Assays and antibodies for N-MYC proteins

摘要

Methods and compositions are provided for identifying patients suffering from cancer, particularly neural and neuroendocrine cancers. It has been found that the protein expression product of the human N-mcy proto-oncogene may be detected in certain biological specimens, particularly tissue specimens and sputum samples. By obtaining immunogenic N-myc polypeptides, either synthetically or by isolation from a natural source, antibodies specific for the N-myc protein are obtained. Those antibodies may then be used in immunological techniques for detecting the presence of N-myc in the biological samples. In particular, the antibodies may be employed in immunohistochemical techniques to detect the N-myc protein in prepared tissue and sputum samples.