Methods of detecting lung cancer

Abstract

Methods of detecting lung cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, are provided. Methods of detecting changes in the levels of one or more small RNAs associated with lung cancer are also provided. Compositions and kits are also provided.

1 . A method for detecting the presence of lung cancer in a subject, the method comprising detecting the level of at least one RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, in a sample from the subject, wherein detection of a level of small U2 that is greater than a normal level of small U2, or detection of a level of at least one RNA selected from 13207, miR-720, miR-451, and 13750 that is less than a normal level of the respective RNA, indicates the presence of lung cancer in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method of facilitating the diagnosis of lung cancer in a subject or the monitoring of therapy in a lung cancer patient, comprising detecting the level of at least one RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, in a sample from the subject, and communicating the results of the detection to a medical practitioner for the purpose of determining whether the subject has lung cancer or monitoring therapy in the lung cancer patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the level of small U2. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the level of 13750. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the level of miR-720. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the level of miR-451. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the levels of at least two RNAs selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the method comprises:
 a) detecting the levels of small U2 and 13750, or   b) detecting the levels of small U2 and miR-451; or   c) detecting the levels of small U2 and miR-720; or   d) detecting the levels of 13750 and miR-451; or   e) detecting the levels of 13750 and miR-720; or   f) detecting the levels of miR-451 and miR-720.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises detecting the levels of at least three RNAs selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the method comprises:
 a) detecting the levels of small U2, miR-720, and 13750; or   b) detecting the levels of small U2, miR-720, and miR-451; or   c) detecting the levels of small U2, miR-451, and 13750; or   d) detecting the levels of miR-720, miR-451, and 13750.   
     
     
         12 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of monitoring response to therapy in a lung cancer patient, comprising detecting the level of at least one RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, in a first sample from the subject taken at a first time point, and comparing the level of at least one RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750 to the level of the respective RNA in a second sample from the patient taken at a second time point, wherein the second time point is prior to the first time point, and wherein a decrease in the level of small U2 or an increase in the level of at least one RNA selected from miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750 in the first sample relative to the second sample, indicates that the lung cancer patient is responding to therapy. 
     
     
         19 . A method for detecting the presence of lung cancer in a subject, comprising obtaining a sample from the subject, providing the sample to a laboratory for detection of the level of at least one RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, in the sample, receiving from the laboratory a communication indicating the level of the at least one RNA, wherein detection of a level of small U2 that is greater than a normal level of small U2, or detection of a level of at least one RNA selected from 13207, miR-720, miR-451, and 13750 that is less than a normal level of the respective RNA, indicates the presence of lung cancer in the subject. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises hybridizing at least one polynucleotide comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleotides of a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 42 to 51, 81, and 82 to RNA from the sample or cDNA reverse-transcribed from RNA from the sample, and detecting a complex comprising a polynucleotide and an RNA or cDNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750. 
     
     
         22 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the blood sample is a serum sample. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lung cancer is early stage lung cancer. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises quantitative RT-PCR. 
     
     
         34 .- 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A composition comprising an oligonucleotide that comprises at least eight contiguous nucleotides that are complementary to (i) an RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, or (ii) a cDNA reverse-transcribed from an RNA selected from small U2, miR-720, miR-451, 13207, and 13750, wherein the oligonucleotide is between 8 and 30 nucleotides long. 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A kit comprising the composition of  claim 39 .