Methods for Detecting, Diagnosing and Treating Human Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Gene expression profiling and hierarchical clustering analysis readily identify differential gene expressions in normal renal epithelial cells and renal cell carcinomas. Genes identified by this analysis would be useful for diagnosis, prognosis and development of targeted therapy for the prevention and treatment of conventional renal cell carcinoma.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of detecting a renal cell cancer comprising the steps of:
 obtaining one or more biological samples comprising renal tissue or renal cells from an individual;   determining a gene expression level of GATA3 in the sample; and   performing statistical analysis on the expression level of the GATA3 gene as compared to that expressed in normal biological samples comprising renal tissue or renal cells, wherein statistically down-regulated gene expression levels would indicate said individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of measuring the expression levels of TFCP2L1, wherein down-regulated gene expression levels of TFCP2L1 indicate the individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of measuring the expression levels of TFAP2B, wherein down-regulated gene expression levels of TFAP2B indicate the individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of measuring the expression levels of DMRT2, wherein down-regulated gene expression levels of DMRT2 indicate the individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of measuring the expression levels of TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, and DMRT2, wherein down-regulated gene expression levels of TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, and DMRT2 indicate the individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of determining the gene expression level of the GATA3 gene is by DNA microarray, hierarchical cluster analysis, real-time PCR, RT-PCR, or northern analysis. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the renal cell cancer is a Stage I, II, II or IV renal cancer. 
     
     
         29 . A method of detecting a renal cell cancer comprising the steps of:
 obtaining one or more biological samples comprising renal tissue or renal cells from an individual;   determining a gene expression level of GATA3 in the sample and at least one gene selected from TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, and DMRT2; and   performing statistical analysis on the expression level of the GATA3 gene as compared to that expressed in normal biological samples comprising renal tissue or renal cells, wherein statistically down-regulated gene expression levels would indicate said individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of measuring the expression levels of TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, and DMRT2, wherein down-regulated gene expression levels of TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, and DMRT2 indicate the individual has papillary or clear cell renal cell cancer. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of determining the gene expression level of the GATA3 gene is by DNA microarray, hierarchical cluster analysis, real-time PCR, RT-PCR, or northern analysis. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the renal cell cancer is a Stage I, II, II or IV renal cancer.