Expression Profile Of Prostate Cancer

• US 20080222741A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Chinnaiyan, Arul M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,700,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 800/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6886 for cancer immunoassay for cancer G01N33/574
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/106 Pharmacogenomics, i.e. genetic variability in individual responses to drugs and drug metabolism
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/118 Prognosis of disease development
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/136 Screening for pharmacological compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/158 Expression markers
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/178 miRNA, siRNA or ncRNA
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2500/10 involving cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5044 involving specific cell types
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/57434 of prostate

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles associated with prostate cancers. Genes identified as cancer markers using the methods of the present invention find use in the diagnosis and characterization of prostate cancer. In addition, the genes provide targets for cancer drug screens and therapeutic applications.

Claims

1. A method of screening compounds, comprising:

a) contacting a prostate cell sample with a test compound; and

b) detecting a change in EZH2 expression in said prostate cell sample in the presence of said test compound relative to the absence of said test compound.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting comprises detecting EZH2 mRNA.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting comprises detecting EZH2 polypeptide.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said cell is in vitro.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said cell is in vivo.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said test compound comprises an antisense compound.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said test compound comprises a drug.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said test compound comprises an siRNA.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting comprises detecting only a change in EZH2 expression.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting comprises the use of an EZH2 specific detection reagent.

11. A method of screening compounds, comprising:

a) contacting a prostate cell sample with a test compound; and

b) detecting a change in at least one activity of EZH2 in said prostate cell sample in the presence of said test compound relative to the absence of said test compound.

12. A non-human animal comprising an exogenous EZH2 gene.

13. The animal of claim 12, wherein said animal is a mouse.

14. The animal of claim 12, wherein said transgenic animal overexpresses said EZH2 gene.

15. The animal of claim 12, wherein said transgenic animal exhibits symptoms of prostate cancer.

16. A method of inhibiting the growth of cells, comprising:

contacting a cell that expresses EZH2 with a reagent for inhibiting EZH2 expression in said cell, wherein said reagent is an antisense oligonucleotide under conditions such that the expression of EZH2 in said cell is inhibited.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said cell is a prostate cancer cell.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said contacting further results in a decrease in proliferation of said cell.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of, prior to said contacting step, measuring the level of expression of EZH2 in said cell.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of selecting said reagent based on said level of expression of EZH2 in said cell.

21. A method of inhibiting the growth of cells, comprising:

contacting a cell that expresses EZH2 with a reagent for inhibiting EZH2 expression in said cell, wherein said reagent is drug under conditions such that the expression of EZH2 in said cell is inhibited.

22. A method of inhibiting the growth of cells, comprising:

contacting a cell that expresses EZH2 with a reagent for inhibiting EZH2 expression in said cell, wherein said reagent is an siRNA under conditions such that the expression of EZH2 in said cell is inhibited.