Antibodies to MAGMAS and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to isolated and purified Magmas protein, isolated and purified nucleic acids encoding Magmas protein, and antibodies to Magmas protein, which interacts with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). More specifically, the invention relates to uses of such anti-Magmas antibodies. The invention further relates to a method for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases, particularly, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and mitochondrial diseases using Magmas sequences and antibodies directed against the Magmas protein or fragments thereof.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of detecting cancer comprising the steps of: a) providing a biological sample from an individual suspected of having cancer; b) analyzing the Magmas protein expression in the sample; and c) comparing the expression of Magmas protein in the sample against a normal control, wherein increased expression of the Magmas protein in the sample indicates that the individual is at increased risk for cancer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cancer is prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, Ewings sarcoma, osteosarcoma or leukemia. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the leukemia is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cancer is prostate cancer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein analyzing the Magmas protein expression is performed using an anti-Magmas antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the measuring is performed in vivo by injecting a Magmas protein recognizing antibody connected to a detectable label into the individual. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating an individual affected with cancer comprising the steps of administering a therapeutic Magmas blocking amount of a compound that interacts with Magmas such as a Magmas antibody in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to an individual having cancer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cancer is prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, Ewings sarcoma, osteosarcoma or leukemia. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  where the compound is antisense RNA, ribozymes, RNA decoys, antibodies, or dominant-negative mutants. 
     
     
         20 . A Diagnostic kit for Western blotting or immunohistochemistry to detect the presence of cells expressing Magmas and to quantity the level of expression, containing immunoglobulin specific for human MAGMAS.