Methods and Compositions for Detecting, Imaging, and Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer Utilizing Post-Translationally Modified Residues and Higher Molecular Weight Antigenic Complexes in Proteins

摘要

The present invention discloses ectopically expressed isoaspartylated proteins and antigenic peptide fragments thereof as potential biomarkers for cancer such as small cell lung cancer. Also disclosed are antigen recognition agents capable of specifically recognizing and binding to isoaspartylated proteins and/or antigenic peptide fragments thereof. Antigen recognition agents of the invention may be formed from proteins, antibodies, RNA aptamers, or other small molecules capable of specifically binding to an isoaspartylated protein or an antigenic peptide fragment thereof. Other aspects disclosed herein include imaging methods for using the isoaspartyl antigen recognition agents, therapeutic methods for treating small cell lung cancer and compositions for performing the same.