Method for detecting or treating triple negative breast cancer

Abstract

A method of detecting triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is provided. Overexpression of ICAM-1 is linked to an increased risk of TNBC. A composition of matter is also provided that binds an anti-ICAM˜1 antibody to a nanoparticle. The composition may be used as an imaging agent and/or a therapeutic targeting agent. A therapeutically active molecule may be bound to the composition to provide targeted therapy.

1 . A method of detecting a high risk of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the method comprising steps of:
 quantifying an expression level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a sample of human breast tissue;   comparing the expression level to a predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression;   determining the human breast tissue has a high risk of triple negative breast cancer by finding the expression level is greater than the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a step of removing the sample of human breast tissue from a patient, the step of removing occurring prior to the step of quantifying. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression is less than 325,000 molecules per cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression is less than 100,000 molecules per cell. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining finds triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least five-fold greater than the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression is less than 100,000 molecules per cell and the step of determining finds the high risk of triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least 500,000 molecules per cell. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining finds triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least eight-fold greater than the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression is less than 100,000 molecules per cell and the step of determining finds the high risk of triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least 800,000 molecules per cell. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining finds the high risk of triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least eight-fold greater than the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standard level of ICAM-1 expression is less than 100,000 molecules per cell and the step of determining finds the high risk of triple negative breast cancer when the expression level is at least 1,000,000 molecules per cell. 
     
     
         11 . A method of localizing a nanoparticle proximate triple negative breast cancer cells, the method comprising steps of:
 introducing a probe into a human breast tissue, the probe comprising an anti-ICAM-1 antibody bound to a nanoparticle;   permitting the anti-ICAM-1 antibody to preferentially locate at triple negative breast cancer tissue in the human breast tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the probe further comprises a therapeutically active molecule bound to either the ICAM-1 antibody or to the nanoparticle. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutically active molecule is selected from the group consisting of ursolic acid; 4-[(4-methylphenyl)thio]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide; (2E)-1-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-[4-[[2-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]thio]-3-nitrophenyl]-2-propen-1-one; and N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-1-[-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)]-2-thiazolyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the nanoparticle is a magnetic nanoparticle. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a step of imaging the triple negative breast cancer tissue by imaging the magnetic nanoparticle with magnetic resonance imaging. 
     
     
         16 . A composition of matter comprising a nanoparticle bound to an anti-ICAM-1 antibody. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of matter as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the composition of matter further comprises a therapeutically active molecule bound to either the ICAM-1 antibody or to the nanoparticle. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of matter as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the therapeutically active molecule is selected from the group consisting of ursolic acid; 4-[(4-methylphenyl)thio]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide; (2E)-1-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-[4-[[2-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]thio]-3-nitrophenyl]-2-propen-1-one; and N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-1-[-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)]-2-thiazolyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of matter as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the nanoparticle consists essentially of iron oxide.