Genes Differentially Expressed in Breast Cancer

Abstract

A polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 is associated with metastatic potential of cancer cells, especially breast cancer cells. Methods are provided for determining the risk of metastasis of a tumor, by determining whether a tissue sample from a tumor expresses a polypeptide or mRNA encoded by a polynucleotide as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Also provided are therapeutic methods and compositions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting cancerous cells in a first tissue sample, comprising:
 measuring in said first tissue sample an expression product of hsOAF, wherein at least a two-fold greater expression of the product in said first tissue sample compared to a normal tissue sample indicates the presence of cancerous cells in said first tissue sample.   
     
     
         2 . A method for detecting cancerous cells in a first tissue sample, comprising:
 measuring in said first tissue sample an expression product of a gene which comprises a polypeptide-coding region of:   (a) SEQ ID NO:1; or   (b) a nucleotide sequence with at least 85% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1;   wherein at least a two-fold greater expression of the product in said first tissue sample compared to a normal tissue sample indicates the presence of cancerous cells in said first tissue sample.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the expression product is a protein. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the protein is measured using an antibody which specifically binds to the protein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the expression product is a mRNA. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said mRNA is measured using a polynucleotide probe comprising: (a) at least 15 contiguous nucleotides of nucleotides 365-1173 of SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) the complement of (a). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said mRNA is measured using a polynucleotide probe comprising: (a) at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of nucleotides 365-1173 of SEQ ID NO:1; or (b) the complement of (a). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said first tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of breast, pancreas, esophagus, liver, stomach, spleen, ovary, and small intestine tissue samples. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said first tissue sample is a breast tissue and said normal tissue is a normal breast tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said first tissue sample is selected from the group consisting of pancreas, esophagus, liver, and stomach tissues.