Metastasis specific splice variants of mena and uses thereof in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of tumors

Abstract

Methods and kits for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metastatic tumors are provided where the metastatic tumor is characterized by changes in expression of +++, ++ and/or 11a variants of Mena.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method of inhibiting metastasis of a primary tumor or growth of a metastatic tumor in a subject, the method comprising administering an agent that reduces the presence or activity of the +++ isoform of Mena to a subject in need of such treatment. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the agent is an antisense molecule, a ribozyme, or an RNAi molecule that specifically inhibits expression of the isoform. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the agent is an antibody, antibody fragment, peptide or aptamer that specifically binds to and reduces the activity of the isoform. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the tumor is a secretory epithelial tumor. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the tumor is a breast, pancreas, prostate, colon, brain, liver, lung, head or neck tumor. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the tumor has potential to be a metastatic tumor. 
     
     
         56 . A method for treating a tumor in a subject who has undergone or is undergoing treatment for a tumor, the method comprising receiving identification of the subject as having overexpression of the +++ variant of Mena and thus in need of continued therapy to treat the tumor; and administering to the subject undergoing continued therapy to treat the tumor an amount of an agent that is an inhibitor of the +++ variant of Mena effective to reduce the presence or activity of the +++ variant of Mena in the subject. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the tumor has potential to be a metastatic tumor. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein expression of the +++ variant of Mena is compared to expression of Mena 11a and wherein overexpression of the +++ variant of Mena compared to expression of Mena 11a is indicative of a need to continue therapy to treat the tumor. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the tumor is a secretory epithelial tumor. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the tumor is a breast, pancreas, prostate, colon, brain, liver, lung, head or neck tumor. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the agent is an antisense molecule, ribozyme or RNAi molecule. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the agent is an antibody, antibody fragment, peptide, or aptamer. 
     
     
         63 . A method of inhibiting metastasis of a breast tumor in a subject, the method comprising administering an RNAi molecule that specifically inhibits expression of the +++ isoform of Mena to a subject in need of such treatment.