Method and probe set for detecting cancer

Abstract

Methods for detecting cancer that include hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to a biological sample obtained from a patient, and identifying if aneusomic cells are present in a selected subset of cells obtained from the biological sample are described. A set of chromosomal probes and kits for detecting cancer that include sets of chromosomal probes, are also described.

1 . A method of screening for cancer in a subject comprising:
 (a) hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to a biological sample from said subject;   (b) selecting cells from said biological sample;   (c) determining the presence or absence of aneusomic cells in said selected cells;   (d) correlating presence of aneusomic cells in the selected cells with cancer in said subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, sputum, peritoneal fluid, bladder washings, oral washings, tissue samples, touch preps, and fine-needle aspirates. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is concentrated. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is urine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of bladder cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, renal cancer, and leukemia. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cancer is bladder cancer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chromosomal probes are fluorescently labeled. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said set comprises at least three chromosomal probes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said set comprises at least one centromeric probe. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said set further comprises at least one locus specific probe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said centromeric chromosomal probes are selected from the group consisting of chromosomal probes 3, 7, 8, 11, 15, 17, 18, and Y. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said locus specific probe is 9p21. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said set comprises chromosomal probes 3, 7, and 17. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said set further comprises locus specific probe 9p21. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cells are selected by nuclear morphology. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cells are selected by nuclear size. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cells are selected by shape of nucleus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein nuclear morphology is assessed by DAPI staining. 
     
     
         19 . A set of chromosomal probes, said set comprising centromeric probes to chromosomes 3, 7, and 17. 
     
     
         20 . The set of chromosomal probes of  claim 19 , said set further comprising a locus-specific probe. 
     
     
         21 . The set of chromosomal probes of  claim 20 , wherein said locus-specific probe is 9p21. 
     
     
         22 . A kit for detecting cancer, said kit comprising a set of chromosomal probes, wherein said set comprises centromeric probes to chromosomes 3, 7, and 17. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , said kit further comprising a locus-specific probe. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 23 , wherein said locus-specific probe is 9p21. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein said chromosomal probes are fluorescently labeled.