Trefoil family factor proteins and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention provides for methods for treating an inflammatory disease of the digestive system in a subject by administering a trefoil family molecule. The invention provides for methods for treating a digestive system cancer in a subject by administering a trefoil family molecule. The invention provides for methods for cell proliferation in a subject by administering a trefoil family molecule.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method of treating a disease or condition in a subject comprising administering to the subject a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, a TFF3 molecule, or a combination thereof, wherein the treatment is selected from the group consisting of treating a digestive system cancer, decreasing myeloid-derived suppressor cell proliferation, decreasing tumor growth, and treating dysplasia of the digestive system. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the TFF1 molecule, TFF2 molecule, or TFF3 molecule is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the nucleic acid is delivered as a viral vector. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the digestive system cancer is selected from the group consisting of small intestine cancer, large intestine cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and anal cancer. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the myeloid-derived suppressor cell is a tumor associated myeloid-derived suppressor cell. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the myeloid-derived suppressor cell expresses a MDSC-specific surface marker. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the myeloid derived suppressor cell does not express a MDSC-specific surface marker. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the MDSC-specific surface marker is selected from the group consisting of (1) Grl1, CD11b, or a combination thereof; and (2) CD14, CD15, CD33, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the MDSC-specific surface marker is HLA-DR. 
     
     
         62 . A kit for use for the method of  claim 52 , the kit comprising a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, a TFF3 molecule, or a combination thereof, and instructions of use. 
     
     
         63 . A method of determining the presence of, or predisposition to, a cancer of the digestive system in a sample from a subject, the method comprising:
 (a) detecting the presence, absence or reduction of a TFF1 molecule, TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule in the sample, wherein absence, or reduction of the molecule indicates the presence of, or predisposition to, a cancer of the digestive system.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising (b) administering a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, a TFF3 molecule, or a combination thereof to the subject where a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule was not detected. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising incubating the sample with an agent that binds a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule, or fragment thereof. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the agent is an antibody to a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the digestive system cancer is selected from the group consisting of small intestine cancer, large intestine cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and anal cancer. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the TFF1 molecule, TFF2 molecule, or TFF3 molecule is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the nucleic acid is delivered as a viral vector. 
     
     
         70 . A diagnostic kit for determining the presence of, or predisposition to, a cancer of the digestive system, the kit comprising an agent that binds to a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule, and instructions for use. 
     
     
         71 . The kit of  claim 70 , wherein the agent is an antibody to a TFF1 molecule, a TFF2 molecule, or a TFF3 molecule.