Method for the diagnosis and analysis of stomach carcinoma

摘要

Methods for the diagnosis and/or analysis of tumours by detecting at least one variable exon of the CD44 gene or corresp. epitope are new. The variable exons pref. are exons v5, v6, v7 or v8 (sequences given in the specification). Also claimed are antibodies (Abs) specific for variant CD44, pref. for an epitope encoded by exons v5, v6, v7 or v8 or v7 and v8 together. The Abs may be monoclonal, Fab or F(ab')2 fragments, recombinant Abs, recombinantly produced single chain Abs or chimeric or humanised Abs. Also claimed is the prodn. of Abs by using recombinant polypeptides as antigens containing an amino acid sequence which is encoded by at least one variant exon.