Predicting cancer progression

摘要

The present invention involves early prediction of progression of a cancer disease in patients treated for cancer. According to the invention the binding response level of an immunoreactive material (IM) comprising thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) protein is determined in a body fluid sample of a patient and the likelihood of progress of the cancer disease is estimated based directly on this determined IM binding response level. Those patients that run a risk of cancer progress and tumor relapse 1-15 years after the cancer treatment may be identified directly by the IM binding response level according to the invention within a few months following initiation of the treatment.