Claims
- 1. A method of identifying the location of premalignant or malignant breast cancer within a breast duct or breast ductal network, said method comprising:
providing a targeting molecule coupled to an identifying agent; and delivering the coupled compound through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to identify premalignant or malignant cancerous cells.
- 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the coupled compound is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the cells are identified for the purpose of excising tissue surrounding and including the cells.
- 5. A method of identifying the location of premalignant or malignant breast cancer within a breast duct or breast ductal network, said method comprising:
providing a identifying agent; and delivering the identifying agent through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to identify premalignant or malignant cancerous cells.
- 6. A method as in claim 5, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the identifying agent is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 8. A method as in claim 5, wherein the cells are identified for the purpose of excising tissue surrounding and including the cells.
- 9. A method of determining the lymph node involvement in patients diagnosed with premalignant or malignant breast cancer growths, said method comprising:
providing an identifying agent coupled to a targeting agent; and delivering the coupled compound through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to detect lymph node involvement.
- 10. A method as in claim 9, wherein detecting lymph node involvement comprises detecting the identifying agent coupled to a targeting agent in a sentinel lymph node.
- 11. A method as in claim 9, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 12. A method as in claim 9, wherein the identifying agent coupled to a targeting agent is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 13. A method of determining the lymph node involvement in patients diagnosed with premalignant or malignant breast cancer growths, said method comprising:
providing a identifying agent; and delivering the identifying agent through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to detect lymph node involvement.
- 14. A method as in claim 13, wherein detecting lymph node involvement comprises detecting the identifying agent in a sentinel lymph node.
- 15. A method as in claim 13, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 16. A method as in claim 13, wherein the identifying agent is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 17. A method of treating premalignant or malignant breast cancer, said method comprising:
providing a targeting molecule coupled to a therapeutic agent; and delivering the coupled compound through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to inhibit proliferation of the cancerous cells.
- 18. A method as in claim 17, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 19. A method as in claim 17, wherein the coupled compound is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 20. A method as in claim 17, wherein the targeting agent comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of a protein, a polypeptide, a peptide, an antibody, an antibody fragment, a ligand, a receptor, a drug, a chemical, a lipid, a liposome, a small molecule, and a nucleic acid.
- 21. A method as in claim 17, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of a cytotoxic agent, a cytolytic agent, a growth inhibiting agent, an antagonist, an agonist, and a drug or agent containing liposome.
- 22. A method as in claim 17, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an agent with therapeutic activity against cancerous or precancerous cells that can be coupled to a targeting agent.
- 23. A method of treating a premalignant or malignant breast cancer, said method comprising:
providing a targeting molecule itself having therapeutic activity; and delivering the targeting molecule through a preselected individual breast duct in an amount sufficient to inhibit proliferation of the cancerous cells.
- 24. A method as in claim 23, wherein delivering comprises cannulation or catheterization of the breast duct.
- 25. A method as in claim 23, wherein the targeting molecule is delivered to more than one duct on a breast.
- 26. A method as in claim 23, wherein the targeting molecule comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of a protein, a polypeptide, a peptide, an antibody, an antibody fragment, a ligand, a receptor, a drug, a chemical, a lipid, a liposome, a small molecule, and a nucleic acid.
- 27. A method as in claim 23, wherein the therapeutic activity is selected from the group consisting of a cytotoxicity, a cytolytic activity, growth inhibition, antagonism, an agonism, and immunotoxicity.
- 28. A method as in claim 23, wherein the therapeutic activity is effective against cancerous or precancerous cells.
- 29. A method as in claim 17 or 23, wherein the premalignant or malignant breast cancer comprises cells having a stage selected from the group consisting of hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ, high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma.
- 30. A kit for localizing or treating lesions in a breast duct, said kits comprising:
at least one catheter configured to access a ductal network in a human breast; and instructions for use setting forth a method according to any of claims 1 to 28.
- 31. A kit as in claim 30, further comprising at least one container holding a reagent which is used in the method being performed with the kit.
- 32. A kit as in claim 30, further comprising a package holding the catheter and the instructions for use.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/102,829, filed on Oct. 2, 1998, under 37 CFR §1.78(3), the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60102829 |
Oct 1998 |
US |