Detecting bcl-b expression in cancer and uses thereof

Abstract

Provided herein are compositions and methods of detecting Bcl-B expression in cancer cells to prognose, monitor, or select therapies for cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or gastric cancer.

1 . A method of determining the severity of a breast cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer, comprising examining the expression of Bcl-B in one or more cells of said cancer, wherein an increase in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells or an increase in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates an increase in cancer severity. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates a higher tumor grade. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates a greater likelihood of death. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates metastasis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates a higher tumor grade. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates a greater likelihood of death. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an increase in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates metastasis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is prostate cancer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is lung cancer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the normal reference cells comprise healthy cells from the same tissue of the subject as the cancer cells. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the normal reference cells comprise non-cancerous cells of similar tissue from the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the normal reference cells comprise non-cancerous cells of similar tissue from one or more unrelated individuals. 
     
     
         14 . A method of determining the severity of a gastric cancer, comprising examining the expression of Bcl-B in one or more cells of said gastric cancer, wherein a decrease in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells or a decline in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates an increase in cancer severity. 
     
     
         15 . A method of monitoring the progression of a breast cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer, comprising examining the expression of Bcl-B in one or more cells of said cancer, wherein an increase in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells or an increase in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates an increased risk of cancer progression. 
     
     
         16 . A method of monitoring the progression of a gastric cancer, comprising examining the expression of Bcl-B in one or more cells of said cancer, wherein a decrease in the amount of Bcl-B expression in the cancer cells or a decrease in the number or percentage of cells with detectable Bcl-B expression as compared to that of normal reference cells indicates an increased risk of cancer progression. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled)