Novel human ulip/crmp protein and use thereof in diagnosis and treatment of cancers and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes

Abstract

A purified polypeptide, designated ULIP6, comprising the amino acid sequence SED ID No. 2 or an epitopic fragment of said polypeptide, comprising the sequence SEQ ID No. 4, is provided along with its nucleic acid sequences. In addition, antibodies to the polypeptide and methods of diagnosing paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and/or for the early diagnosis of the formation of cancerous tumors are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and/or for the early diagnosis of the formation of cancerous tumors, in which autoantibodies directed against a ULIP6 protein are demonstrated in a biological sample taken from an individual, the method comprising:
 contacting a biological sample taken from an individual with a polypeptide designated ULIP6, comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 2, or an epitopic fragment of the polypeptide, comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO. 4, optionally attached to a support, under conditions which allow the formation of specific immunocomplexes between the polypeptide and the autoantibodies possibly present in the biological sample, and   detecting the specific immunocomplexes possibly formed;   wherein if specific immunocomplexes are formed, there is a diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome and/or formation of cancerous tumors.   
     
     
         2 . A mono- or polyclonal antibody obtained using a polypeptide designated ULIP6, comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 2, or an epitopic fragment of the polypeptide, comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO. 4, and also the fragments, chimeric antibodies or immunoconjugates of the mono- or polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The use of mono- or polyclonal antibodies or fragments, chimeric antibodies or immunoconjugates thereof as claimed in  claim 2 , for purifying or detecting the ULIP6 protein in a biological sample. 
     
     
         4 . A kit for the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and for the early diagnosis of the formation of tumors, using a biological specimen, comprising:
 at least one ULIP6 polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 2, or an epitopic fragment of the polypeptide, comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO. 4, optionally attached to a support,   means for revealing the formation of specific antigen/antibody complexes between an anti-ULIP6 autoantibody and the ULIP6 polypeptide, and/or means for quantifying these complexes.   
     
     
         5 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody directed specifically against the polypeptide including the fragments, chimeric antibodies or immunoconjugates of the mono- or polyclonal antibody as claimed in  claim 2 ; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The use of a therapeutic agent as defined in  claim 5 , for manufacturing a medicament intended to treat neurodegenerative diseases and neoplasms.