Cancer marker and therapeutic target

摘要

Chemokine receptor CCR4 and its ligands CCL1 7 and CCL22 are used as markers for the identification and/or staging of cancer. The level of CCR4, CCL17 and CCL22 are found to increase during malignant tumor progression. CCR4, CCL17 and CCL22 are used as markers for the stratification of cancer patients according to their suitability for treatment with anti-cancer agents. Information of diagnostic character is provided by measuring the level of one or more of CCR4, CCL 17 and CCL22 present in a patient sample. Methods of treatment of cancer patients which agents that modulate the activity of CCR4, CCL17 and CCL22. Methods of screening for agents which modulate the biological activities of CCR4, CCL 17 and CCL22 provide anti-cancer agents.

主权项

1. A method of analysis comprising the steps of:
obtaining an oesophagus tumour sample taken from a tumour of a patient; and, measuring, using an anti-CCR4 antibody, the amount and/or activity of chemokine receptor CCR4 expressed by epithelial tumour cells in the sample and comparing the amount and/or activity of CCR4 expressed by said epithelial tumor cells in said tumour sample with a reference amount and/or activity of CCR4.