Methods for determining the prognosis for patients with a prostate neoplastic condition

Abstract

The invention provide a method of identifying a biomarker that is diagnostic for survival of a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. The method consists of (a) measuring the level of IAPs in a neoplastic prostate cell-containing sample from patients with a prostate neoplastic condition, and (b) identifying a correlation between the level of IAPs in a sample from a patient with the survival of that patient, where the correlation of an IAP with survival in patients indicates the IAP is a biomarker diagnostic of survival of a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. Also provided is a method of determining a prognosis for survival for a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. The method consists of (a) measuring the level of XIAP in a neoplastic prostate cell-containing sample from the patient, and (b) comparing the level of XIAP in the sample to a reference level of XIAP, where an increased level of XIAP in the sample correlates with increased survival of the patient. The invention further provides a method of determining a prognosis for survival for a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. The method consists of (a) measuring the level of two or more IAPs selected from the group consisting of XIAP, cIAP1, and cIAP2 in a neoplastic prostate cell-containing sample from a patient, and (b)comparing the level of the two or more IAPs in the sample to a reference level of the IAPs, where an increased level of XIAP and decreased level of cIAP1 or cIAP2 in the sample correlates with increased survival of the patient.

Description

[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 366,307, filed Feb. 12, 2003, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 356,956, filed Feb. 12, 2002, each of which the entire contents are incorporated herein by reference.[0002]The present invention relates generally to regulation of programmed cell death and more specifically to biomarkers for predicting survival of patients with a prostate neoplastic condition.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Prognosis in clinical cancer is an area of great concern and interest. It is important to know the aggressiveness of the malignant cells and the likelihood of tumor recurrence or spread in order to plan the most effective therapy. Prostate cancer, for example, is managed by several alternative strategies. One of every 10 men currently develops prostate cancer at some point in his life. In some cases local-regional therapy is utilized, consisting of surgery or radiation, while in other ca...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, even with these additional factors, practitioners are still unable to accurately predict the course of disease for all prostate cancer patients.

The inability to differentiate tumors that will progress from those that will remain quiescent has created a dilemma for treatment decisions.

The side effects of surgery include discomfort with urination, urinary urgency, impotence, and the morbidity associated with general anesthesia and a major surgical procedure.

Common complications associated with external-beam radiation therapy include impotence, discomfort with urination, urinary urgency, and diarrhea.

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