Claims
- 1. A method for identifying a gene which is expressed at a modulated level in an aggressive cancer which comprises:
a) measuring baseline expression levels of genes in cancer cells; b) introducing into the cancer cells an expression vector which directs expression of rat PEG-3; c) measuring the expression levels of genes in the cells from step (b); and d) identifying genes, the expression of which is modulated in an aggressive cancer.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of expression levels of genes in step (a) and/or step (c) comprises measuring mRNA levels.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of expression levels of genes in step (a) and/or step (c) comprises measuring RNA levels.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the genes identified in step (d) are used for diagnosing whether a subject suffers from an aggressive form of cancer.
- 5. A method for identifying a compound which inhibits angiogenesis in a tumor which comprises:
a) contacting a cancer cell with a compound to be tested, wherein the cancer cell normally expresses PEG3 gene; b) measuring PEG3 gene expression in the cancer cell; c) determining whether PEG3 gene expression has been inhibited, wherein inhibition of PEG3 gene expression indicates the identification of a compound which inhibits angiogenesis in the tumor cell.
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the compound is a nucleic acid, a polypeptide or an organic molecule.
- 7. A method for identifying a gene which is expressed specifically in a cancer cell undergoing angiogenesis or a cancer cell which contributes to angiogenesis of a tumor which comprises:
a) measuring a baseline expression level of a gene in a cancer cell; b) introducing into the cancer cell an expression vector which directs expression of rat PEG-3; c) measuring the expression level of the gene in the cancer cell from step (b); and d) identifying a gene which shows a change in expression following introduction of the expression vector which directs expression of rat PEG-3, thereby identifying a gene which is specifically expressed in a cancer cell undergoing angiogenesis or a cancer cell which contributes to angiogenesis of a tumor.
- 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cancer cell is glioblastoma multiform cell, a CREF cell, a lymphoma cell, or an E11 cell or E11 cell derivative.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/173,114, filed Dec. 20, 1999, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Government Interests
[0002] This invention was made in part with government funds under Grants CA35675, CA73264 and GM31452 from the National Science Foundation. Therefore, the U.S. Government has certain rights in the invention.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60173114 |
Dec 1999 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/US00/34564 |
Dec 2000 |
US |
Child |
10177811 |
Jun 2002 |
US |