Breast Endothelial Cell Expression Patterns

Abstract

To gain a better understanding of breast tumor angiogenesis, breast endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated and evaluated for gene expression patterns. When transcripts from breast ECs derived from normal and malignant breast tissues were compared, genes that were specifically elevated in tumor-associated breast endothelium were revealed. These results confirm that neoplastic and normal endothelium in human breast are distinct at the molecular level, and have significant implications for the development of anti-angiogenic therapies in the future.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a breast tumor, comprising the step of:
 contacting cells of the breast tumor with an antibody, wherein the antibody specifically binds to an extracellular epitope of hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif, whereby immune destruction of cells of the breast tumor is triggered.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the antibody is conjugated to a diagnostic or therapeutic reagent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the breast tumor is multidrug-sensitive. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the reagent is a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the reagent is a cytotoxin. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the reagent is a non-radioactive label. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the reagent is a radioactive compound. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the breast tumor is in a human.