Diagnosis and treatment of cancer:I

Abstract

A method of diagnosing cancer comprising the steps of (i) obtaining a sample containing nucleic acid and/or protein from the patient; and (ii) determining whether the sample contains a level of SCN5A (and optionally also SCN9A) voltage-gated Na+ channel nucleic acid or protein associated with cancer. A method of diagnosing breast cancer comprising the steps of (i) obtaining a sample containing nucleic acid and/or protein from the patient; and (ii) determining whether the sample contains a level of voltage-gated Na+ channel nucleic acid or protein, preferably SCN5A or SCN9A, associated with cancer. A method of treating cancer comprising the step of administering to the patient an agent which selectively prevents the function of SCN5A (and optionally also SCN9A) voltage-gated Na+ channel. A method of treating breast cancer comprising the step of administering to the patient an agent which selectively prevents the function of a voltage-gated Na+ channel, preferably SCN5A or SCN9A. Genetic constructs and molecules useful in such methods. The methods and compositions are particularly suited to breast cancer.

1 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method of treating cancer including breast cancer comprising administering to the patient an agent which selectively prevents the function of a voltage-gated Na +  channel. 
     
     
         71 . A method as in  claim 70  wherein the voltage-gated Na +  channel is SCN5A. 
     
     
         72 . A method as in  claim 70  wherein the agent performs a function selected from the group consisting of preventing the expression of and inhibiting the activity of the said voltage-gated Na +  channel. 
     
     
         73 . A method as in  claim 71  wherein the agent performs a function selected from the group consisting of preventing the expression of and inhibiting the activity of the said voltage-gated Na +  channel. 
     
     
         74 . A method as in  claim 72  wherein the agent prevents the expression of the said voltage-gated Na +  channel, and wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of antisense molecules and ribozymes. 
     
     
         75 . A method as in  claim 70  wherein the agent is contained in a medicament for treating cancer. 
     
     
         76 . A method as in  claim 75  wherein the voltage-gated Na +  channel is SCN5A and wherein the agent is contained in a medicament for treating cancer. 
     
     
         77 . A method of identifying a compound which selectively inhibits a SCN5A voltage-gated Na +  channel, the method comprising:
 (a) contacting a test compound with any one of the said voltage-gated Na +  channels and determining whether said compound is inhibitory;   (b) contacting the test compound with other voltage-gated Na +  channels and determining whether said compound is inhibitory; and   (c) selecting a compound which is substantially inhibitory in (a) but is not substantially inhibitory in (b).   
     
     
         78 . A compound comprising a moiety which selectively binds SCN5A voltage-gated Na +  channel protein and a further moiety. 
     
     
         79 . A compound as in  claim 78  wherein the further moiety is selected from the group consisting of readily detectable moieties, directly or indirectly cytotoxic moieties and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         80 . A compound as in  claim 78  wherein the moiety which selectively binds the voltage-gated Na +  channel protein and the further moiety are polypeptides which are fused. 
     
     
         81 . A compound as in  claim 80  encoded by a nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         82 . A compound as in  claim 78  wherein the compound is a medicament component. 
     
     
         83 . A kit of parts selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a kit comprising:
 (1) a compound as in  claim 84  wherein the further moiety is a cytotoxic moiety which is able to convert a relatively non-toxic prodrug into a cytotoxic drug, 
 (2) a relatively non-toxic prodrug; and 
   (b) a kit comprising:
 (1) a compound comprising a moiety which selectively binds SCN5A voltage-gated Na +  channel protein and a further moiety wherein the further moiety is able to bind selectively to a directly or indirectly cytotoxic moiety or to a readily detectable moiety; and 
 (2) any one of a directly or indirectly cytotoxic moiety or a readily detectable moiety to which the further moiety of the compound is able to bind. 
   
     
     
         84 . A method of treating cancer, including breast cancer, the method comprising administering to the human patient an effective amount of a compound comprising a moiety which selectively binds a voltage-gated Na +  channel protein and a further moiety, wherein the further moiety of the compound is one which either directly or indirectly is of therapeutic benefit to the patient. 
     
     
         85 . A method of imaging cancer, including breast cancer in a human patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound comprising a moiety which selectively binds a voltage-gated Na +  channel protein and a further moiety, wherein the further moiety of the compound is one which comprises a readily detectable moiety.