TAT-049 AND METHODS OF ASSESSING AND TREATING CANCER

摘要

Surprisingly, the present inventors have discovered that expression of TAT- 049 protein in human patients is associated with cancer, and that the over-expressed protein is present in plasma membrane fractions. Thus, the present inventors have discovered that TAT-049 is associated with abnormal development and growth. In addition, TAT-049 polypeptides, TAT-049 nucleic acids, and antibodies to TAT-049 have been generated. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of diagnosising a TAT-049 associated disease such as cancer (e.g., lung cancer) using the TAT-049 polypeptides, TAT-049 nucleic acids, and antibodies to TAT-049 of the invention. Further, the TAT-049 polypeptides, TAT-049 nucleic acids, and antibodies to TAT-049 of the invention can be used to treat a animal suffering from a TAT-049 associated disease such as cancer (e.g., lung cancer). In other embodiments, TAT-049 polypeptides and TAT-049 nucleic acids can be used as a target for the identification of anti-cancer compounds, including antibodies for use in immunotherapy and compounds that inhibit TAT-049 expression or activity.