The present invention relates to gene expression profiles; microarrays comprising nucleic acid sequences for identifying said profiles, for example, by analysing patient derived samples; new diagnostic kits and methods for identification of same. The invention further relates to treatment of specific populations of patients, for example cancer patients, characterised as a responder by their gene expression profile, such as patients suffering from Mage expressing tumours. The invention further includes methods of inducing a responder's profile in a patient initially or originally designated as a non-responder.
Melanomas are tumors originating from melanocyte cells in the epidermis. Patients with malignant melanoma in distant metastasis (stage IV according to the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) classification) have a median survival time of one year, with a long-term survival rate of only 5%. Even the standard chemotherapy for stage IV melanoma has therapeutic response rates of only 8-25%, but with no effect on overall survival. Patients with regional metastases (stage III) have a median survival of two to three years with very low chance of long-term survival, even after an adequate surgical control of the primary and regional metastases (Balch et al., 1992). Most Patients with stage I to III melanoma have their tumour removed surgically, but these patients maintain a substantial risk of relapse. Thus there remains a need to prevent melanoma progression, and to have improved treatment regimes for metastatic melanoma and adjuvant treatments for patients having had a primary tumour removed.
There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The names simply describe the type of cell found in the tumours. NSCLC includes squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma and accounts for around 80% of lung cancers. NSCLC is hard to cure and treatments available tend to have the aim of prolonging life, as far as possible, and relieving symptoms of disease. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer and is associated with poor outcomes (Gatzmeier et al., 1994). Of all NSCLC patients, only about 25% have loco-regional disease at the time of diagnosis and are still amenable to surgical excision (stages IB, IIA or IIB according to the AJCC classification). However, more than 50% of these patients will relapse within the two years following the complete surgical resection. There is therefore a need to provide better treatment for these patients.
Traditional chemotherapy is based on administering toxic substances to the patient and relying, in part, on the aggressive uptake of the toxic agent by the tumour/cancer cells. These toxic substances adversely affect the patient's immune system, leaving the individual physically weakened and susceptible to infection.
It is known that not all patients with cancer respond to current cancer treatments. It is thought that only 30% or less of persons suffering from a cancer will respond to any given treatment. The cancers that do not respond to treatment are described as resistant. In many instances there have not been reliable methods for establishing if the patients will respond to treatment. However, administering treatment to patients who are both responders and non-responders because they cannot be differentiated is an inefficient use of resources and, even worse, can be damaging to the patient because, as discussed already, many cancer treatments have significant side effects, such as severe immunosuppression, emesis and/or alopecia. It is thought that in a number of cases patients receive treatment, when it is not necessary or when it will not be effective.
Cells including cancer/tumour cells express many hundreds even thousands of genes.
A large amount of work has been done in recent times to assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients, for example to identify those patients who do not require further treatment because they have no risk of metastasis, recurrence or progression of the disease.
WO 2006/124836 identifies certain gene expression signatures over several oncogenic pathways, thereby defining the prognosis of the patient and sensitivity to therapeutic agents that target these pathways. The specific oncogenes are; Myc, Ras, E2, S3, Src and beta-catenin.
US 2006/0265138 discloses a method of generating a genetic profile, generally for identifying the primary tumour so that appropriate treatment can be given.
US 2006/0240441 and US 2006/0252057 describe methods of diagnosing lung cancer based on the differential expression of certain genes.
US 2006/0234259 relates to the identification and use of certain gene expression profiles of relevance to prostate cancer.
WO 2006/103442 describes gene expression profiles expressed in a subset of estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours, which act, as a predictive signature for response to certain hormone therapies such as tamoxifen and also certain chemotherapies.
WO 2006/093507 describes a gene profile useful for characterising a patient with colorectal cancer as having a good prognosis or a bad prognosis, wherein patients with a good prognosis are suitable for chemotherapy.
WO 2006/092610 describes a method for monitoring melanoma progression based on differential expression of certain genes and novel markers for the disease, in particular TSBY1, CYBA and MT2A.
WO 2005/049829 describes an isolated set of marker genes that may be employed to predict the sensitivity of certain cancers to a chemotherapeutic agent, which is an erbB receptor kinase inhibitor, such as gefitinib.
Generally, these cases relate to markers for one or more cancers based on biological markers for the identification and/or progression of the cancer. In some instances these pathways are modulated by so-called oncogenes. Diagnosis employing the above techniques allows those patients who are likely to relapse and/or suffer metastasis to be identified and targeted for further therapy. In other instances a specific marker relevant to resistance to a specific treatment is identified.
A new generation of cancer treatments based on antigens, peptides, DNA and the like is currently under investigation by a number of groups. The strategy behind many of these therapies, often referred to as cancer immunotherapy, is to stimulate the patient's immune system into fighting the cancer. These therapies are likely to be advantageous because the side effects, of taking such treatments, are expected to be minimal in comparison to the side effects currently encountered by patients undergoing cancer treatment. An antigen used in a cancer immunotherapy may be referred to as an ASCI, that is antigen-specific cancer immunotherapeutic.
In the early 1980s, Van Pel and Boon published the discovery of cytolytic T cells directed against an antigen presented on tumour cells. This led to the characterization of the first tumour-specific, shared antigen: Melanoma AGE-1 (MAGE-1, subsequently renamed MAGE-A1). It was followed by the identification of a large number of genes sharing the same expression pattern: they are expressed in a wide range of tumour types such as, melanoma, lung, bladder, breast, head and neck cancers. They are not expressed in normal cells, except testis. However, this expression in the testis does not normally lead to antigen expression, as these germ line cells do not express MHC class I molecules. From their peculiar expression profile, the name of Cancer Testis (CT) genes was proposed for these genes.
MAGE antigens are antigens encoded by the family of Melanoma-associated antigen genes (MAGE). MAGE genes are predominately expressed on melanoma cells (including malignant melanoma) and some other cancers including NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, bladder transitional cell carcinoma and oesophagus carcinoma, but are not detectable on normal tissues except in the testis and the placenta (Gaugler et al Human gene MAGE-3 codes for an antigen recognized on a melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes J Exp Med. 1994 Mar. 1; 179(3):921-930); Weynants et al Expression of mage genes by non-small-cell lung carcinomas Int. J. Cancer. 1994 Mar. 15; 56(6):826-829, Patard et al Int J. Cancer 64: 60, 1995). MAGE-A3 is expressed in 69% of melanomas (Gaugler, 1994), and can also be detected in 44% of NSCLC (Yoshimatsu 1988), 48% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 34% of bladder transitional cell carcinoma, 57% of oesophageal carcinoma, 32% of colon cancers and 24% of breast cancers (Van Pel, et al Genes coding for tumor antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes Immunological Reviews 145, 229-250, 1995, 1995.); Inoue 1995; Fujie 1997; Nishimura 1997). Cancers expressing MAGE proteins are known as Mage associated tumours.
In one aspect the invention provides a method for detection of a gene signature, indicative of a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy, such as cancer immunotherapy, in a biological sample. Thus the invention provides a method of screening patients to establish if they are suitable for treatment, for example with a cancer immunotherapy.
In one aspect the invention provides a diagnostic kit comprising one or more nucleotide probes capable of hybridising to the mRNA or cDNA of one or more immune activation genes relevant to the profile.
In one aspect the invention provides one or more probes for identifying said one or more immune activation genes relevant to the profile.
In one aspect the invention provides a microarray of said probes suitable for the detection of said gene(s)/profile.
In another aspect the invention provides use of a microarray, including known microarrays, for the identification of said immune gene(s)/profile.
In one aspect the invention provides use of PCR (or other known techniques) for identification of differential expression (such as upregulation) of one or more of said genes.
In one aspect the invention provides a method of treating a patient with an appropriate immunotherapy after screening to identify the patient as a responder to said treatment.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of increasing the efficacy of an immunotherapy in a patient population comprising the step of first screening the population for the differential expression of one or more immune genes/said profile, and a second step of characterising the patient as a responder or non-responder.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of generating a list of differentially expressed immune genes (ie a profile of immune genes) indicative of a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy.
a is a visual representation of the expression of 2 genes for 30 different patients (patients along the X-axis).
In the heat maps herein upregulated genes are represented in red which in greyscale tends to be presented by darker shades. Lighter shades in greyscale tend to present green on the heat map (genes which are not upregulated).
Tables 1 to 4, 11 and 12 provide lists of genes that are differentially regulated according to the present invention.
Table 1A provides the nucleotide sequence listing for each of the genes listed in Table 1.
Table 1B provides the probe set identifier number (a unique reference number for the probe) of probes (and sequence thereof) wherein each probe is suitable for identifying particular genes listed in Table 1.
Table 3A links the genes (and sequences thereof) of Table 3 and probes suitable for identifying said genes.
Table 5 provides a list of genes, primers and probes suitable for use in PCR analysis.
Table 6 is a list of gene included in the TaqMan® (Q-PCR) Immune Profiling Array.
Table 7 provides a list of genes according to one aspect of the invention.
Table 7A provides the geomean ratio between responders and non-responder groups for the genes listed in Table 7.
Table 8 provides a correlation matrix for 30 genes.
Table 9 provides a list of genes according to one aspect of the invention.
Table 9A logistical regression results for certain genes listed in Table 9
Table 10 shows the percentage of correct classification using a logistical regression model for the genes listed in Table 9.
Table 11 provides a list of genes according to one aspect of the invention.
Tables 11A & 11B show the level of gene expression (based on the results of 41 probe sets) for various patients.
Tables 12 and 13 show gene lists that form further aspects of the invention.
Table 14 provides a correlation between the gene expression levels given in Tables 11A & 11B with the clinical outcome for said patients.
Annexes A to C are computer code for assisting with stastical analysis of samples.
The MAGE-1 gene belongs to a family of 12 closely related genes, MACE 1, MAGE 2, MAGE 3, MAGE 4, MAGE 5, MAGE 6, MAGE 7, MAGE 8, MAGE 9, MAGE 10, MAGE 11, MAGE 12, located on chromosome X and sharing with each other 64 to 85% homology in their coding sequence (De Plaen, 1994). These are sometimes known as MAGE A1, MAGE A2, MAGE A3, MAGE A4, MAGE A5, MAGE A6, MAGE A7, MAGE A8, MAGE A9, MAGE A 10, MAGE A11, MAGE A12 (The MAGE A family).
Two other groups of proteins are also part of the MAGE family although more distantly related. These are the MAGE B and MAGE C group. The MAGE B family includes MAGE B1 (also known as MAGE Xp1, and DAM 10), MAGE B2 (also known as MAGE Xp2 and DAM 6) MAGE B3 and MAGE B4—the Mage C family currently includes MAGE C1 and MAGE C2.
In general terms, a MAGE A protein can be defined as containing a core sequence signature located towards the C-terminal end of the protein (for example with respect to MAGE A1 a 309 amino acid protein, the core signature corresponds to amino acid 195-279).
It does not simply follow that if the tumour expresses, for example, Mage that the patient will respond to immunotherapy based on a Mage antigen.
Analysis performed on cancers/tumours from patients prior to receiving immunotherapy, such as Mage immunotherapy, identified that certain genes were differentially expressed in patients that responded well to the treatment, in comparison to those patients who did not respond to the immunotherapy. The present inventors have discovered a gene signature/profile that is predictive of the likely response of the patient to an appropriate immunotherapy. More specifically the present inventors have discovered a gene signature that is predictive of improved survival after treatment with Mage antigen specific immunotherapy.
Thus the invention provides a gene profile, from a patient derived sample, which is indicative of an increased likelihood that the patient will be a responder (or alternatively a non-responder) to an immunotherapy, for example a cancer immunotherapy, such as Mage immunotherapy, wherein the profile comprises differential expression of at least one immune activation gene. The invention provides a gene profile, from a patient derived sample, which is indicative of an increased likelihood that the patient will be a responder to an immunotherapy, for example a cancer immunotherapy, such as Mage immunotherapy, wherein the profile comprises upregulation of at least one immune activation gene.
The present invention provides a predictive profile in contrast to a diagnostic or prognostic profile.
Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory it is hypothesised that the gene signature identified is in fact indicative of an immune/inflammatory, such as a T cell infiltration/activation response in the patients who are designated as responders, for example, the signature may represent a T-cell activation marker. The presence of this response is thought to assist the patient's body to fight the disease, such as cancer, after administration of the immunotherapy thereby rendering a patient more responsive to said immunotherapy.
Thus the signature of the present invention does not focus on markers/genes specifically associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis of the relevant disease, for example cancer such as oncogenes, but rather is predictive of whether the patient will respond to an appropriate immunotherapy, such as cancer immunotherpay.
The gene profile identified herein for cancer and methods for identifying the same are thought to be indicative of the microenvironment of the tumor. The correct microenvironment of the tumor seems to be key to whether the patient responds to appropriate cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy in the context of the invention means therapy based on stimulating an immune response, generally to an antigen, wherein the response results in the treatment, amelioration and/or retardation of the progression of a disease associated therewith. Treatment in this context would not usually include prophylactic treatment.
Cancer immunotherapy in the context of this specification means immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect the immunotherapy is based on a cancer testis antigen, such as Mage (discussed in more detail below).
This invention may be used for identifying cancer patients that are likely to respond to appropriate immunotherapy, for example patients with melanoma, breast, bladder, lung, NSCLC, head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, colon carcinoma and oesophageal carcinoma, such as in patients with MAGE-expressing cancers. In an embodiment, the invention may be used in an adjuvant (post-operative, for example disease-free) setting in such cancers, particularly lung and melanoma. The invention also finds utility in the treatment of cancers in the metastatic setting.
Thus in a first aspect the invention provides a signature indicative of a patient, such as a cancer patient, designated a responder or non-responder to treatment with an appropriate immunotherapy, the signature comprising differential expression of one or more genes selected from immune activation/immune response/inflammatory response genes, for example, the group of genes indicative of T cell infiltration/activation, such as a gene listed (or a gene list comprising or consisting) those listed in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 such as Table 1 or 2. Differential expression in the context of the present invention means the gene is upregulated or downregulated in comparison to its normal expression. Statistical methods for calculating gene differentiation are discussed below.
Immune activation gene is intended to mean a gene that facilitates, increases or stimulates an appropriate immune response. Immune response gene and immune activation gene are used interchangeably herein.
An important technique for the analysis of the genes expressed by cells, such as cancer/tumour cells, is DNA microarray (also known as gene chip technology), where hundreds or more probe sequences (such as 55,000 probe sets) are attached to a glass surface. The probe sequences are generally all 25 mers or 60 mers and are sequences from known genes. These probes are generally arranged in a set of 11 individual probes (a probe set) and are fixed in a predefined pattern on the glass surface. Once exposed to an appropriate biological sample these probes hybridise to the relevant RNA or DNA of a particular gene. After washing, the chip is “read” by an appropriate method and a quantity such as colour intensity recorded. The differential expression of a particular gene is proportional to the measure/intensity recorded. This technology is discussed in more detail below.
Once a target gene profile has been identified there are several analytical methods to measure whether the gene(s) is/are differentially expressed. These analytical techniques include real-time polymerase chain reaction, also called quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR or Q-PCR), which is used to simultaneously quantify and amplify a specific part of a given DNA molecule present in the sample.
The procedure follows the general pattern of polymerase chain reaction, but the DNA is quantified after each round of amplification (the “real-time” aspect). Two common methods of quantification are the use of fluorescent dyes that intercalate with double-strand DNA, and modified DNA oligonucleotide probes that fluoresce when hybridized with a complementary DNA.
The basic idea behind real-time polymerase chain reaction is that the more abundant a particular cDNA (and thus mRNA) is in a sample, the earlier it will be detected during repeated cycles of amplification. Various systems exist which allow the amplification of DNA to be followed and they often involve the use of a fluorescent dye which is incorporated into newly synthesised DNA molecules during real-time amplification. Real-time polymerase chain reaction machines, which control the thermocycling process, can then detect the abundance of fluorescent DNA and thus the amplification progress of a given sample. Typically, amplification of a given cDNA over time follows a curve, with an initial flat-phase, followed by an exponential phase. Finally, as the experiment reagents are used up, DNA synthesis slows and the exponential curve flattens into a plateau.
Alternatively the mRNA or protein product of the target gene(s) may be measured by Northern Blot analysis, Western Blot and/or immunohistochemistry.
In one aspect the analysis to identify the profile/signature is performed on a patient sample wherein a cancer testis antigen is expressed.
If a gene is always upregulated or always down regulated in patients that are deemed to be responders (or alternatively non-responders) then this single gene can be used to establish if the patient is a responder or a non-responder once a threshold is established and provided the separation of the two groups is adequate.
When a single gene is analysed, for example, by Q-PCR then the gene expression can be normalised by reference to a gene that remains constant, for example genes with the symbol H3F3A, GΔPDH, TFRC, GUSB or PGK1. The normalisation can be performed by substracting the value obtained for the constant gene from the value obtained for the gene under consideration. A threshold may be established by plotting a measure of the expression of the relevant gene for each patient. Generally the responders and the non-responders will be clustered about a different axis/focal point. A threshold can be established in the gap between the clusters by classical statistical methods or simply plotting a “best fit line” to establish the middle ground between the two groups. Values, for example, above the pre-defined threshold can be designated as responders and values, for example below the pre-designated threshold can be designated as non-responders.
In one aspect the invention provides a gene profile for identifying a responder comprising one or more of said genes wherein 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or 100% of the genes are upregulated.
The genes listed in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 such as Table 1, 2 and/or 3 are generally upregulated in responders.
The robustness of the predictive method of the invention can be further improved for larger sample sizes by employing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc genes from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 such as Table 1 or 2.
Furthermore, once at least two differential expressed genes are included in the signature then statistical clustering methods can be used to differentiate the responders and non-responders. Methods for statistical clustering and software for the same are discussed below.
One parameter used in quantifying the differential expression of genes is the fold change, which is a metric for comparing a gene's mRNA-expression level between two distinct experimental conditions. Its arithmetic definition differs between investigators. However, the higher the fold change the more likely that the differential expression of the relevant genes will be adequately separated, rendering it easier to decide which category (responder or non-responder) the patient falls into.
The fold change may, for example be at least 10, at least 15, at least 20 or 30.
Another parameter also used to quantify differential expression is the “p” value. It is thought that the lower the p value the more differentially expressed the gene is likely to be, which renders it a good candidate for use in profiles of the invention. P values may for example include 0.1 or less, such as 0.05 or less, in particular 0.01 or less. P values as used herein include corrected “P” values and/or also uncorrected “P” values.
The invention provides a method for the detection of a gene signature in a biological sample, the method comprising the analysis of the expression of at least 5 genes as set forth in Table 1. Alternatively one or more genes may be selected from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 such as Table 1 or 2.
Thus in one aspect the invention provides a method of identifying whether a cancer patient will be a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy, the method comprising:
Responder in the context of the present invention includes persons where the cancer/tumor(s) is irradiated, reduced or improved (mixed responder or partial responder) or simply stabilised such that the disease is not progressing. In responders where the cancer is stabilised then the period of stabilisation is such that the quality of life and/or patients life expectancy is increased (for example stable disease for more than 6 months) in comparison to a patient that does not receive treatment.
Partial clinical response in respect of cancer is wherein all of the tumors/cancers respond to treatment to some extent, for example where said cancer is reduced by 30, 40, 50, 60% or more. Mixed clinical responder in respect of cancer is defined as wherein some of the tumors/cancers respond to treatment and others remain unchanged or progress.
Standard definitions are available for responders, partial responders and mixed responders to cancer treatment. These standard definitions apply herein unless from the context it is clear that they do not apply.
As used herein, methods to predict a favorable clinical response or to identify subjects more likely to respond to therapy, is not meant to imply a 100% predictive ability, but to indicate that subjects with certain characteristics are more likely to experience a favorable clinical response to a specified therapy than subjects who lack such characteristics. However, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, some individuals identified as more likely to experience a favorable clinical response may nonetheless fail to demonstrate measurable clinical response to the treatment. Similarly, some individuals predicted as non-responders may nonetheless exhibit a favorable clinical response to the treatment.
As used herein, a ‘favorable response’ (or ‘favorable clinical response’) to, for example, an anticancer treatment refers to a biological or physical response that is recognized by those skilled in the art as indicating a decreased rate of tumor growth, compared to tumor growth that would occur with an alternate treatment or the absence of any treatment. “Favorable clinical response” as used herein is not synonymous with a cure, but includes Partial Response, Mixed Response or Stable Disease. A favorable clinical response to therapy may include a lessening of symptoms experienced by the subject, an increase in the expected or achieved survival time, a decreased rate of tumor growth, cessation of tumor growth (stable disease), regression in the number or mass of metastatic lesions, and/or regression of the overall tumor mass (each as compared to that which would occur in the absence of therapy, or in response to an alternate therapy).
Patients in need of treatment for, for example, a Mage-expressing tumor, whose tumor cells have a gene signature described herein as a “Responder” signature are more likely to have a favorable clinical response, compared to patients whose tumor cells show a gene signature described herein as a “Non-Responder” signature, when treated with Mage specific immunotherapy.
Non-responder in the context of this invention includes persons whose symptoms ie cancers/tumors are not improved or stabilised.
Optionally the characterisation of the patient as a responder or non-responder can be performed by reference to a “standard” or a training set. The standard may be the profile of a person/patient who is known to be a responder or non-responder or alternatively may be a numerical value. Such pre-determined standards may be provided in any suitable form, such as a printed list or diagram, computer software program, or other media.
Training set in the context of the present specification is intended to refer to a group of samples for which the clinical results can be correlated with the gene profile and can be employed for training an appropriate stastical model/programme to identify responders and/or non-responser for new samples. Tables 11A, 11B and 14 contain the training set information relevant to the 41 probe set model described in Example 4.
In one aspect a mathematical model/algorithm/statical method is employed to characterise the patient as responder or non-responder.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based one or more immune activation genes, such as 5 or more such genes.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on the genes in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 such as Table 1 or 2.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on 489 probes (listed in Table 4A) and/or approximately 480 genes as listed in Table 4.
According to one aspect the present invention provides a gene signature indicative of improved survival of patients with Mage expressing cancers following treatment with Mage specific immunotherapy. This gene signature, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31, genes from the genes disclosed in Table 1, is characterised by differential expression compared to the gene signature of MAGE-expressing tumour patients who do not respond to Mage antigen specific cancer immunotherapy. Improved survival in likely to be a corollary of a response to the immunotherapy administered, if the patient is in fact a responder.
Tables with Gene Lists
In one aspect the invention relates to one or more genes listed in Table 1
Table 1A at the end of this specification gives the full nucleotide sequence for each of the above genes.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on differential expression of 1 or more of 62 genes, identified in the literature, that relate to immune infiltration and activation.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on the genes listed in Table 2.
In one aspect the invention provides the list of genes in Table 3.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on one or more genes of Table 4
In the tables listed herein the given gene may be listed more than once, for example as a specific gene or as a gene cluster. Table 4 above is generated from the probe sets listed in Table 4A below. There are often multiple probe sets for each gene and thus where more than one probe set has been used to identify a particular gene then the gene appears more than once in Table 4. An attempt has been made to remove the duplication by scoring through genes that appear more than once in Table 4.
In one aspect the invention provides across the various embodiments herein one or more genes selected from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 including combinations thereof. In a further aspect the invention provides all the genes of Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13 or indeed combinations thereof.
In a further aspect the invention provides at least 10% of the genes listed in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13, for example at least 40%, 50%, 60% or 70% such as 80%, 90% or 100% thereof.
One or more genes includes 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51-55, 56-60, 61-65, 66-70, 71-75, 76-80, 81-85, 86-90, 91-95, 96-100, 101-105, 106-110, 111-115, 116-120, 121-125, 126-130, 131-135, 136-140, 141-145, 146-150, 151-155, 156-160, 161-165, 166-170, 171-175, 176-180, 181-185, 186-190, 191-195, 196-200, 201-205, 206-210, 211-215, 216-220, 221-225, 226-230, 231-235, 236-240, 241-245, 246-250, 251-255, 256-260, 261-265, 266-270, 271-275, 276-280, 281-285, 286-290, 291-295, 296-300, 301-305, 306-310, 311-315, 316-320, 321-325, 326-330, 331-335, 336-340, 341-345, 346-350, 351-355, 356-360, 361-365, 366-370, 371-375, 376-380, 381-385, 386-390, 391-395, 396-400, 401-405, 406-410, 411-415, 416-420, 421-425, 426-430, 431-435, 436-440, 441-445, 446-450, 451-455, 456-460, 461-465, 466-470, 471-475, 476-480, as appropriate and combinations thereof.
In one or more aspects the invention provides an embodiment as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 430 below.
1) Thus the invention may employ one or more genes from Table 4.
2) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to paragraph 1, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ20647, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.2 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
3) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the gene has the NAV1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.3 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
4) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein the gene has the symbol GPR171, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.4 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
5) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL14, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.5 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
6) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-5, wherein the gene has the symbol C1S, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.6 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
7) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-6, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCL2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.7 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
8) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-7, wherein the gene has the symbol TRBV3-1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.8 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
9) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-8, wherein the gene has the symbol TRDV2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.9 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
10) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-9, wherein the gene has the symbol RUFY3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.10 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
11) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-10, wherein the gene has the symbol DOCK8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.11 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
12) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-11, wherein the gene has the symbol GCH1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.12 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
13) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-12, wherein the gene has the symbol CENTD3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.13 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
14) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-13, wherein the gene has the symbol ACSL5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.14 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
15) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-14, wherein the gene has the symbol AMICA1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.15 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
16) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-15, wherein the gene has the symbol IL2RG, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.16 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
17) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-16, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFAIP3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.17 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
18) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-17, wherein the gene has the symbol PSCDBP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.18 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
19) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-18, wherein the gene has the symbol ESR1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.19 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
20) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-19, wherein the gene has the symbol TRBC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.20 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
21) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-20, wherein the gene has the symbol CD52, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.21 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
22) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-21, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC442535, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.22 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
23) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-22, wherein the gene has the symbol TRBV19, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.23 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
24) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-23, wherein the gene has the symbol IL7R, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.24 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
25) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-24, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.25 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
26) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-25, wherein the gene has the symbol NCF2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.26 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
27) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-26, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC92689, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.27 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
28) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-27, wherein the gene has the symbol GZMK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.28 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
29) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-28, wherein the gene is the one identified by probe set 235831, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.29 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
30) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-29, wherein the gene has the symbol RAB34, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.30 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
31) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-30, wherein the gene has the symbol DPT, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.31 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
32) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-31, wherein the gene has the symbol PVT1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.32 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
33) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-32, wherein the gene has the symbol TRGC2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.33 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
34) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-33, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.34 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
35) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-34, wherein the gene has the symbol CD52, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.35 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
36) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-35, wherein the gene has the symbol CD3D, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.36 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
37) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-36, wherein the gene has the symbol TMEM132C, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.37 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
38) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-37, wherein the gene has the symbol NFKBIA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.38 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
39) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-38, wherein the gene has the symbol TRA@, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.39 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
40) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-39, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAT1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.41 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
41) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-40, wherein the gene has the symbol RAB34, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.42 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
42) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-41, wherein the gene has the symbol CD69, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.43 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
43) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-42, wherein the gene has the symbol DOCK8 optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.44 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
44) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-43, wherein the gene has the symbol IRF8 optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.46 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
45) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 144, wherein the gene has the symbol KLRB1 optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.47 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
46) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-45, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 236280_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.48 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
47) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-46, wherein the gene has the symbol ITGA3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.49 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
48) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-47, wherein the gene has the symbol MAP3K8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.50 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
49) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-48, wherein the gene has the symbol Clorf162, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.51 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
50) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-49, wherein the gene has the symbol UBD, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.52 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
51) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-50, wherein the gene has the symbol TRGV9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.54 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
52) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-51, wherein the gene has the symbol NAV1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.54 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
53) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-51, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGAP9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.55 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
54) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-53, wherein the gene has the symbol TIFA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.56 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
55) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-54, wherein the gene is identified by probe number 1569942 at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.58 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
56) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-55, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.59 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
57) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-56, wherein the gene has the symbol HCLS1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.60 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
58) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-57, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKCH, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.61 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
59) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-58, wherein the gene has the symbol STAT4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.62 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
60) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-59, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DQA1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.63 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
61) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-60, wherein the gene has the symbol ADRB2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.64 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
62) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-61, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 239237_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.65 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
63) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-62, wherein the gene has the symbol CTSW, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.66 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
64) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-63, wherein the gene has the symbol MYH11, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.67 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
65) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-64, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.68 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
66) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-65, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DQB1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.69 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
67) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-66, wherein the gene has the symbol CD8A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.70 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
68) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-67, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFAIP3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.71 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
69) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-68, wherein the gene has the symbol CP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.72 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
70) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-69, wherein the gene has the symbol SMOC2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.73 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
71) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-70, wherein the gene has the symbol C20orf24, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.74 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
72) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-71, wherein the gene has the symbol C16orf54, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.75 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
73) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-72, wherein the gene has the symbol CD2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.76 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
74) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-73, wherein the gene has the symbol SLIT3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.77 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
75) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-74, wherein the gene has the symbol BAALC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.78 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
76) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-75, wherein the gene has the symbol TRIB3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.79 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
77) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-76, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC440160, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.80 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
78) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-77, wherein the gene has the symbol C6orf190, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.81 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
79) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-78, wherein the gene has the symbol TAGAP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.82 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
80) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-79, wherein the gene has the symbol FAM92A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.83 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
81) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-80, wherein the gene has the symbol PSTPIP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.84 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
82) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-81, wherein the gene has the symbol PTPRC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.85 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
83) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-82, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DRA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.86 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
84) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-83, wherein the gene has the symbol EFCAB2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.87 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
85) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-84, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFAIP8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.88 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
86) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-85, wherein the gene has the symbol SLIC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.89 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
87) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-86, wherein the gene has the symbol CD1C, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.90 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
88) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-87, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAF31P3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.91 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
89) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-88, wherein the gene has the symbol IGJ, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.96 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
90) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-89, wherein the gene has the symbol PLEK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.98 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
91) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-90, wherein the gene has the symbol TMEM44, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.100 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
92) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-91, wherein the gene has the symbol EBI2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.101 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
93) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-92, wherein the gene has the symbol SAMSN1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.102 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
94) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-93, wherein the gene has the symbol KIAA1794, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.103 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
95) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-94, wherein the gene has the symbol ALDH2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.104 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
96) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-95, wherein the gene has the symbol CDC42SE2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.105 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
97) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-96, wherein the gene has the symbol GFRA1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.106 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
98) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-97, wherein the gene has the symbol ITK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.107 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
99) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-98, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.109 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
100) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-99, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ20273, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.110 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
101) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-100, wherein the gene has the symbol PTPN6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.111 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
102) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-101, wherein the gene has the symbol PTGER3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.112 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
103) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-102, wherein the gene has the symbol RAI2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.113 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
104) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-103, wherein the gene has the symbol LGALS2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.114 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
105) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-104, wherein the gene has the symbol HMOX1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.115 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
106) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-105, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 227995 at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.116 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
107) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-106, wherein the gene has the symbol ZNFN1A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.117 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
108) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-107, wherein the gene has the symbol CSF2RB, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.118 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
109) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-108, wherein the gene has the symbol PCSK5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.119 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
110) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-109, wherein the gene has the symbol CCDC69, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.120 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
111) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-110, wherein the gene has the symbol CDC42SE2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.121 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
112) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-111, wherein the gene has the symbol GZMA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.122 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
113) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-112, wherein the gene has the symbol C3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.123 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
114) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-113, wherein the gene has the symbol C15orf48, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.125 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
115) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-114, wherein the gene has the symbol RARRES3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.126 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
116) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-115, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC283537, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.127 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
117) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-116, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCL12, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.129 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
118) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-117, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 231882_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.130 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
119) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-118, wherein the gene has the symbol SOD2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.131 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
120) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-119, wherein the gene has the symbol CTSS, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.132 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
121) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-120, wherein the gene has the symbol CTBP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.133 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
122) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-121, wherein the gene has the symbol BCL11B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.134 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
123) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-122, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL22, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.135 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
124) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-123, wherein the gene has the symbol ACSL5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.136 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
125) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-124, wherein the gene has the symbol DOC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.137 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
126) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-125, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC31A2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.138 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
127) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-126, wherein the gene has the symbol POPDC3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.139 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
128) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-127, wherein the gene has the symbol SQRDL, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.141 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
129) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-128, wherein the gene has the symbol RASGEF1B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.142 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
130) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-129, wherein the gene has the symbol FGL2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.143 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
131) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-130, wherein the gene has the symbol C10orf128, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.144 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
132) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-131, wherein the gene has the symbol IL10RA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.145 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
133) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-132, wherein the gene has the symbol EGFL6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.146 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
134) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-133, wherein the gene has the symbol IL18, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.147 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
135) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-134, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGAP30, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.148 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
136) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-135, wherein the gene has the symbol PALMD, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.149 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
137) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-136, wherein the gene has the symbol RASSF5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.150 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
138) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-137, wherein the gene has the symbol GATA3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.151 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
139) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-138, wherein the gene has the symbol DKFZP564O0823, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.152 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
140) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-139, wherein the gene has the symbol TXNIP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.154 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
141) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-140, wherein the gene has the symbol DTX4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.155 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
142) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-141, wherein the gene has the symbol DARC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.156 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
143) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-142, wherein the gene has the symbol RNASE6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.157 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
144) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-143, wherein the gene has the symbol CD86, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.158 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
145) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-144, wherein the gene has the symbol ZFP36, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.159 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
146) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-145, wherein the gene has the symbol BASP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.160 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
147) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-146, wherein the gene has the symbol CKAP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.161 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
148) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-147, wherein the gene has the symbol HCP5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.162 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
149) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-148, wherein the gene has the symbol GRB14, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.163 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
150) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-149, wherein the gene has the symbol GJA7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.164 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
151) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-150, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ14054, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.165 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
152) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-151, wherein the gene has the symbol VNN1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.166 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
153) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-152, wherein the gene has the symbol ADCY7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.167 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
154) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-153, wherein the gene has the symbol MS4A6A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.168 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
155) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-154, wherein the gene has the symbol CPA3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.169 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
156) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-155, wherein the gene has the symbol PIM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.170 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
157) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-156, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL19, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.171 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
158) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-157, wherein the gene has the symbol SYK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.172 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
159) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-158, wherein the gene has the symbol SIT1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.174 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
160) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-159, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 228812_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.175 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
161) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-160, wherein the gene has the symbol NAP1L2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.176 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
162) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-161, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL13, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.177 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
163) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-162, wherein the gene has the symbol SLA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.178 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
164) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-163, wherein the gene has the symbol NOD3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.179 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
165) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-164, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKCH, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.180 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
166) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-165, wherein the gene has the symbol TRD@, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.181 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
167) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-166, wherein the gene has the symbol BAALC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.182 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
168) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-167, wherein the gene has the symbol RP1-93H18.5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.183 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
169) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-168, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ20701, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.184 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
170) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-169, wherein the gene has the symbol SH3TC2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.185 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
171) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-170, wherein the gene has the symbol CCR2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.186 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
172) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-171, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.187 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
173) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-172, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DPA1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.189 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
174) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-173, wherein the gene has the symbol PECAM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.190 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
175) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-174, wherein the gene has the symbol AMIGO2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.192 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
176) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-175, wherein the gene has the symbol CLEC7A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.193 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
177) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-176, wherein the gene has the symbol P2RY14, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.194 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
178) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-177, wherein the gene has the symbol PIK3AP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.195 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
179) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-178, wherein the gene has the symbol ADH1B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.196 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
180) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-179, wherein the gene has the symbol TOP1MT, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.197 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
181) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-180, wherein the gene has the symbol CD276, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.199 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
182) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-181, wherein the gene has the symbol JAM2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.200 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
183) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-182, wherein the gene has the symbol C1S, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.202 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
184) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-183, wherein the gene has the symbol TGFBR3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.203 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
185) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-184, wherein the gene has the symbol ITGAL, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.204 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
186) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-185, wherein the gene has the symbol IL1R1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.206 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
187) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-186, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DRB1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.207 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
188) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-187, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.208 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
189) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-188, wherein the gene has the symbol ZC3H12D, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.209 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
190) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-189, wherein the gene has the symbol PCDH9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.210 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
191) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-190, wherein the gene has the symbol SLAMF7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.211 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
192) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-191, wherein the gene has the symbol MGC7036, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.212 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
193) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-192, wherein the gene has the symbol RGS18, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.214 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
194) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-193, wherein the gene has the symbol CD53, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.215 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
195) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-194, wherein the gene has the symbol MPEG1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.216 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
196) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-195, wherein the gene has the symbol SSBP4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.217 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
197) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-196, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 231262_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.218 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
198) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-197, wherein the gene has the symbol CDH19, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.219 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
199) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-198, wherein the gene has the symbol CTBP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.221 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
200) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-199, wherein the gene has the symbol FAM107B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.222 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
201) in another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-200, wherein the gene has the symbol IGKC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.223 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
202) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-201, wherein the gene has the symbol ITGAM, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.224 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
203) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-202, wherein the gene has the symbol CKAP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.227 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
204) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-203, wherein the gene has the symbol MGC16291, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.228 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
205) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-204, wherein the gene has the symbol DDEF2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.229 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
206) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-205, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFAIP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.230 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
207) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-206, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCL14, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.231 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
208) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-207, wherein the gene has the symbol CD209, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.232 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
209) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-208, wherein the gene has the symbol COL9A3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.233 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
210) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-209, wherein the gene has the symbol ANKRD22, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.234 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
211) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-210, wherein the gene has the symbol NCKAP1L, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.235 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
212) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-211, wherein the gene has the symbol CMKOR1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.236 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
213) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-212, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DRB5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.237 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
214) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-213, wherein the gene has the symbol LCP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.239 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
215) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-214, wherein the gene has the symbol CXXC5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.240 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
216) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-215, wherein the gene has the symbol GJA7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.241 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
217) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-216, wherein the gene has the symbol FGD2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.242 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
218) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-217, wherein the gene has the symbol MAN1A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.243 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
219) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-218, wherein the gene has the symbol C6orf115, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.245 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
220) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-219, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCL9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.247 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
221) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-220, wherein the gene has the symbol NPR3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.248 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
222) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-221, wherein the gene has the symbol FYB, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.249 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
223) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-222, wherein the gene has the symbol VCAM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.250 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
224) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-223, wherein the gene has the symbol FLI1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.251 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
225) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-224, wherein the gene has the symbol CXXC5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.252 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
226) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-225, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAM2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.254 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
227) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-226, wherein the gene has the symbol SHC4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.255 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
228) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-227, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC9A9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.256 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
229) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-228, wherein the gene has the symbol PTPRC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.257 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
230) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-229, wherein the gene has the symbol PTGER4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.258 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
231) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-230, wherein the gene has the symbol LILRB1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.259 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
232) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-231, wherein the gene has the symbol PRDM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.261 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
233) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-232, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGAP15, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.262 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
234) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-233, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC5A3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.263 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
235) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-234, wherein the gene has the symbol DOCK9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.264 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
236) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-235, wherein the gene has the symbol GPSM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.265 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
237) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-236, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.266 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
238) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-237, wherein the gene has the symbol GLIPR1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.267 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
239) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-238, wherein the gene has the symbol APOL3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.268 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
240) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-239, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DMB, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.269 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
241) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-240, wherein the gene has the symbol SYNPO2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.270 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
242) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-241, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 221651_x_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.271 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
243) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-242, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 231929_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.273 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
244) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-243, wherein the gene has the symbol CASP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.274 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
245) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-244, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKCQ, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.275 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
246) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-245, wherein the gene has the symbol IL1R2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.276 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
247) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-246, wherein the gene has the symbol CARD15, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.277 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
248) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-247, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGDIB, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.278 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
249) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-248, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DRB4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.279 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
250) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-249, wherein the gene has the symbol SART2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.280 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
251) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-250, wherein the gene has the symbol LSP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.281 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
252) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-251, wherein the gene has the symbol AMPD3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.282 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
253) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-252, wherein the gene has the symbol SEMA4F, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.283 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
254) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-253, wherein the gene has the symbol ISOC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.285 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
255) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-254, wherein the gene has the symbol HPS3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.288 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
256) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-255, wherein the gene has the symbol HOXB7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.290 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
257) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-256, wherein the gene has the symbol ZNFN1A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.291 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
258) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-257, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGAP9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.292 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
259) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-258, wherein the gene has the symbol GATA2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.293 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
260) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-259, wherein the gene has the symbol AP2B1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.294 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
261) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-260, wherein the gene has the symbol CTSC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.295 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
262) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-261, wherein the gene has the symbol PLK2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.296 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
263) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-262, wherein the gene has the symbol CD4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.297 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
264) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-263, wherein the gene has the symbol GGTA1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.298 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
265) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-264, wherein the gene has the symbol GADD45B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.300 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
266) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-265, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ10847, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.301 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
267) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-266, wherein the gene has the symbol KIF21B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.302 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
268) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-267, wherein the gene has the symbol CCND2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.303 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
269) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-268, wherein the gene has the symbol PRG1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.304 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
270) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-269, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC40A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.307 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
271) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-270, wherein the gene has the symbol CRIP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.308 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
272) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-271, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC283070, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.309 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
273) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-272, wherein the gene has the symbol SIGLEC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.310 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
274) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-273, wherein the gene has the symbol ZNF11B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.311 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
275) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-274, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCR4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.312 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
276) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-275, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DMA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.313 to 4.488 identified in Table 4
277) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-276, wherein the gene has the symbol MRC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.315 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
278) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-277, wherein the gene has the symbol LMO2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.315a to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
279) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-278, wherein the gene has the symbol DENND2D, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.316 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
280) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-279, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL18, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.317 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
281) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-280, wherein the gene has the symbol P2RY13, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.319 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
282) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-281, wherein the gene has the symbol ANGPTL1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.320 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
283) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-282, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 230391_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.322 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
284) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-283, wherein the gene has the symbol C8orf51, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.323 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
285) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-284, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.324 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
286) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-285, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 2277880_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.325 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
287) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-286, wherein the gene has the symbol JAK2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.326 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
288) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-287, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFSF10, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.327 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
289) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-288, wherein the gene has the symbol C1R, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.328 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
290) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-289, wherein the gene has the symbol ACPL2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.329 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
291) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-290, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFRSF19, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.331 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
292) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-291, wherein the gene has the symbol LRP12, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.332 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
293) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-292, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 1557116_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.334 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
294) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-293, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKCB1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.335 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
295) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-294, wherein the gene has the symbol IPO11, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.336 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
296) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-295, wherein the gene has the symbol DLGAP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.337 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
297) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-296, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKAR2B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.338 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
298) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-297, wherein the gene has the symbol MAP3K8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.339 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
299) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-298, wherein the gene has the symbol EVI2B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.340 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
300) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-299, wherein the gene has the symbol GBP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.341 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
301) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-300, wherein the gene has the symbol CXCL10, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.342 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
302) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-301, wherein the gene has the symbol CAMK2N1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.343 to 4.488 identified in Table 4
303) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-302, wherein the gene has the symbol MED12L, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.344 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
304) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-303, wherein the gene has the symbol ID2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.345 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
305) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-304, wherein the gene has the symbol CTBP2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.346 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
306) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-305, wherein the gene has the symbol IGLJ3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.347 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
307) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-306, wherein the gene has the symbol GBP4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.348 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
308) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-307, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC439949, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.349 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
309) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-308, wherein the gene has the symbol FBXO16, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.350 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
310) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-309, wherein the gene has the symbol PRF1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.351 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
311) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-310, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAM2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.352 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
312) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-311, wherein the gene has the symbol LYN, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.353 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
313) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-312, wherein the gene has the symbol CENTD1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.355 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
314) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-313, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ20273, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.356 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
315) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-314, wherein the gene has the symbol TFEC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.357 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
316) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-315, wherein the gene has the symbol PPP1R16B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.358 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
317) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-316, wherein the gene has the symbol CD48, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.359 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
318) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-317, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-DPB1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.361 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
319) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-318, wherein the gene has the symbol GTPBP5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.362 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
320) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-319, wherein the gene has the symbol GBP5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.363 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
321) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-320, wherein the gene has the symbol MAP B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.364 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
322) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-321, wherein the gene has the symbol EXTL3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.365 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
323) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-322, wherein the gene has the symbol CORO1A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.366 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
324) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-323, wherein the gene has the symbol PDGFRL, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.367 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
325) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-324, wherein the gene has the symbol RP9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.368 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
326) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-325, wherein the gene has the symbol RHOU, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.369 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
327) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-326, wherein the gene has the symbol MTAC2D1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.370 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
328) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-327, wherein the gene has the symbol CCL8, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.371 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
329) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-328, wherein the gene has the symbol CECR1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.373 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
330) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-329, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC40A1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.374 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
331) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-330, wherein the gene has the symbol ADCY6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.375 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
332) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-331, wherein the gene has the symbol CP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.376 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
333) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-332, wherein the gene has the symbol EDG1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.377 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
334) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-333, wherein the gene has the symbol RGS3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.379 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
335) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-334, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 228339_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.380 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
336) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-335, wherein the gene has the symbol ABHD5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.381 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
337) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-336, wherein the gene has the symbol MS4A7, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.382 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
338) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-337, wherein the gene has the symbol PRKCH, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.384 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
339) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-338, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC286071, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.385 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
340) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-339, wherein the gene has the symbol BLNK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.386 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
341) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-340, wherein the gene is identifiable by the probe set number 242546 at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.387 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
342) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-341, wherein the gene has the symbol PCDHGC3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.390 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
343) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-342, wherein the gene has the symbol CAMSAP1L1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.391 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
344) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-343, wherein the gene has the symbol NPY1R, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.392 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
345) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-344, wherein the gene has the symbol CD274, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.393 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
346) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-345, wherein the gene has the symbol PGM5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.394 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
347) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-346, wherein the gene has the symbol PLCG2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.395 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
348) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-347, wherein the gene has the symbol TNFSF10, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.397 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
349) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-348, wherein the gene has the symbol BTG2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.398 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
350) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-349, wherein the gene has the symbol LAMP3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.399 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
351) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-350, wherein the gene has the symbol IGLC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.400 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
352) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-351, wherein the gene has the symbol SIPA1L1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.401 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
353) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-352 wherein the gene has the symbol AIF1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.402 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
354) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-353, wherein the gene has the symbol IGLC2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.403 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
355) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-354, wherein the gene has the symbol B2M, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.404 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
356) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-355, wherein the gene has the symbol CLEC7A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.405 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
357) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-356, wherein the gene has the symbol MGC17330, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.406 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
358) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-357, wherein the gene has the symbol IGF1R, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.407 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
359) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-358, wherein the gene has the symbol HIVEP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.408 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
360) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-359, wherein the gene has the symbol FKBP14, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.409 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
361) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-360, wherein the gene has the symbol LAPTM5, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.410 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
362) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-361, wherein the gene has the symbol AB13BP, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.411 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
363) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-362, wherein the gene has the symbol HLA-E, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.412 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
364) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-363, wherein the gene has the symbol ARLAC, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.413 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
365) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-364, wherein the gene has the symbol ASS, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.415 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
366) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-365, wherein the gene has the symbol ITGB3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.417 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
367) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-366, wherein the gene has the symbol SYK, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.417 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
368) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-366, wherein the gene has the symbol RAC2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.418 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
369) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-368, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 1557222_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.419 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
370) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-369, wherein the gene has the symbol CD3G, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.420 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
371) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-370, wherein the gene has the symbol IGF1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.421 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
372) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-371, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 228858_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.422 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
373) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-372, wherein the gene is has the symbol CYB5A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.423 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
374) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-373, wherein the gene is has the symbol TTC25, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.424 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
375) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-374, wherein the gene is has the symbol SLAMF6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.425 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
376) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-375, wherein the gene is has the symbol ARHGAP21, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.426 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
377) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-376, wherein the gene is has the symbol FLOT1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.428 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
378) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-377, wherein the gene is has the symbol IBRDC2 optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.429 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
379) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-378, wherein the gene is has the symbol KIAA1794, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.430 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
380) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-379, wherein the gene is has the symbol OLFML1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.431 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
381) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-380, wherein the gene is has the symbol GMFG, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.432 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
382) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-381, wherein the gene is has the symbol TNFRSF1B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.433 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
383) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-382, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 217629_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.434 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
384) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-383, wherein the gene is has the symbol DEF6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.436 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
385) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-384, wherein the gene is has the symbol MAP4K4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.437 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
386) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-385, wherein the gene is has the symbol CMKOR1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.438 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
387) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-386, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 1563461_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.439 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
388) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-387, wherein the gene is has the symbol CHKA, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.440 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
389) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-388, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 226865_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.441 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
390) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-389, wherein the gene has the symbol HS3ST3B1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.442 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
391) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-390, wherein the gene has the symbol CXorf9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.443 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
392) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-391, wherein the gene has the symbol EVI2A, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.445 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
393) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-392, wherein the gene has the symbol NFAM1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.446 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
394) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-393, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 242874_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.447 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
395) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-394, wherein the gene has the symbol ATP5J, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.450 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
396) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-395, wherein the gene has the symbol CYLD, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.451 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
397) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-396, wherein the gene has the symbol GIMAP6, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.452 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
398) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-397, wherein the gene has the symbol MFAP4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.453 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
399) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-398, wherein the gene has the symbol TUBB2B, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.454 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
400) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-399, wherein the gene has the symbol NELL2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.455 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
401) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-400, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 236583_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.456 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
402) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-401, wherein the gene has the symbol IL1RN, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.457 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
403) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-402, wherein the gene has the symbol KIAA1211, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.459 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
404) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-403, wherein the gene has the symbol ADAMDEC1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.460 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
405) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-404, wherein the gene has the symbol AOC3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.461 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
406) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-405, wherein the gene has the symbol SAMHD1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.463 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
407) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-406, wherein the gene has the symbol SLC22A3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.465 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
408) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-407, wherein the gene has the symbol IGLV3-25, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.466 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
409) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-408, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 1556185_a_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.467 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
410) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-409, wherein the gene has the symbol RAB11FIP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.468- to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
411) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-410, wherein the gene has the symbol PER2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.469 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
412) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-411, wherein the gene has the symbol TTL, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.470 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
413) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-412, wherein the gene has the symbol SIAHBP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.472 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
414) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-413, wherein the gene has the symbol FLJ22536, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.473 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
415) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-414, wherein the gene has the symbol RP6-213H19.1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.474 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
416) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-415, wherein the gene is identifiable by probe set number 235804_at, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.475 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
417) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-416, wherein the gene has the symbol NCF4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.476 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
418) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-417, wherein the gene has the symbol EPSTI1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.477 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
419) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-418, wherein the gene has the symbol LOC441212, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.478 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
420) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-419, wherein the gene has the symbol ANK3, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.479 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
421) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-420, wherein the gene has the symbol PCDH9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.480 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
422) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-421, wherein the gene has the symbol C21orf86, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.481 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
423) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-422, wherein the gene has the symbol DHRS9, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.482 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
424) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-423, wherein the gene has the symbol ARHGAP25, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.483 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
425) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-424, wherein the gene has the symbol TRAF4, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.484 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
426) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-425, wherein the gene has the symbol LST1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.485 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
427) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-426, wherein the gene has the symbol PALMD, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.486 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
428) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-427, wherein the gene has the symbol TAP1, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.487 to 4.488 identified in Table 4.
429) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-428, wherein the gene has the symbol MSX2, optionally in combination with one or more genes labeled as 4.448 identified in Table 4.
430) In another aspect the invention employs one or more genes according to any one of paragraphs 1-429, wherein the gene has the symbol SIRPG.
In one aspect the invention employs a gene listed in Table 7.
In one aspect the invention employs one or more genes selected from Table 9.
In one aspect the invention employs one or more genes selected from Table 11.
In one aspect the invention employs one or more genes selected from Table 12.
In one aspect the invention provides one or more genes selected from Table 13.
PCR is a more sensitive technique than microarray and therefore can detect lower levels of differentially expressed genes.
In particular the following genes are suitable for PCR analysis: IL7R, CD3D, CD3E, CD52, UBD, GPR171, GMZK, PRKCQ, STAT4, TRDV2, TRAT1, TRBV19, CD69, INDO, CD45R, CD45RO, FOXP3, CD20, CCL5, FASLG, GNLY, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, ICOS, TBX21, CD8A, CD3E, CXCL10, CXCL11, IRF1, TLR7 and CXCR3.
In one aspect the gene(s) employed are selected from the group comprising or consisting of: CCL5, TRAT1, STAT4, PRKCQ, GPR171, UBD, CD52, CD3D, PRF1, CD8A, CXCL10, CD69, TRBV19, TRDV2, IL7R, GZMK and CD45R.
In one aspect the gene(s) employed are selected from the comprising or consisting of: FASLG, GNLY, GZMB, IFNG, ICOS, TBX21, CD3E, CXCL11, CXCR3, CD20, FOXP3, INDO, IRF1 and TLR7.
The gene(s) FOXP3 and/or PRF1 is/are particularly suitable for PCR analysis according to the invention.
Suitable targets for immunohistochemistry include CD3, CD8, CD86, LAMP, CD20, CD45RO, CXCR3, CXL10/11, CD69, granzyme B, IDO, B cells and gene products from one or more genes from the NK family, HLA family, T cell receptor family and/or activated T cell.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a gene signature indicative of a non-responder, for example wherein one or more of immune genes such as those listed herein are NOT differentially expressed and/or are down regulated and/or are NOT upregulated.
In one aspect the gene is NOT FOXP3.
According to a further aspect the present invention provides a gene signature indicative of an increased likelihood of a patients responding favourably to appropriate immunotherapy, which in turn is likely to result in an improved survival of patients, for example with Mage expressing cancers following treatment with Mage specific immunotherapy. This gene signature, of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes from the genes disclosed in Table 1, is characterised by differential expression compared to the gene signature of Mage-expressing tumour patients who do not respond to Mage antigen specific cancer immunotherapy.
In one aspect the invention provides a profile based on differential expression of 1 or more of 62 known genes that relate to immune infiltration and activation.
The predictive genes correspond mainly to expression of and often upregulation of genes related to immune infiltration and activation. These genes include HLA class II, Interleukin-2 receptor gamma, T cell receptor genes (TRBV19, TRAT1, TRGC2), granzyme, and CD69.
In one embodiment there is provided a gene signature, present in patients, for example with or who have had MAGE-expressing tumours, who respond to treatment, in which one or more, for example at least 5, suitably 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 of the genes of Table 2 are differentially expressed:
As shown in
The invention herein extends to use of all permutations of the genes listed herein for identification of said signature/profile.
The invention also extends to embodiments according to the invention described herein, which comprise, consist essentially of, or consists of the components/elements described.
The invention extends to the functional equivalents of genes listed herein, for example as characterised by hierarchical classification of genes such as described by Hongwei Wu et al 2007 (Hierarchical classification of equivalent genes in prokaryotes-Nucliec Acid Research Advance Access).
Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that is not necessarily the gene per se that is characteristic of the signature but rather it is the gene function which is fundamentally important. Thus a functionally equivalent gene to an immune activation gene such as those listed above, for example in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13 may be employed in the signature, see for example, Journal of the National Cancer Institute Vol 98, No. 7 Apr. 5, 2006.
The genes were identified by specific probes and thus a skilled person will understand that the description of the genes above is a description based on current understanding of what hybridises to the probe. However, regardless of the nomenclature used for the genes by repeating the hybridisation to the relevant probe under the prescribed conditions the requisite gene can be identified.
The invention extends to use of the profile(s) according to the invention for predicting or identifying a patient as a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy, such as cancer immunotherapy, for example cancer testis immunotherapy.
Thus the invention includes a method of analyzing a patient derived sample, based on differential expression of the profile/gene(s) according to the invention for the purpose of characterising the patient from which the sample was derived as a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy. In one aspect the invention provides a method of identifying a profile according to the invention comprising the steps:
Suitable standards are described above.
The present invention therefore, generally relates, in one aspect, to a method for the detection of a gene signature in a biological sample, the method comprising the analysis of the expression of one or more genes of Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13, for example at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2021, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes (eg for genes set forth in Table 1). In an embodiment, the analysis comprises the expression of at least 5, suitably 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 genes set forth in Table 2.
In one aspect the invention provides a method for measuring expression levels of polynucleotides from immune activation genes such as one or more genes listed in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 in a sample for the purpose of identifying if the patient, from whom the sample was derived, is likely to be a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy such a cancer immunotherapy comprising the steps:
In one embodiment, the diagnostic method comprises determining whether a subject expresses any of the gene products of the genes set forth in Table 1 or any other embodiment of the invention described herein by, for example, detecting the level of the corresponding mRNA and/or protein level of the gene products of the genes set forth in Table 1 etc. For example, by using techniques such as by Northern blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, immunoprecipitation, Western blot hybridization, or immunohistochemistry. According to the method, cells may be obtained from a subject and the levels of the protein, or mRNA, of the analyzed genes, compared to that of a non-responder patient. Patients who differentially express one or more, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or another embodiment of the invention are those which can be predicted to benefit from immunotherapy, for example cancer immunotherapy, such as Mage antigen specific cancer immunotherapy. For example, a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to a given location on a microarray is said to be differentially expressed if the hybridization signal is, for example, higher than the hybridization signal at the same location on an identical array hybridized with a nucleic acid sample obtained from a subject that does not clinically respond to Mage specific immunotherapy.
The results of 30 patients who have been subjected to gene profiling are shown in
Alternatively the cancer patient may be characterised as a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy from a visual inspection of a tissue section derived from the cancer or tumour. A responder is likely to be a patient with an infiltration of immune response cells into the cancer/tumour microenvironment.
The invention also provides a method of generating a new gene profile not specifically recited herein, based on differential expression of one or more immune response/activation genes, for indicating whether a patient is likely to be a responder or non-responder to appropriate immunotherapy, for example cancer immunotherapy such as Mage immunotherapy comprising the steps:
After the new profile has been identified the invention also extends to analysis of a previously uncharacterised sample, designating same as responders or non-responders (as appropriate) and if desired administering a therapeutically effective amount of an appropriate immunotherapy, for example cancer immunotherapy such as Mage immunotherapy to one or more patients designated as responders.
The invention also provides a method of generating a gene profile based on differential expression of one or more gene sequences recited in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 for indicating whether a patient is likely to be a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy comprising the steps:
After the profile has been identified the invention also extends to analysis of a previously uncharacterised sample, designating same as responders or non-responders (as appropriate) and if desired administering a therapeutically effective amount of an appropriate immunotherapy, for example cancer immunotherapy such as Mage immunotherapy to one or more patients designated as responders.
The invention provides a diagnostic kit comprising at least one component for performing an analysis on a patient derived sample to identify a profile according to the invention, the results of which may be used to designate a patient from which the sample was derived as a responder or non-responder to immunotherapy.
The kit may comprise materials/reagents for PCR (such as QPCR), microarray analysis, immunohistochemistry or other analytical technique that may be used for accessing differential expression of one or more genes.
The invention also provides a diagnostic kit comprising a set of probes capable of hybridising to the mRNA or cDNA of one or more, such as at least 5 genes as set forth in Table 1 or alternatively Tables 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13, for example a diagnostic kit comprising a set of probes capable of hybridising to the mRNA or its cDNA of at least 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes as set forth in Table 1.
In another embodiment this invention relates to diagnostic kits. For example, diagnostic kits containing such microarrays comprising a microarray substrate and probes that are capable of hybridising to mRNA or cDNA expressed from, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes from, for example Table 1 or any other embodiment of the invention that are capable of demonstrating the gene signature of the invention.
In one aspect the invention provides microarrays adapted for identification of a signature according to the invention.
The invention also extends to substrates and probes suitable for hybridising to an mRNA or cDNA moiety expressed from one or more genes employed in the invention, for example from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13.
Commercially available microarrays contain many more probes than are required to characterise the differential expression of the genes under consideration at any one time, to aid the accuracy of the analysis. Thus one or more probe sets may recognise the same gene.
Thus in one embodiment multiple probes or probe sets are used to identify if an immune activation gene is differentially expressed, such as upregulated.
The diagnostic kit may, for example comprise probes, which are arrayed in a microarray. Specifically, prepared microarrays, for example, containing one or more probe sets described herein can readily be prepared by companies such as Affymetrix, thereby providing a specific test and optionally reagents for identifying the profile, according to the invention.
In an embodiment the microarrays or diagnostic kits will additionally be able to test for the presence or absence of the relevant cancer testis antigen expressing gene such as the Mage gene. Thus in one aspect the invention provides a probe and/or probe set suitable for said hybridisation, under appropriate conditions. The invention also extends to use of probes, for example as described herein or functional equivalents thereof, for the identification of a gene profile according to the present invention.
The invention herein described extends to use of all permutations of the probes listed herein (or functional analogues thereof) for identification of the said signature.
In one aspect the invention provides use of a probe for the identification of differential expression of at least one gene product of an immune activation gene for establishing if a gene profile according to the present invention is present in a patient derived sample.
Table 1B discloses probe sets from which probes of typically 25 mer in length may be designed and which are suitable for identifying the mRNA (or its cDNA) expressed from, for example the genes of Table 1 (or alternatively Table 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13). Such probes and probe sets are an aspect of the invention. Typically each probe set may comprise about or exactly 11 individual sequences of about or exactly 25 nucleotides, which correspond precisely to a run of sequences from the probe set.
Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention relates to oligonucleotide probes and primers capable of recognising the mRNA (or its cDNA) expressed from the genes from Table 1, (or alternatively Table 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13) and diagnostic kits based on these probes and primers. Such kits may include probes or kits for the detection of a Mage gene.
In an aspect the invention provides a profile based on the differential expression of one or more of the genes of Table 3 identifiable by one or more of following 13 probes: 204661_at, 205890_at, 206118_at, 206666_at, 207651_at, 210038_at, 210972_x_at, 211144_x_at, 211796_s_at, 213193_x_at, 213539_at, 217147_s_at, 34210_at.
Further details of these probes and the target genes of the same are given in Table 3A below. Hybridisation will generally be preformed under stringent conditions, such as 3×SSC, 0.1% SDS, at 50° C.
Once the target gene(s)/profile has/have been identified then it is well within the skilled person's ability to design alternative probes that hybridise to the same target. Therefore the invention also extends to probes, which under appropriate conditions measure the same differential expression of the gene(s) of the present invention to provide a signature/profile as described.
The invention also extends to use of the relevant probe in analysis of whether a cancer patient will be a responder or non-responder to treatment with an appropriate immunotherapy.
The invention also extends to use (and processes employing same) of known microarrays for identification of said signature.
A nucleic acid probe may be at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 75, 100 or more nucleotides in length and may comprise the full length gene. Probes for use in the invention are those that are able to hybridise specifically to the mRNA (or its cDNA) expressed from the genes listed in Table 1 (or Table 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13) under stringent conditions.
The present invention further relates to a method of screening the effects of a drug on a tissue or cell sample comprising the step of analysing the expression profile of, for example 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or any other embodiment of the invention described herein before and after drug treatment. The invention therefore provides a method for screening for a drug, which would alter the gene profile to that of a patient having improved survival following treatment with, for example, Mage antigen specific cancer immunotherapy (ie. to alter the gene profile to that of a responder), to enable the patient to benefit from, for example, Mage antigen specific cancer immunotherapy.
The present invention further provides a method of patient diagnosis comprising, for example, the step of analysing the expression profile of, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or any other embodiment of the invention described herein and comparing it with a standard to diagnose whether the patient would benefit from Mage specific immunotherapy.
The invention includes a method of patient diagnosis comprising the step of analysing the expression profile of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or other embodiment of the invention from a tumour tissue sample given by a patient and assessing whether 5 or more of said genes are expressed.
Thus in clinical applications, tissue samples from a human patient may be screened for the presence and/or absence of the expression of, for example 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or any other embodiment of the invention described herein.
In the context of the present invention, the sample may be of any biological tissue or fluid derived from a patient potentially in need of treatment. The sample maybe derived from sputum, blood, urine, or from solid tissues such as biopsy from a primary tumour or metastasis, or from sections of previously removed tissues.
Samples could comprise or consist of, for example, needle biopsy cores, surgical resection samples or lymph node tissue. These methods include obtaining a biopsy, which is optionally fractionated by cryostat sectioning to enrich tumour cells to about 80% of the total cell population. In certain embodiments, nucleic acids extracted from these samples may be amplified using techniques well known in the art. The levels of selected markers (eg the gene products of table 1) can be detected and can be compared with statistically valid groups of, for example, Mage positive non responder patients.
For cancer, the biological sample will contain cancer or tumour cells and may, for example, be derived from the cancer or tumour such as a fresh sample (including frozen samples) or a sample that has been preserved in paraffin. Having said this, samples preserved in paraffin can suffer from degradation and the profile observed may be modified. A person working the in field is well able to compensate of these changes observed by recalibrating the parameters of the profile.
A microarray is an array of discrete regions, typically nucleic acids, which are separate from one another and are typically arrayed at a density of between, about 100/cm2 to 1000/cm2, but can be arrayed at greater densities such as 10000/cm2. The principle of a microarray experiment, is that mRNA from a given cell line or tissue is used to generate a labeled sample typically labeled cDNA, termed the ‘target’, which is hybridized in parallel to a large number of, nucleic acid sequences, typically DNA sequences, immobilised on a solid surface in an ordered array. Tens of thousands of transcript species can be detected and quantified simultaneously. Although many different microarray systems have been developed the most commonly used systems today can be divided into two groups, according to the arrayed material: complementary DNA (cDNA) and oligonucleotide microarrays. The arrayed material has generally been termed the probe since it is equivalent to the probe used in a northern blot analysis. Probes for cDNA arrays are usually products of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated from cDNA libraries or clone collections, using either vector-specific or gene-specific primers, and are printed onto glass slides or nylon membranes as spots at defined locations. Spots are typically 10-300 μm in size and are spaced about the same distance apart. Using this technique, arrays consisting of more than 30,000 cDNAs can be fitted onto the surface of a conventional microscope slide. For oligonucleotide arrays, short 20-25mers are synthesized in situ, either by photolithography onto silicon wafers (high-density-oligonucleotide arrays from Affymetrix or by ink-jet technology (developed by Rosetta Inpharmatics, and licensed to Agilent Technologies). Alternatively, presynthesized oligonucleotides can be printed onto glass slides. Methods based on synthetic oligonucleotides offer the advantage that because sequence information alone is sufficient to generate the DNA to be arrayed, no time-consuming handling of cDNA resources is required. Also, probes can be designed to represent the most unique part of a given transcript, making the detection of closely related genes or splice variants possible. Although short oligonucleotides may result in less specific hybridization and reduced sensitivity, the arraying of presynthesized longer oligonucleotides (50-100mers) has recently been developed to counteract these disadvantages. Thus in performing a microarray to ascertain whether a patient presents with a gene signature of the present invention, the following steps are performed: obtain mRNA from the sample and prepare nucleic acids targets, contact the array under conditions, typically as suggested by the manufactures of the microarray (suitably stringent hybridisation conditions such as 3×SSC, 0.1% SDS, at 50° C.) to bind corresponding probes on the array, wash if necessary to remove unbound nucleic acid targets and analyse the results.
It will be appreciated that the mRNA may be enriched for sequences of interest such as those in Table 1 or 2 (or other embodiment of the invention) by methods known in the art, such as primer specific cDNA synthesis. The population may be further amplified, for example, by using PCR technology. The targets or probes are labeled to permit detection of the hybridisation of the target molecule to the microarray. Suitable labels include isotopic or fluorescent labels which can be incorporated into the probe.
In an alternative embodiment, a patient may be diagnosed to ascertain whether his/her tumor expresses the gene signature of the invention utilising a diagnostic kit based on PCR technology, in particular Quantative PCR (For a review see Ginzinger D Experimental haematology 30 (2002) p 503-512 and Giuliette et al Methods, 25 p 386 (2001).
In an alternative aspect the invention provides a method further comprising the steps of analyzing a tumour derived sample to determine which antigen(s) are expressed by the tumour and hence enabling administration of an a therapeutically effective amount of an appropriate antigen specific cancer immunotherapeutic, for example where the tumour is found to be MAGE (such as Mage A3) positive, appropriate treatment may, for example, include administration of Mage A3 antigen specific immunotherapy.
A sample such as tumour tissue of a patient is deemed to present the gene signature of the invention if one or more genes of Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13 are differentially expressed (such as upregulated), for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes from for example Table 1 or other embodiment of the invention are expressed and can be detected by microarray analysis or other appropriate analysis for example as described herein. The tumour tissue preferably shows expression of at least 5 genes selected from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and/or 13, more preferably 10 genes, particularly 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 genes from Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 or 13.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of treating a responder patient with an appropriate immunotherapy, for example cancer immunotherapy such as cancer testis immunotherapy, after identification of the same as a responder thereto.
Thus the invention provides a method of treating a patient comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an appropriate immunotherapy (for example cancer immunotherapy, such as Mage cancer immunotherapy), after first characterising the patient as a responder based on differential expression of at least one immune activation gene, for example as shown by appropriate analysis of a sample derived from the patient. In particular wherein the patient is characterised as a responder based on one or more embodiments described herein.
In one aspect the immunotherapy comprises an appropriate adjuvant (immunostimulant), see description below.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of treating a patient suffering from, for example, a Mage expressing tumour, the method comprising determining whether the patient expresses the gene signature of the invention and then administering, for example, a Mage specific immunotherapeutic. In a further embodiment, the patient is treated with, for example, the Mage specific immunotherapy to prevent or ameliorate recurrence of disease, after first receiving treatment such as resection by surgery of any tumour or other chemotherapeutic or radiotherapy treatment.
A further aspect of the invention is a method of treating a patient suffering from a Mage expressing tumour, the method comprising determining whether the patient's tumour expresses at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2021, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 (or other embodiment of the invention) from a tumour tissue sample given by a patient and then administering a Mage specific immunotherapeutic to said patient.
Also provided is a method of treating a patient susceptible to recurrence of Mage expressing tumour having been treated to remove/treat a Mage expressing tumour, the method comprising determining whether the patient's tumour expresses at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 (or other embodiment of the invention) from a tumour tissue sample given by a patient and then administering a Mage specific immunotherapeutic.
The invention also provides as method of treatment or use employing:
The invention also extends to use of an immunotherapy such as a cancer immunotherapy, in particular Mage immunotherapy in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a patient such as a cancer patient designated as a responder, thereto.
It was observed that one patient initially characterised as a non-responder was subsequently characterised as responder after radiation therapy. Interestingly the inventors also believe that it may be possible to induce a responders profile in at least some non-responders, for example by subjecting the patient to radiation therapy, or administering an inflammatory stimulant such as interferon (for example imiquimod such as administered topically) or a TLR3 (for example as described in WO 2006/054177), 4, 7, 8 or TLR 9 agonist (for example containing a CpG motif, in particular administering a high dose thereof such as 0.1 to 75 mg per Kg adminstered, for example weekly). See for example Krieg, A. M., Efler, S. M., Wittpoth, M., Al Adhami, M. J. & Davis, H. L. Induction of systemic TH 1-like innate immunity in normal volunteers following subcutaneous but not intravenous administration of CPG 7909, a synthetic B-class CpG oligodeoxynucleotide TLR9 agonist. J. Immunother. 27, 460-471 (2004).
The high dose of CpG may, for example be inhaled or given subcutaneously.
Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that the radiation therapy stimulated a systemic inflammatory response/immune response, which once triggered rendered the patient (or tumour tissue therein) more responsive to immunotherapy.
Accordingly, the invention further provides a method of inducing a responders profile by stimulating a systemic immune response, for example by administering an immunostimulant. The invention further provides the use of Mage specific immunotherapy in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of patients suffering from Mage expressing tumour or patients who have received treatment (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy) to remove/treat a Mage expressing tumour, said patient expressing the gene signature of the invention.
The immunotherapy may then be administered once the responders profile has been induced. In one aspect the invention provides use of Mage specific immunotherapy in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of patients suffering from Mage expressing tumour, said patient characterised by their tumour expressing at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1, or alternatively other embodiments of the invention.
The invention also provides use of Mage specific immunotherapy in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of patients susceptible to recurrence from Mage expressing tumour said patient characterised by their tumour expressing at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2021, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31 genes selected from Table 1 or alternatively other embodiments of the invention.
Advantageously, the invention may allow medics to target those populations of patients that will obtain a clinical benefit from receiving an appropriate immunotherapy. It is expected that after screening that at least 60% of patients such as 70, 75, 80, 85% or more of patients deemed/characterised as responders will receive a clinical benefit from the immunotherapy, which is a significant increase over the current levels observed with therapy such as cancer therapy generally.
Advantageously if the cancer immunotherapy is given concomitantly or subsequent to chemotherapy it may assist in raising the patient's immune responses, which may have been depleted by the chemotherapy.
Antigen Specific Cancer Immunotherapeutics (ASCIs) suitable for use in the invention may, for example include those capable of raising a Mage specific immune response. Such immunotherapeutics may be capable of raising an immune response to a Mage gene product, for example a Mage-A antigen such as Mage-A3. The immunotherapeutic will generally contain at least one epitope from a Mage gene product. Such an epitope may be present as a peptide antigen optionally linked covalently to a carrier and optionally in the presence of an adjuvant. Alternatively larger protein fragments may be used. For example, the immunotherapeutic for use in the invention may comprise an antigen that corresponds to or comprises amino acids 195-279 of MAGE-A1. The fragments and peptides for use must however, when suitably presented be capable of raising a Mage specific immune response. Examples of peptides that may be used in the present invention include the MAGE-3.A1 nonapeptide EVDPIGHLY [Seq. ID No 36] (see Marchand et al., International Journal of Cancer 80(2), 219-230), and the following MAGE-A3 peptides:
Alternative ASCIs include cancer testis antigens such as PRAME, LAGE 1, LAGE 2, and others, for example details of which can be obtained from www.cancerimmunity.org/CTdatabase. The cancer immunotherapy may be based, for example on one or more of the antigens discussed below.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the antigen to be used may consist or comprise a MAGE tumour antigen, for example, MAGE 1, MAGE 2, MAGE 3, MAGE 4, MAGE 5, MAGE 6, MAGE 7, MAGE 8, MAGE 9, MAGE 10, MAGE 11 or MAGE 12. The genes encoding these MAGE antigens are located on chromosome X and share with each other 64 to 85% homology in their coding sequence (De Plaen, 1994). These antigens are sometimes known as MAGE A1, MAGE A2, MAGE A3, MAGE A4, MAGE A5, MAGE A6, MAGE A7, MAGE A8, MAGE A9, MAGE A 10, MAGE A11 and/or MAGE A12 (The MAGE A family). In one embodiment, the antigen is MAGE A3.
In one embodiment, an antigen from one of two further MAGE families may be used: the MAGE B and MAGE C group. The MAGE B family includes MAGE B1 (also known as MAGE Xp1, and DAM 10), MAGE B2 (also known as MAGE Xp2 and DAM 6) MAGE B3 and MAGE B4—the Mage C family currently includes MAGE C1 and MAGE C2.
In general terms, a MAGE protein can be defined as containing a core sequence signature located towards the C-terminal end of the protein (for example with respect to MAGE A1 a 309 amino acid protein, the core signature corresponds to amino acid 195-279).
The consensus pattern of the core signature is thus described as follows wherein x represents any amino acid, lower case residues are conserved (conservative variants allowed) and upper case residues are perfectly conserved.
In general terms, substitution within the following groups are conservative substitutions, but substitutions between groups are considered non-conserved. The groups are:
In general and in the context of this invention, a MAGE protein will be approximately 50% or more identical, such as 70, 80, 90, 95 or 99% identical, in this core region with amino acids 195 to 279 of MAGE A1.
MAGE protein derivatives are also known in the art, see: WO 99/40188. Such derivatives are suitable for use in therapeutic vaccine formulations (Immunotherapeutic) which are suitable for the treatment of a range of tumour types.
Several CTL epitopes have been identified on the MAGE-3 protein. One such epitope, MAGE-3.A1, is a nonapeptide sequence located between amino acids 168 and 176 of the MAGE-3 protein which constitutes an epitope specific for CTLs when presented in association with the MHC class I molecule HLA.A1. Recently two additional CTL epitopes have been identified on the peptide sequence of the MAGE-3 protein by their ability to mount a CTL response in a mixed culture of melanoma cells and autologous lymphocytes. These two epitopes have specific binding motifs for the HLA.A2 (Van der Bruggen, 1994) and HLA.B44 (Herman, 1996) alleles respectively.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the tumour antigen may comprise or consist of one of the following antigens, or an immunogenic portion thereof which is able to direct an immune response to the antigen:
SSX-2; SSX-4; SSX-5; NA17; MELAN-A; Tyrosinase; LAGE-1; NY-ESO-1; PRAME; P790; P510; P835; B305D; B854; CASB618 (as described in WO00/53748); CASB7439 (as described in WO01/62778); C1491; C1584; and C1585.
In one embodiment, the antigen may comprise or consist of P501S (also known as prostein). The P501S antigen may be a recombinant protein that combines most of the P501S protein with a bacterial fusion protein comprising the C terminal part of protein LytA of Streptococcus pneumoniae in which the P2 universal T helper peptide of tetanus toxoid has been inserted, ie. a fusion comprising CLytA-P2-CLyta (the “CPC” fusion partner), as described in WO03/104272;
In one embodiment, the antigen may comprise or consist of WT-1 expressed by the Wilm's tumor gene, or its N-terminal fragment WT-1F comprising about or approximately amino acids 1-249; the antigen expressed by the Her-2/neu gene, or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the Her-2/neu antigen may be one of the following fusion proteins which are described in WO00/44899.
In a further embodiment, the antigen may comprise or consist of “HER-2/neu ECD-ICD fusion protein,” also referred to as “ECD-ICD” or “ECD-ICD fusion protein,” which refers to a fusion protein (or fragments thereof) comprising the extracellular domain (or fragments thereof) and the intracellular domain (or fragments thereof) of the HER-2/neu protein. In one embodiment, this ECD-ICD fusion protein does not include a substantial portion of the HER-2/neu transmembrane domain, or does not include any of the HER-2/neu transmembrane domain.
In a further embodiment, the antigen may comprise or consist of “HER-2/neu ECD-PD fusion protein,” also referred to as “ECD-PD” or “ECD-PD fusion protein,” or the “HER-2/neu ECD-ΔPD fusion protein,” also referred to as “ECD-ΔPD” or “ECD-ΔPD fusion protein,” which refers to fusion proteins (or fragments thereof) comprising the extracellular domain (or fragments thereof) and phosphorylation domain (or fragments thereof, e.g., ΔPD) of the HER-2/neu protein.
In one embodiment, the ECD-PD and ECD-ΔPD fusion proteins do not include a substantial portion of the HER-2/neu transmembrane domain, or does not include any of the HER-2/neu transmembrane domain.
In one embodiment, the antigen may comprise a Mage or other appropriate protein linked to an immunological fusion or expression enhancer partner. Fusion proteins may include a hybrid protein comprising two or more antigens relevant to a given disease or may be a hybrid of an antigen and an expression enhancer partner.
The antigen and partner may be chemically conjugated, or may be expressed as a recombinant fusion protein. In an embodiment in which the antigen and partner are expressed as a recombinant fusion protein, this may allow increased levels to be produced in an expression system compared to non-fused protein. Thus the fusion partner may assist in providing T helper epitopes (immunological fusion partner), preferably T helper epitopes recognised by humans, and/or assist in expressing the protein (expression enhancer) at higher yields than the native recombinant protein. In one embodiment, the fusion partner may be both an immunological fusion partner and expression enhancing partner.
In one embodiment of the invention, the immunological fusion partner that may be used is derived from protein D, a surface protein of the gram-negative bacterium, Haemophilus influenza B (WO 91/18926) or a derivative thereof. The protein D derivative may comprise the first ⅓ of the protein, or approximately or about the first ⅓ of the protein, in particular it may comprise the first N-terminal 100-110 amino acids or approximately the first N-terminal 100-110 amino acids.
In one embodiment the fusion protein comprises the first 109 residues (or 108 residues therefrom) or amino acids 20 to 127 of protein D.
Other fusion partners that may be used include the non-structural protein from influenzae virus, NS1 (hemagglutinin). Typically the N terminal 81 amino acids of NS1 may be utilised, although different fragments may be used provided they include T-helper epitopes.
In another embodiment the immunological fusion partner is the protein known as LytA. LytA is derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae which synthesise an N-acetyl-L-alanine amidase, amidase LytA, (coded by the LytA gene (Gene, 43 (1986) page 265-272) an autolysin that specifically degrades certain bonds in the peptidoglycan backbone. The C-terminal domain of the LytA protein is responsible for the affinity to the choline or to some choline analogues such as DEAE. This property has been exploited for the development of E. coli C-LytA expressing plasmids useful for expression of fusion proteins. Purification of hybrid proteins containing the C-LytA fragment at its amino terminus has been described (Biotechnology: 10, (1992) page 795-798). In one embodiment, the C terminal portion of the molecule may be used. The embodiment may utilise the repeat portion of the LytA molecule found in the C terminal end starting at residue 178. In one embodiment, the LytA portion may incorporate residues 188-305.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the Mage protein may comprise a derivatised free thiol. Such antigens have been described in WO 99/40188. In particular carboxyamidated or carboxymethylated derivatives may be used.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tumour associated antigen comprises a Mage-A3-protein D molecule. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for this molecule are shown in seq ID No 35. This antigen and those summarised below are described in more detail in WO 99/40188.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the tumour associated antigen may comprise any of the following fusion proteins:
A fusion protein of Lipoprotein D fragment, MAGE 1 fragment, and histidine tail; fusion protein of NS1-MAGE3, and Histidine tail; fusion protein of CLYTA-MAGE1-Histidine; fusion protein of CLYTA-MAGE3-Histidine.
A further embodiment of the present invention comprises utilising a nucleic acid immunotherapeutic, which comprises a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Mage specific tumour associated antigens as described herein. Such sequences may be inserted into a suitable expression vector and used for DNA/RNA vaccination. Microbial vectors expressing the nucleic acid may also be used as vectored delivered immunotherapeutics. Such vectors include for example, poxvirus, adenovirus, alphavirus and listeria.
Conventional recombinant techniques for obtaining nucleic acid sequences, and production of expression vectors of are described in Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor, 1982-1989.
For protein based immunotherapeutics the proteins of the present invention are provided either in a liquid form or in a lyophilised form.
It is generally expected that each human dose will comprise 1 to 1000 μg of protein, and preferably 30-300 μg.
The method(s) as described herein may comprise a composition further comprises a vaccine adjuvant, and/or immunostimulatory cytokine or chemokine.
Suitable vaccine adjuvants for use in the present invention are commercially available such as, for example, Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant and Complete Adjuvant (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.); Merck Adjuvant 65 (Merck and Company, Inc., Rahway, N.J.); AS-2 (SmithKline Beecham, Philadelphia, Pa.); aluminium salts such as aluminium hydroxide gel (alum) or aluminium phosphate; salts of calcium, iron or zinc; an insoluble suspension of acylated tyrosine; acylated sugars; cationically or anionically derivatised polysaccharides; polyphosphazenes; biodegradable microspheres; monophosphoryl lipid A and quit A. Cytokines, such as GM-CSF or interleukin-2, -7, or -12, and chemokines may also be used as adjuvants.
In formulations it may be desirable that the adjuvant composition induces an immune response predominantly of the Th1 type. High levels of Th1-type cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2 and IL-12) tend to favour the induction of cell mediated immune responses to an administered antigen. According to one embodiment, in which a response is predominantly Th1-type, the level of Th1-type cytokines will increase to a greater extent than the level of Th2-type cytokines. The levels of these cytokines may be readily assessed using standard assays. For a review of the families of cytokines, see Mosmann and Coffman, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 7:145-173, 1989. Accordingly, suitable adjuvants that may be used to elicit a predominantly Th1-type response include, for example a combination of monophosphoryl lipid A, such as 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) together with an aluminium salt. 3D-MPL or other toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands such as aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphates as disclosed in WO 98/50399, WO 01/34617 and WO 03/065806 may also be used alone to generate a predominantly Th1-type response.
Other known adjuvants, which may preferentially induce a TH1 type immune response, include TLR9 agonists such as unmethylated CpG containing oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides are characterised in that the CpG dinucleotide is unmethylated. Such oligonucleotides are well known and are described in, for example WO 96/02555.
Suitable oligionucleotides include:
CpG-containing oligonucleotides may also be used alone or in combination with other adjuvants. For example, an enhanced system involves the combination of a CpG-containing oligonucleotide and a saponin derivative particularly the combination of CpG and QS21 as disclosed in WO 00/09159 and WO 00/62800.
The formulation may additionally comprise an oil in water emulsion and/or tocopherol. Another suitable adjuvant is a saponin, for example QS21 (Aquila Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Framingham, Mass.), that may be used alone or in combination with other adjuvants. For example, an enhanced system involves the combination of a monophosphoryl lipid A and saponin derivative, such as the combination of QS21 and 3D-MPL as described in WO 94/00153, or a less reactogenic composition where the QS21 is quenched with cholesterol, as described in WO 96/33739. Other suitable formulations comprise an oil-in-water emulsion and tocopherol. A particularly potent adjuvant formulation involving QS21, 3D-MPL and tocopherol in, for example, an oil-in-water emulsion is described in WO 95/17210.
In another embodiment, the adjuvants may be formulated in a liposomal composition.
The amount of 3D-MPL used is generally small, but depending on the immunotherapeutic formulation may be in the region of 1-1000 μg per dose, preferably 1-500 μg per dose, and more preferably between 1 to 100 μg per dose.
In an embodiment, the adjuvant system comprises three immunostimulants: a CpG oligonucleotide, 3D-MPL, & QS21 either presented in a liposomal formulation or an oil in water emulsion such as described in WO 95/17210.
The amount of CpG or immunostimulatory oligonucleotides in the adjuvants or immunotherapeutics of the present invention is generally small, but depending on the immunotherapeutic formulation may be in the region of 1-1000 μg per dose, preferably 1-500 μg per dose, and more preferably between 1 to 100 μg per dose.
The amount of saponin for use in the adjuvants of the present invention may be in the region of 1-1000 μg per dose, preferably 1-500 μg per dose, more preferably 1-250 μg per dose, and most preferably between 1 to 100 μg per dose.
Generally, it is expected that each human dose will comprise 0.1-1000 μg of antigen, preferably 0.1-500 μg, preferably 0.1-100 μg, most preferably 0.1 to 50 μg. An optimal amount for a particular immunotherapeutic can be ascertained by standard studies involving observation of appropriate immune responses in vaccinated subjects. Following an initial vaccination, subjects may receive one or several booster immunisation adequately spaced.
Other suitable adjuvants include Montanide ISA 720 (Seppic, France), SAF (Chiron, Calif., United States), ISCOMS (CSL), MF-59 (Chiron), Ribi Detox, RC-529 (GSK, Hamilton, Mont.) and other aminoalkyl glucosaminide 4-phosphates (AGPs).
Accordingly there is provided an immunogenic composition for use in the method of the present invention comprising an antigen as disclosed herein and an adjuvant, wherein the adjuvant comprises one or more of 3D-MPL, QS21, a CpG oligonucleotide, a polyethylene ether or ester or a combination of two or more of these adjuvants. The antigen within the immunogenic composition may be presented in an oil in water or a water in oil emulsion vehicle or in a liposomal formulation.
In one embodiment, the adjuvant may comprise one or more of 3D-MPL, QS21 and an immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotide. In an embodiment all three immunostimulants are present. In another embodiment 3D-MPL and QS21 are presented in an oil in water emulsion, and in the absence of a CpG oligonucleotide.
A composition for use in the method of the present invention may comprise a pharmaceutical composition comprising tumour associated antigen as described herein, or a fusion protein, in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
In this on-going trial, the recMAGE-A3 protein (recombinant mage fusion protein as shown in Seq Id No 35) is combined with two different immunological adjuvants: either AS02B (QS21, MPL) or AS15 (QS21, MPL and CpG7909). The objectives were to discriminate between the adjuvants in terms of safety profile, clinical response and immunological response.
In this experiment two adjuvant compositions are made up of mixtures of two immunostimulants:
In animal models these adjuvants have been successfully shown to induce both humoral and TH1 types of cellular-mediated immune responses, including CD4 and CD8 T-cells producing IFNα (Moore et al., 1999; Gérard et al., 2001). Moreover, the injection of recombinant protein formulated in this type of adjuvant leads to the induction of a systemic anti-tumor response: indeed, vaccinated animals were shown to be protected against challenges with murine tumor cells genetically engineered to express the tumor antigen, and regressing tumors were shown to be highly infiltrated by CD8, CD4 and NK cells and by macrophages.
The second adjuvant system is AS15: it contains a third immunostimulant, namely CpG7909 (otherwise known as CpG 2006 supra), in addition to MPL and QS21, in a liposome formulation. In animal models (mainly mice), it has been shown that the addition of CpG7909 further improves the induced immune and anti-tumor responses (Krieg and Davis, 2001; Ren et al., 2004). CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) directly stimulate dendritic-cell activation through TLR9 triggering. In addition, in mice, the systemic application of CpG7909 greatly increases the infiltration of transferred T-cells into tumors (Meidenbauer et al., 2004).
1. Design
The MAGE008 trial is:
As described above, the recMAGE-A3 protein is combined with either AS02B or AS15 adjuvant system.
2. Patients Population
The recMAGE-A3 protein is administered to patients with progressive metastatic melanoma with regional or distant skin and/or lymph-node lesions (unresectable stage III and stage IV M1a). The expression of the MAGE-A3 gene by the tumor was assessed by quantitative PCR. The selected patients did not receive previous treatment for melanoma (recMAGE-A3 is given as first-line treatment) and had no visceral disease.
3. Schedule of Immunization
The method of treatment schedule for use in disease in an adjuvant (post-operative) setting may comprise administration of an antigen as described herein according to the following schedules: Administration of antigen at three week intervals for the first 5 to 8 vaccinations, followed at 3 month intervals for the next 8, 9 or more vaccinations.
The antigen may be administered at the exact time frame indicated, or the antigen may be given 1, 2, 3 or 4 days before or after the exact interval, as required or as practical. An example of this schedule is shown in the table below:
The method of treatment schedule for use in active or unresectable disease, for example in melanoma cancer, comprising: administration of an antigen as described herein at two or three week intervals for the first six months to one year of treatment. A schedule may comprise the following pattern of injections: the antigen may be given at two week intervals for the first 4 to 10 vaccinations, followed by 3 week intervals for the next 4 to 10 vaccinations, then at 6 week intervals for the next 3 to 7 vaccinations. Long term treatment may then continue with vaccinations at 3 month intervals for 3 to 5 vaccinations, followed by 6 month intervals for the next 3 to 5 vaccinations.
The antigen may be administered at the exact time frame indicated, or the antigen may be given 1, 2, 3 or 4 days before or after the exact interval, as required or as practical.
An example of this schedule is shown in the table below:
In order to screen potential participants in the above clinical trial we received biopsies of the tumor, prior to any immunization, as frozen tumor samples. From these samples we extracted RNA for the quantitative PCR. The quality of this purified RNA was extremely high and it was suitable for microarray analysis. We therefore analyzed the tumor samples by microarrays. The goal was to identify a set of genes associated with the clinical response so that patients likely to benefit from this antigen-specific cancer immunotherapeutic are properly identified and selected. Gene profiling has been performed only on biopsies from patients who signed the informed consent for microarray analysis.
30 tumor specimens (pre-vaccination) were used from the Mage008 Mage-3 melanoma clinical trial. These were fresh frozen preserved in the RNA stabilizing solution RNAlater.
Tumoral total RNA was purified using the Tripure method—Tripure extraction (Roche Cat. No. 1 667 165). The protocols provided were followed subsequently by the use of an RNeasy Mini kit—clean-up protocol with DNAse treatment (Qiagen Cat. No. 74106). http://www1.qiagen.com/literature/handbooks/PDF/RNAStabilizationAndPurification/FromAnim alAndPlantTissuesBacteriaYeastAndFungi/RNY_Mini/1035969_HB.pdf. www.roche-applied-science.com/PROD_INF/MANUALS/napi_man/pdf/chapter4/page—152-158.pdf
Quantification of RNA was initially completed using optical density at 260 nm and Quant-IT RiboGreen RNA assay kit (Invitrogen—Molecular probes R11490). http://probes.invitrogen.com/media/pis/mp11490.pdf.
The Quality of the 28s and 18s ribosomal RNA peaks were assessed by use of the Agilent bioanalyser.
Due to the small biopsy size received during the clinical study an amplification method was used in conjunction with the labeling of the RNA for microarray analysis.
The Nugen 3′ ovation biotin kit (Labelling of 50 ng of RNA—Ovation biotin system Cat; 2300-12, 2300-60) http://www.nugeninc.com/html/03_products2.html
A starting input of 50 ng of total RNA was used.
The Affymetrix HU-U133.Plus 2.0 gene chips were utilized as these were the most up to date chips (based on the human genome project) available from the supplier. These chips cover about 47,000 potential gene transcripts.
The hybridized chips were washed and scanned according to the standard Affymetrix protocols:
Affymetrix gene chip expression analysis protocols can be downloaded from http://www.affvmetrix.com/support/technical/manual/expression_manual.affx.
The scanner that has to be used with the Affymetrix microarray workstation is http://www.affymetrix.com/products/instruments/specific/scanner—3000.affx
The fluorescent scanned data was then normalized using RMA to allow comparisons between individual chips. The following reference describes this method.
Irizarry R A, Hobbs B, Collin F, Beazer-Barclay Y D, Antonellis K J, Scherf U, Speed T P. Exploration, normalization, and summaries of high density oligonucleotide array probe level data. Biostatistics. 2003 April; 4(2):249-64.
Three independent methods were used to generate gene lists to distinguish responder from non-responding patients. The methods are 1. Spotfire, 2. Baldi B H and 3. Arrayminer. The Baldi analysis method is available from the following website. http://www.igb.uci.edu/˜pfbaldi/software_and_servers.htm.
The spotfire software can be purchased from this site http://www.spotfire.com. The arrayminer software is available for purchase at http://www.optimaldesign.com/ArrayMiner/ArrayMiner.htm.
All data analysis was performed with the use of the R statistics software (available at www.r-project.org) and various Bioconductor packages for R (available at www.bioconductor.org). The raw data were pre-processed for background correction, normalisation and probe summarisation by the RMA (Irizarry R A, Hobbs B, Collin F, Beazer-Barclay Y D, Antonellis K J, Scherf U, Speed T P. Exploration, normalization, and summaries of high density oligonucleotide array probe level data. Biostatistics. 2003 April; 4(2):249-64)
The differential gene expression between any two groups was computed by two different statistical methods, the RankProduct (Breitling, R., Armengaud, P., Amtmann, A., and Herzyk, P. (2004) Rank Products: A simple, yet powerful, new method to detect differentially regulated genes in replicated microarray experiments, FEBS Letter, 57383-92) and the CyberT (P. Baldi and A. D. Long, “A Bayesian Framework for the Analysis of Microarray Expression Data: Regularized t-Test and Statistical Inferences of Gene Changes”, Bioinformatics, 17, 6, 509-519, (2001)) methods.
In each of them, a correction for multiple testing was done with the method of Benjamini-Hochberg (Y. Benjamini and Y. Hochberg, Controlling the false discovery rate: a practical and powerful approach to multiple testing, J. Roy. Stat. Soc. B 57 (1995)), and the threshold of 5% was chosen for the false discovery rate; thus, the genes had to have a corrected p-value less or equal to 0.05 to be considered as differentially expressed. Baldi-BH is equivalent to CyberT followed by Benjamini-Hochberg correction.
The results of the analysis of patient samples (from the clinical research program named Mage008) are summarized in the
As a first step, a supervised comparison was performed in order to find a group of genes able to cluster. Two patients that showed clinical response (patient 67 and 59) fell within the cluster of non-repsonders. Two patients who were non-responders (patient 3 and 39) fell within the cluster designated as responders. The responding patients are also found within cross over cluster (ie the areas of overlap in the figure). However, there are two patients who are non-responders that fall within this area of overlap.
In
This software is designed for statistical supervised gene classification in microarray experiments. A list of 100 most significant genes were identified that define the two groups. See
In
This software is classifies genes by using a “train and test” method. In this method the software first identifies a discriminant set of markers for the training classes, similar to a classical cross-validation study.
Here due to the analysis there is only the responder or non-responder cluster, with no area of overlap. Here again there is mis-classification of samples, in particular patients 59 and 67 who both responded to treatment but in this analysis were in the cluster of non-responders. Patients 3, 14, 39, 52 and 66 were non-responders but were located in the cluster for responders using this analysis.
In
The three methods were used together to find a common set of gene probes that will define the signature with high significance. A venn diagram was created comparing all of the results. See
In programs such as Arrayminer, Fold change of gene expression can be calculated. This is shown in Table 1B and is the change in average gene expression between two groups, for example responder vs non-responder. The statistical value attached to the fold change is calculated and is the more significant in genes where the level of expression is less variable between patients in each group, and difference between groups is larger.
Affymetrix arrays have 11 probe pairs available to interrogate each gene. Ideally, the signal intensity from all of these 11 probes should be equal as they all interrogate the same gene. However, there are enormous differences between individual probes in a probe set. The pattern of the probe signals in a probe set is called a “probe response pattern”. The Robust Multi-array Average” (RMA) software uses, model-based algorithms to incorporate information from multiple microarrays to calculate the expression of a gene. After proper correction for background, and quantile normalisation of the probe intensities, the probe response pattern is fitted over multiple arrays an additive model in RMA software. These algorithms use the fitted models to detect abnormally behaving probes, which are subsequently excluded for calculating gene expression. Therefore, gene expression from these model-based algorithms can be expected to provide more reproducible results. RMA use a stochastic model to estimate gene expression which is potentially a better way of estimating gene expression. Algorithms are implemented in RMA software.
As described herein, gene profiling has allowed the identification of a subset of patients likely to respond to recMAGE-A3 treatment. This subset corresponds to ˜30% of the patient population. Patients having the gene profile show far higher efficacy levels could be obtained. Indeed, with the early identification of patients susceptible for anti-MAGE-A3 immunization, the efficacy of the treatment will probably increase to levels far higher than other current cancer treatments. This may also lead to a better compliance by the patient. For example, in 100 patients with melanoma, 60 will be found to express MAGE-A3. If these patients all receive recMAGE-A3 injections, 10 out of them will respond; leading to a 15% efficacy rate. However, if gene profile is performed on the 60 MAGE-A3-expressing patients, only the 14 out of them who are predicted to be susceptible to this treatment will receive recMAGE-A3 injections. The other 46 patients will receive another treatment. 10 out of these 14 patients will respond to the treatment, leading to a 71% efficacy rate.
This gene profiling has also been performed in a NSCLC study. However, as this study is blinded, only preliminary data are available. It is thought that the signature observed in melanoma is also present in NSCLC, stages IB and II. Preliminary data suggests approximately 30% of the patients present a gene profile signature characteristic of immune response and immune cell infiltration and that suggests they will respond to ASCI treatment.
a shows the expression profiles for 31 patients of two genes.
Tumor specimens (pre-vaccination) were used from a Mage-3 melanoma clinical trial (MAGE008). These were preserved, RNA prepared, labeled and amplified as in Example 1 above. The quality of the RNA samples was checked prior to hybridization to the genechip. Only data from samples that were deemed to adequately hybridize to the genechip were used in this Example (61 samples in total).
As in the material and methods section of the first example above (referred to herein as Example 1), Affymetrix HG-U133.Plus2.0 genechips were employed, and hybridized and scanned as described therein.
The fluorescent scanned data image was processed and normalized using a R 2.3.1 [1] implementation of GCRMA algorithm [2,3].
Prior to calculation of differential expression gene expression matrix was filtered in an unspecific (i.e. independently of experimental groups) manner. 4 processes were used:
The differential expression between the groups of patients showing a clinical benefit after vaccination or not (subsequently called Responder (R) or Non-Responder (NR) groups) was calculated in R 2.3.1 program according to 2 statistical procedures:
Correction for multiple testing by controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at 5% was done under R 2.3.1 with Benjamini-Hochberg method [12] implemented in the multitest package [13].
To make the probe sets having low and high levels of expression comparable and to put an emphasis on differential profiles rather than absolute profiles, data was further normalized at the probe set level. Two gene-level normalizations schemes were used:
The 14 machine learning algorithms (or predictive rules) interfaced in MLInterfaces package [14] running under R 2.3.1 program were used to train clinical outcome predictive models and to predict the Mage008 patient clinical outcomes, under the reporter lists calculated by the unspecific filtering, differential expression, gene normalization processes. These algorithms were, knn (k-nearest neighbour, kNN, function of class package), nnet (neural network), gbm (generalized boost regression), lvq1 (learning vector quantization 1), naiveBayes (naïve bayes classifier), svm (support vector machine), lda (linear discriminant algorithm), rpart (recursive partitioning), stat.diag.da (diagonal discriminant analysis), randomforest (random forest), bagging, ipredknn (k-nearest neighbour function form ipred package, equivalent to knn form class package), slda (stabilized linear discriminant analysis), pamr (partition around medoids, also known as nearest shrunken centroid classifier). Default parameters were used for all algorithms except for kNN rule where even values of k ranging from 1 to 7 were tested.
Leave-one-out (LOO) scheme of MLinterfaces coded in the xval function was used for cross-validation when appropriate, without re-calculation of reporter list at each cross-validation loop. The misclassification rate was calculated by averaging the number of wrongly predicted samples to the total number of samples of each patient group or class (either R or NR).
Some of the MLIinterfaces interfaced predictive rules (nnet, Ida, naiveBayes) were used outside of the MLInterfaces package as direct calling to make the related classifiers usable on external data sets independently of the data used to train the models.
The MiPP algorithm [15, 16], implemented in the MiPP R library and ran under R 2.3.1, was employed to reduce the number of probe sets involved in the reporter lists. The best reporters out of the submitted list were selected as optimizing the 10-fold cross-validation of linear discriminant analysis predictions of a training set and further reduced to reporters giving an optimized global misclassification error of linear discriminant analysis predictions of a testing set. Global misclassification error or rate was calculated as the ratio of the total number of misclassified patients to the total of set patients.
A 31 sample subpart of the full 61 sample data set was used to train and test the classifying model in a first attempt; the remaining 30 samples were kept for subsequent model evaluations. Several training and testing sections were defined from the 31 sample data set subpart. The training sections were used to calculate the reporter list (i.e. the differentially expressed genes to be used in clinical outcome prediction of patient samples) and to set the machine learning algorithm weights for clinical outcome prediction. The testing sections allowed evaluation of the model performance independently of the patients used to construct the predictive model. Model evaluations were also undertaken on the training sections according to a cross-validation procedure.
Training and testing sections from the 31 sample data set subpart were defined as follows:
Gene expression data was pre-processed and normalized according to Material & Methods taking into account the full data set. Differential expressions (DE) between the Responder and Non-Responder groups were calculated for each training/testing section according to various processes.
The DE calculation framework was constructed as follows:
The processes minimizing the overall misclassification rates in both training and testing sections in at least two out of the three available training/testing stratification's were selected. The misclassification rate was obtained by comparing the predicted clinical outcome given by a kNN predictive rule to the given clinical outcome.
Seven DE processes were found as minimizing the overall misclassification rate according to the kNN rule:
The minimized overall misclassification rates for these processes were as follows:
The performances for the other training/testing stratification was not found to be informative (i.e. no DE process converging to a minimized misclassification rate), hence not mentioned.
The last process, IQR filter, t-test without correction for multiple testing, IQR normalization, was preferred since the minimized misclassification rates were obtained with a higher value of k (k=5) than other six processes (k=3). It was anticipated that working with higher values of k would facilitate the transposition of the predictive model in further settings, since high k values generate simpler models supposed to be less biased towards a training set.
This process generated a reporter list of 489 Affymetrix probe sets. The reporter list is given in Table 4A, as Affymetrix probe set identifications along with gene names and symbols.
The best DE calculation and gene expression treatment process (IQR filter, t-test without correction for multiple testing, IQR normalization) was used to build a kNN predictive model (k=5) from 13 Responders/18 Non-responders training section.
The clinical outcome of the independent patients that were previously left away was then directly predicted from this model. Of these 30 independent patients only 15 were informative (i.e. having a characterized clinical outcome). Misclassification rate was calculated on the basis on these 15 informative patients for the model evaluation.
According to this predictive model, misclassification rate was 34%, hence 66% of independent patients had their clinical outcome correctly predicted.
On the basis of the best DE (and expression normalization) process as selected with a kNN rule, further classification (predictive) rules were tried to eventually increase the predictive model performance. Beside kNN, 13 other rules were assessed. For each selected DE process that performed for the kNN rule, each further rule was trained on the 13 Responders/18 Non-responders section of the data set, its predictive performance evaluated on the training set by cross-validation and on the independent set of 30 patient samples by direct prediction. Further classification rules did not improve the misclassification rate, as assessed by cross-validation on the training set, the lowest remaining unchanged at 12% of samples miss-predicted (88% of patient assigned to their correct clinical outcome).
However, for the above mentioned preferred DE process, the neural network rule did improve the misclassification rate on the independent set of 15 informative patients out of the 30 available, by reducing it from 34%, as given by KNN rule, to 30% (i.e. one additional patient correctly predicted), while keeping it the lowest on the cross-validation evaluation of the training set. Neural network rule then allows the correct prediction of 70% of patient independently of those used to train the model.
Furthermore, in a further evaluation of the predictive modeling performance, when clinical outcomes were available for all 30 external patient samples, i.e. when all the independent patients were informative for misclassification rate calculation, the lowest misclassification error became 26%, which is 74% of patients were correctly classified. This best performance obtained on a wider data set in terms of informative sample number was given by a Ida rule. A naiveBayes rule was also able to give a 28% misclassification rate, correctly prediction the clinical outcome of 72% of patients. However, the misclassification rate using kNN and nnet rules became 35% and 41%, respectively. This performance is based on the use of the gene list and probes of Table 4A.
To make use on further metastatic melanoma samples of the exemplified neural network classifier, yielding 30% of misclassification on the 15 informative sample external set, the following R code can be used in a R session (a stastical programme):
library(nnet)
set.seed(1234)
predict(nn, data, type=“class”)
where
The naïve Bayes classifier works under the following R coding:
library(e1071)
predict(nb, data, type=“class”)
where
The MiPP algorithm was used to determine if it was possible to reduce the number of reporters involved in the IQR filter, t-test without correction for multiple testing, IQR normalization, based predictive model while keeping the same misclassification rate. Indeed, working under a shorter reporter list would be more convenient for classifier follow-up purposes for instance such as transposition from a microarray based format to a quantitative RT-PCR format.
The 489 probe set microarray data was submitted to the MiPP process: 11 classifying probe sets were selected on the 13 R/18 NR training section as being sufficient to achieve a lowest global misclassification error, and 4 probe sets out of these were further identified as minimal on the 30 informative external sample data set to obtain the lowest global misclassification rate for the independent patients.
The 4 probe set reporter list was then used in leave-one-out cross-validation predictions of the 13 R/18 NR stratification of data as training set and direct prediction the 30 informative patient section as external testing set under all 14 predictive rules. LOO performance was increased for most of the rules (being as high as 3% of misclassification rate for Ida and naiveBayes among other), while misclassification rate stayed 28% on the external data set under svm and gbm rules.
The following table depicts the identity of the genes involved in the 4 probe set model:
30 tumor specimens (pre-vaccination) were used from MAGE-A3 melanoma clinical trial (MAGE008). These were preserved and RNA extracted as in Example 1 above.
cDNA Synthesis and Quantitative PCR Amplification
2 μg of total RNA were retro-transcripted into cDNA using M-MLV reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen) and oligo(dT) or random primers.
The different interesting genes were amplified by quantitative PCR using TaqMan chemistry and 7900 sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems).
Genes were amplified using standard 96 well plates or the TaqMan® Immune Profiling Array (TaqMan Low density arrays—TLDA—Applied Biosystems). TLDA are ready to use 384 well plates pre-coated with primers and probes.
The 7900 apparatus is a fully integrated system for real-time detection of PCR including a 96-well or a TLDA thermal cycler, a laser to induce fluorescence, a charge-coupled device detector, a computer and a real-time sequence detection software.
In standard 96 well plates, cDNA corresponding to 50 ng of total RNA was amplified by polymerase-chain-reaction using the TF,TAQMAN,PCR REAGENT CORE KIT (Applied Biosystems). Primers and probes are listed in Table 5.
For the TaqMan® Immune Profiling Array, cDNA corresponding to only 1 ng of RNA was amplified by polymerase-chain-reaction using the TF,TAQMAN,PCR CORE REAGENT KIT (Applied Biosystems). The genes included in the array are listed in Table 6.
All PCR data were normalized against H3F3A (standard 96 Well plates) or the geometric mean of GUSB and PGK1 (TLDA) house keeping genes (also referred to as constant genes). Expression values were afterwards log transformed.
Analyses of variance (ANOVA1) were performed using the SAS software to significantly select the genes able to differentiate responder from non-responder groups. The first group was composed of 14 responder patients, the second one was composed of 15 non-responder patients. Each gene was analyzed independently from the others.
IL7R, CD3D, CD52, UBD, GPR171, GMZK, PRKCQ, STAT4, TRDV2, TRAT1, TRBV19, CD69, INDO1, CD45R, CD45RO, FoxP3, CD20, CCL5, FASLG, GNLY, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, ICOS, TBX21, CD8A, CD3E, CXCL10, CXCL11, IRF1, TLR7 and CXCR3 genes were selected for their capacity to differentiate both groups. The p-value was <0.00001 for every gene. For every gene, a significant difference was proven between mean (responder/non-responder). The Geomean ratios between both groups were also calculated for all genes (Table 7A) and range from 3.4 to 21.2.
A correlation matrix (Table8) was calculated between 30 genes showing that all these genes are pretty well correlated.
An analysis by logistic regression was performed using Proc logistic (SAS Sofware). Logistic regression analysis is often used to investigate the relationship between binary responses and a set of explanatory variables.
The number of predictors is too large and the use of all possible regression is not feasible. So, stepwise selection was employed. This procedure gives a model with a good value (high) for a specified criterion: Score Chi-square. This is analogous to the use of SSE or R2 in multiple linear regression.
The model information are:
The model giving the best value of score Chi-square (Chi-square=16 and pvalue <0.00001) is:
Logit (p)=7.69+5.07 log(PRF1), with p the probability to be responder
Coefficient B0 (7.69) & B1 (5.07) are significant (p<0.005)
Other criterion can be used to test goodness of fit
Like in linear regression, a R2 is computed: 0.55.
From the 111 genes, 18 (with only one predictor) are listed in the Table 9. Higher the R2(%) and chi-square score are the better the model/gene.
Using the PRF1 model, it is possible to classify correctly 86.6% of patients.
Table 10 gives the percentage of correct classification calculated using the logistic regression model for some other genes.
Combining more than 1 gene didn't improve the classification performance.
The 30 patients were also classified using the PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and neural network analysis from Genex software with the genes PRF1, GZMB, GNLY, CD8A, PRKCQ, FOXP3, IFNG, CCL5, GPR171 and TRBV19.
For the neural network analysis, 5 responder patients (Patient ID No.s 27, 53, 65, 119, 127) and 5 non responder patients (Patient ID No.s 8, 60, 66, 81, 160) were used as training set. The remaining 20 patients were used as testing set.
It can be seen the responders are clustered on the left-hand side of
The neural network approach confirms a correct classification range of 85%.
Comparison: Microarray to Q-PCR data.
17 genes (Table 12) evaluated by the Q-PCR technology were already present in the microarray gene lists. These genes are therefore able to discriminate responder from non responder patients whatever the technology used to detect them. These genes form a specific aspect of the invention.
Fourteen genes (Table 13) were able to discriminate responder from non-responder patients using Q-PCR technology were not present in the microarray gene lists. This may be due to the increased sensitivity of the Q-PCR technology compared to the microarray.
Some genes absent in the microarray signature but are known to be expressed by immunological cells and thus are also able to predict the clinical outcome of the patients.
The presence of an immune infiltration into the tumoral tissue seems to be the most important biological event to predict the clinical outcome of the patients rather than only a limited list of genes.
For example, PRF1 and CD8A are present in the microarray gene lists and are expressed by CD8 T lymphocytes. CD8 T lymphocytes express also IFNG that is absent in the microarray gene lists. Nevertheless, a good prediction of the clinical response was achieved using this gene by Q-PCR.
The number of miss-classified patients using the q-PCR data remains in the same range than clustering and KNN approaches using microarray data. Therefore different technologies and softwares can be used to classify the patients.
67 tumor specimens (pre-vaccination) were used from MAGE-A3 melanoma clinical trial (MAGE008). These were preserved, RNA prepared, quality controlled, labeled and amplified as in Example 1 above. The quality of the RNA samples was checked prior to hybridization to the genechip.
As in the material and methods section of the first example above (referred to herein as Example 1), Affymetrix HG-U133.Plus2.0 genechips were employed, and hybridized and scanned as described in Example 1.
The fluorescent scanned data image was processed and normalized using a R 2.3.1 implementation of GCRMA algorithm as described in Example 2.
41 Probe Sets were selected to discriminate responder from non responder patients using Arrayminer software described in Example 1.
Analysis parameters were:
A list of 50 probe sets was obtained. 9 Probe sets were removed due the Absence status in all samples. The intensities of the 41 probe sets for the 22 patients listed above are listed in Tables 11A and 11B.
The clinical status of the 67 patients was predicted using the hierarchical clustering approach of Spotfire software.
Data were normalized regarding the genes using a Z-score calculation available in Spotfire before performing the Hierarchical clustering.
Calculation options of the hierarchical clustering were:
This clustering was performed for patients included into the AS15 (
Using the hierarchical clustering approach, about 58% of patients have the responder signature whatever the adjuvant group.
100% and 87.5% of patients with a clinical benefit are well clustered respectively in AS15 and in AS02b groups.
71% and 52% of patients with a progressive disease are well clustered respectively in AS15 and in AS02b groups.
In the clinical benefit cluster, 28% and 55% of patients have a progressive disease respectively in AS15 and in AS02b groups. The percentage of patients with a responder gene profile according to the invention who achieved a clinical benefit to the MAGE-A3 vaccination when the AS15 adjuvant was used was larger than the percentage who achieved a clinical benefit to the MAGE-A3 vaccination when AS02b adjuvant was employed in the formulation.
Initial biopsy (sampled before irradiation) of patient 59 did not have the responder signature while his second biopsy (sampled after irradiation) had the responder signature (data not shown) suggesting that irradiation of lesions may induce the responder signature.
Homo sapiens T CELLS (JURKAT CELL LINE) COT 10-
sapiens LOC442534 (LOC442534), mRNA
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
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Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0610949.0 | Jun 2006 | GB | national |
0700761.0 | Jan 2007 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2007/004915 | 5/31/2007 | WO | 00 | 12/2/2008 |