Specific mucin expression as a marker for pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Methods are provided for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

1 . A method for detecting MUC4 protein in a biological sample as a pancreatic tumor marker, said method comprising: 
 a) contacting said biological sample with an antibody or fragment thereof having binding affinity for MUC4, such that MUC4-antibody complexes form if MUC4 is present; and    b) isolating said MUC4-antibody complex if present.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said antibody comprises a detectable label.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said detectable label is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, biotin, and strepavidin.  
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is detected by a method selected from the group consisting of flow cytometric analysis, immunochemical detection and immunoblot analysis.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or fragment is in solution.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said antibody or antibody fragment is immobilized on a solid support.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of filter paper, multiwell dishes, microchips, and derivatized magnetic particles.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of pancreatic cancer cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphatic cells, tumor cells and non-malignant cells.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said biological sample comprises peripheral blood mononuclear cells.  
     
     
         10 . A kit for detecting MUC4 in a biological sample, said kit comprising: 
 a) an antibody or fragment thereof having binding affinity for MUC4;    b) a detectable label for said antibody; and    c) reagents suitable for detecting MUC4-antibody immunocomplexes, if present in said biological sample.    
     
     
         11 . The kit as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is in solution.  
     
     
         12 . The kit as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said antibody is immobilized on a solid support.  
     
     
         13 . The kit as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of filter paper, multiwell dishes, microchips, and derivatized magnetic particles.  
     
     
         14 . The kit as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said detectable label is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, biotin, and strepavidin.  
     
     
         15 . The kit as claimed in  claim 10 , optionally comprising reagents suitable for flow cytometric analysis, immunochemical detection and immunoblot analysis.