancer as well as assess the stage of the disease and the prognosis of the patient. By detecting the presence of an altered form of a component of the DNA synthesome in body fluid, one can diagnose and prognose malignancy. The disclosed method and kit therefor can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for malignancy as well as a means of monitoring the progress and effectiveness of therapeutics.

GPR174 is an orphan receptor that has been implicated in cancer, nervous system diseases and disorders and neuroregeneration. We have identified inhibitors of GPR174 and have identified the G-protein signaling pathways that GPR174 modulates. Based on this discovery, the present invention features methods for inhibiting GPR174 activity and thereby stimulating an immune response in a subject in need thereof, particularly in the use of treatment of non-malignant neoplasms, malignant neoplasms (i.e., cancer), nervous system diseases and disorders and neuroregeneration, as well as related compositions.

To help reveal the pathogenesis of these lesions, we purified the DNA from Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) cyst fluids from 19 patients and searched for mutations in 169 genes commonly altered in human cancers. We identified recurrent mutations at codon 201 of GNAS. We found that GNAS mutations were present in 66% of IPMNs and that either KRAS or GNAS mutations could be identified in 96%. In eight cases, we could investigate invasive adenocarcinomas that developed in association with IPMNs containing GNAS mutations. In seven of these eight cases, the GNAS mutations present in the IPMNs were also found in the invasive lesion. GNAS mutations were not found in other types of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas or in invasive adenocarcinomas not associated with IPMNs. These data suggest that GNAS mutations can inform the diagnosis and management of patients with cystic pancreatic lesions.