Tumor markers in ovarian cancer

Abstract

The present invention features methods of diagnosing and prognosticating ovarian tumors by detecting increased expression of an ovarian tumor marker gene in a subject or in a sample from a subject. Also featured are kits for the aforementioned diagnostic and prognostic methods. In addition, the invention features methods of treating and preventing ovarian tumors, and methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of ovarian tumors, by modulating the production or activity of an ovarian tumor marker polypeptide. Further featured are methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of an ovarian tumor by contacting an ovarian tumor cell with an antibody that specifically binds an ovarian tumor marker polypeptide.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating or preventing an ovarian tumor in a subject, said method comprising modulating production or activity of a polypeptide encoded by an ovarian tumor marker gene in an ovarian epithelial cell in said subject. 
     
     
         15 . A method of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of an ovarian tumor cell in a subject, said method comprising modulating production or activity of a polypeptide encoded by an ovarian tumor marker gene in said ovarian tumor cell in said subject. 
     
     
         16 . A method of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of an ovarian tumor in a subject, said method comprising contacting an ovarian tumor cell with an antibody that specifically binds an ovarian tumor marker polypeptide encoded by an ovarian tumor marker gene, wherein the binding of said antibody to said ovarian tumor marker polypeptide inhibits the growth or metastasis of said ovarian tumor in said subject. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said ovarian tumor marker polypeptide is on the surface of said ovarian tumor cell. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody is coupled to a radioisotope or a toxic compound. 
     
     
         19 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 ,  15 , or  16 , wherein said ovarian tumor marker gene is claudin 3. 
     
     
         24 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 ,  15 , or  16 , wherein said ovarian tumor is an epithelial ovarian tumor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said epithelial ovarian tumor is selected from the group consisting of a serous cystadenoma, a borderline serous tumor, a serous cystadenocarcinoma, a mucinous cystadenoma, a borderline mucinous tumor, a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, an endometrioid carcinoma, an undifferentiated carcinoma, a clear cell adenocarcinoma, a cystadenofibroma, an adenofibroma, and a Brenner tumor. 
     
     
         30 - 37 . (canceled)