Alpha methylacyl a coenzyme racemase detection

Abstract

A method of detecting the presence or absence of alpha methylacyl A coenzyme racemase (AMACR) is provided. In one embodiment of the method, a fluid including a secretion chosen from at least one of a prostate secretion or a secretion from an accessory glad or a cellular component of the fluid is obtained from a subject. The fluid is contacted with a reagent for detecting AMACR under conditions such that the reagent detects AMACR in the semen. The level of AMACR is determined such as by comparing it to a standard curve. The fluid can be semen or a prostate secretion or another fluid. A kit that can be used with the method is also provided.

1 . A method of detecting the presence or absence of alpha methylacyl A coenzyme racemase (AMACR), comprising: 
 a) obtaining a fluid including a secretion chosen from at least one of a prostate secretion or a secretion from an accessory glad or a cellular component of the fluid from a subject: and    b) contacting the fluid with a reagent for detecting AMACR under conditions such that the reagent detects AMACR in the fluid.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises semen.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a prostate secretion.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of AMACR in the fluid is determined.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the level of AMACR in the fluid is determined by comparing it to a standard curve.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the presence of AMACR in the fluid at a level above an age-appropriate minimum threshold level is indicative of a diagnosis of prostate cancer or a precancerous prostate condition in the subject.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent is an antibody.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody is capable of forming a complex with the AMACR, and further comprising determining the amount of complex formed as a measure of the presence or amount of AMACR in the semen, wherein the amount of complex determined is indicative of a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a precancerous condition, or a prognosis of prostate cancer in the subject.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the amount of complex determined is indicative of a diagnosis of prostate cancer.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody comprises a label selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a fluorescence emitting metal, a chemiluminescent label, a chromophoric label, and a bioluminescent label.  
   
   
       11 . A method for diagnosing prostate cancer or a precancerous prostate condition in a subject, comprising: 
 a) providing a sample including a secretion chosen from at least one of a prostate secretion or a secretion from an accessory gland or a cellular component of the fluid from the subject;    b) detecting a level of alpha methylacyl A coenzyme racemase (AMACR) in the sample; and    c) using the level of AMACR present in the sample to determine whether the subject has prostate cancer or a precancerous prostate condition.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sample comprises semen.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sample comprises a prostate secretion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting level of AMACR comprises exposing the sample to a first antibody specific to AMACR and detecting binding of the antibody to AMACR.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the detecting the level of AMACR further comprises providing a second antibody specific to AMACR.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the detecting further comprises providing a third antibody, wherein at least one the second and third antibody includes a label.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a fluorescence emitting metal, a chemiluminescent label, a chromophoric label, and a bioluminescent label.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the subject comprises a human subject.  
   
   
       19 . A kit comprising: 
 a) a positive control that reacts with a reagent for detecting alpha methylacyl A coenzyme racemase (AMACR); and    b) a negative control that does not react with the reagent.    
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19 , further comprising a reagent capable of detecting AMACR.  
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the reagent comprises a first antibody that binds to AMACR.  
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 21 , further comprising a second antibody that detects AMACR.  
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 22 , further comprising a third antibody that binds to the second antibody.  
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the second antibody and the third antibody comprises a label.