ASSAYS AND ANTIBODIES FOR N-myc PROTEINS

摘要

Methods and compositions for identifying patients suffering from cancer, particularly neural and neuroendocrine cancers. It has been found that the protein expression product of the human N-myc photo-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.