Method for detecting low levels of a fusion protein

摘要

The invention relates to the detection of among others tumor-specific fusion proteins. Provided is a method for detecting a fusion protein in a sample, said fusion protein comprising an amino-terminal fragment and a carboxy-terminal fragment which are each corresponding to a native protein, said method comprising contacting said sample with at least one binding molecule specifically reactive with said native protein, wherein said binding molecule is not reactive with said fusion protein under conditions that allow the formation of a complex between said at least one binding molecule and said native protein, removing said complex from said sample to essentially deplete said sample of said native protein and detecting said fusion protein in said sample using at least one probe directed against said fusion protein.