Use of antigen combinations to detect autoantibodies in lung cancer.

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of antibody detection, and in particular to methods involving the detection of autoantibodies associated with lung cancer in samples containing patient body fluids. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for any of the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC. The present invention also relates to an in vitro method for determining an autoantibody profile, a method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer, a method for predicting response to lung cancer treatment, the use of a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens for the detection of lung cancer, and a kit for detecting autoantibodies.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of antibody detection, and more particularly to methods involving the detection of autoantibodies associated with lung cancer in samples containing patient body fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many diagnostic, prognostic, and / or monitoring assays rely on the detection of biological markers of a particular pathology or disease susceptibility. Such biological markers are generally proteins or polypeptides that are characteristic of or associated with susceptibility to a particular disease, and are often used for the detection of cancer, including lung cancer.

[0003] Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with 1.76 million deaths reported worldwide in 2018 (WHO Fact Sheet - https: / / www.who.int / news-room / fact-sheets / detail / cancer). Lung cancer tends to be diagnosed when symptoms become apparent, often at advanced stage (III or IV). As a result, more than 50% of all patients die within 12 months of diagnosis. Early diagnosis, if the tumor is found to be localized, more than triples the 5-year survival rate to 56%, but unfortunately, only 16% of lung cancers are diagnosed at the localized stage.

[0004] Antibodies, particularly autoantibodies, can serve as biological markers of disease or disease susceptibility. Autoantibodies are natural antibodies against antigens that an individual's immune system recognizes as foreign, even if the antigen actually originates in that individual. Autoantibodies can exist in the blood circulation as circulating free autoantibodies or in the form of circulating immune complexes consisting of autoantibodies bound to their target proteins. Differences between wild-type proteins expressed by "normal" cells and modified forms of proteins produced by diseased cells or during disease processes can, in some cases, result in the modified protein being recognized as "non-self" by the individual's immune system and thus eliciting an immune response in that individual. This can be a humoral (i.e., B-cell) immune response that results in the production of immunologically specific autoantibodies against the modified protein.

[0005] WO 99 / 58978 describes methods for use in cancer detection / diagnosis based on the evaluation of an individual's immune response to two or more different tumor markers. These methods typically involve contacting a sample of body fluid collected from an individual with a panel of two or more different tumor marker antigens, each derived from a separate tumor marker protein, and detecting the formation of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to a circulating autoantibody immunologically specific to the tumor marker protein. The presence of such circulating autoantibodies is interpreted as an indication of the presence of cancer.

[0006] Assays that measure an individual's immune response to the presence of tumor marker proteins in terms of autoantibody production provide an alternative to direct measurement or detection of tumor marker proteins in body fluids. Such assays essentially constitute indirect detection of the presence of tumor marker proteins. The nature of this immune response means that autoantibodies are likely to be elicited by very small amounts of circulating tumor marker proteins, and therefore indirect methods that rely on detecting immune responses to tumor marker proteins will be more sensitive than methods for direct measurement of tumor markers in body fluids. Therefore, assay methods based on the detection of autoantibodies may be particularly valuable early in the disease process and, in some cases, in conjunction with the screening of asymptomatic patients, for example, in screening to identify individuals "at risk" of developing disease within a population of asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, methods based on the detection of autoantibodies may be particularly valuable early in the disease process and may also be used to identify individuals developing disease within a population of symptomatic individuals.

[0007] Diagnostic tests for the early detection of lung cancer have been developed and are commercially available in many regions. A test (EarlyCDT Lung; manufactured by Oncimmune Limited, Nottingham, UK) consisting of a panel of seven tumor marker antigens (p53, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, CAGE, MAGE A4, and HuD) has been validated (Chapman et al., 2012, Tumor Biol, 33: 1319-1326). This test is believed to be the largest randomized controlled trial for early detection of lung cancer using biomarkers. A successful National Health Service (NHS) ECLS trial of 12,209 high-risk smokers in Scotland demonstrated that EarlyCDT Lung reduces the incidence of patients with late-stage lung cancer or unclassified symptoms at diagnosis compared with standard clinical practice.

[0008] Another diagnostic test utilizing a panel of seven tumor marker antigens (p53, GAGE7, PGP95, CAGE, MAGE-A1, SOX2, GBU4-5) has been developed specifically for the detection of lung cancer in Han Chinese populations (Ren et al., 2017, Oncoimmunology, 7(2)) and is available on the Chinese market (a seven-antibody test kit (ELISA); manufactured by Hangzhou Cancer Probe Biotechnology Company, Hangzhou, China ("CancerProbe")).

[0009] However, diagnostic tests with improved sensitivity and specificity remain needed to improve the early detection of lung cancer in different ethnic groups, thus leading to the search for new tumor marker antigen panels. Summary of the Invention

[0010] (Summary of the Invention) This application describes a novel tumor marker antigen panel that can be used to detect autoantibodies associated with lung cancer. Surprisingly, it was found that a core panel of three tumor marker antigens contributes to the majority of the performance of tests based on these novel antigen panels. The addition of various other tumor marker antigens improves performance, especially when targeting populations of different ethnicities. Through the detection of autoantibodies against these novel tumor marker antigen panels, the inventors have devised an effective and non-invasive screening method for lung cancer and a corresponding kit.

[0011] The inventors of the present application have screened a group of tumor marker antigens and developed a panel of antigen markers suitable for relatively accurate prediction of lung cancer. The inventors have surprisingly found that a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, including p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, can provide improved lung cancer detection performance compared to existing diagnostic tests based on the detection of autoantibodies in human samples.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, three of the autoantibodies being immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: Here, a method is provided, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0013] In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62. In certain alternative embodiments of the first aspect, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0014] In one embodiment, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the one or more tumor marker antigens are HuD. In one preferred embodiment, the one or more tumor marker antigens are MAGE A4. In another preferred embodiment, the one or more tumor marker antigens are SOX2. In another preferred embodiment, the one or more tumor marker antigens are CAGE. In another preferred embodiment, the one or more tumor marker antigens are NY-ESO-1.

[0016] In one embodiment, four or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method includes (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD indicates the presence of lung cancer. The panel may include one or more additional tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0017] In one embodiment, four or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method includes (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 indicates the presence of lung cancer. The panel may include one or more additional tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0018] In one embodiment, four or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method includes (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 indicates the presence of lung cancer. The panel may include one or more additional tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0019] In one embodiment, four or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method includes (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer. The panel may include one or more additional tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0020] In one embodiment, four or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method includes (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 indicates the presence of lung cancer. The panel may include one or more additional tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0021] In one embodiment, five or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0022] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0023] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x)p53, SSX1, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ノーゼ-1, p53-C; (xxi) p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-ノー-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-ラー-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0024] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced with KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced with p62. The inventors have determined that p62 and KOC are structurally similar and share as much as 65% sequence homology. As demonstrated by experimental data, assays using panels including p53, SSX1, and p62, as well as panels including p53, SSX1, and KOC, demonstrate excellent sensitivity and specificity.

[0025] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0026] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0027] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0028] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0029] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0030] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0031] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0032] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0033] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0034] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0035] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0036] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0037] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0038] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0039] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0040] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0041] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0042] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0043] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0044] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0045] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0046] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0047] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0048] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0049] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0050] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0051] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0052] In one embodiment, the method comprises: (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample : Here, the presence or absence of the autoantibody is based on a comparison of the amount of specific binding observed with a predetermined cutoff value.

[0053] In one embodiment, the tumor marker antigen is provided in a plurality of different amounts, wherein the method comprises: (a) contacting a test sample with a plurality of different amounts of the tumor marker antigen; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody; (d) plotting or calculating a curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of tumor marker antigen for each amount of tumor marker antigen used in step (a); and (e) determining the presence or absence of the autoantibody based on the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody at different amounts of each tumor marker antigen used. Contains:

[0054] In one embodiment, the method comprises: (d1) calculating quadratic curve parameters from the curve plotted or calculated in step (d); and (e) Presence or absence of autoantibodies (i) the amount of specific binding between the autoantibody and the tumor marker antigen determined in step (b); and (ii) the quadratic curve parameters determined in step (d1); determining based on a combination of: : and further includes

[0055] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an in vitro method for determining the autoantibody profile of an individual suffering from lung cancer by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and b) determining whether or not a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody is present in the test sample; and repeating the process to build a profile of autoantibody production.

[0056] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) diagnosing the subject with lung cancer when a complex containing at least the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and any one of p62 and KOC bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample is detected; and (d) administering lung cancer treatment to the subject diagnosed with the disease. : A method is provided.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for predicting response to lung cancer treatment, comprising detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample; and (d) comparing the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody with a pre-established relationship between the amount of binding and a likely therapeutic outcome. Contains: Here, a method is provided in which a change in the amount of said specific binding compared to a control is predictive of whether said patient will or will not respond to said lung cancer treatment.

[0058] In some embodiments, the lung cancer treatment is selected from the group consisting of surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

[0059] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens for the detection of lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific to either p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject.

[0060] In certain embodiments of the second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62. In certain alternative embodiments of the second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0061] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a kit for the detection of autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; A kit is provided, comprising:

[0062] In certain embodiments of the sixth aspect, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62. In certain alternative embodiments of the sixth aspect, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0063] In one embodiment, the kit comprises: (c) a means for contacting said tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject. : and further includes

[0064] In one embodiment, the means for contacting a tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a bodily fluid from a mammalian subject comprises the tumor marker antigen immobilized on a chip, slide, plate, well of a microtiter plate, bead, membrane, or nanoparticle.

[0065] In some embodiments, the kit is for the detection of lung cancer.

[0066] In all aspects of the invention, the tumor marker antigen may be a natural protein or polypeptide, a recombinant protein or polypeptide, a synthetic protein or polypeptide, a synthetic peptide, a peptidomimetic, a polysaccharide, or a nucleic acid.

[0067] In all aspects of the present invention, the body fluid may be selected from the group consisting of plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, post-operative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, and wound drainage fluid.

[0068] In all aspects of the invention, the methods are preferably carried out in vitro on test samples comprising bodily fluids obtained or prepared from a mammalian subject.

[0069] In all aspects of the present invention, the mammalian subject is preferably a human.

[0070] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting an autoantibody in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein the autoantibody is immunologically specific for a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: Here, a method is provided, wherein the presence of said complex is indicative of the presence of said lung cancer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0071] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Figure 1] Figure 1A shows an exemplary plate coating layout. When coating antigen at two concentrations (50 and 160 nM), columns 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are 50 nM, and columns 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are 160 nM. Figure 1B shows an exemplary plate distribution layout. Five to ten samples can be processed per plate. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the ROC curve for the entire 14-marker panel for Cohort 2 (98 lung cancer cases and 55 benign lung disease controls). [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the ROC curves for a nine-marker panel of autoantibodies to p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE for Cohort 2 (98 lung cancer cases and 55 benign lung disease controls). [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the ROC curves for a five-marker panel of autoantibodies to p53, p62, SSX-1, HuD, and MAGE A4 for Cohort 2 (98 lung cancer cases and 55 benign lung disease controls). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the ROC curves for a three marker panel of autoantibodies selected from p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD for Cohort 2 (98 lung cancer cases and 55 benign lung disease controls). [Figure 6]Figure 6 shows a summary of the ROC scatter plots of the multivariate cutoff solutions obtained using the pseudo-annealing-based algorithm for the panel of seven markers for Cohort 3 (148 lung cancer cases and 145 healthy controls). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] (Detailed explanation) (A.Definition) Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Without limiting any term, further explanations of some of the terms used herein are provided below.

[0073] As used herein, the term autoantibody refers to a natural antibody against an antigen that an individual's immune system recognizes as foreign, even though the antigen actually originates in that individual. Generally, autoantibodies include antibodies against modified forms of natural proteins produced by diseased cells or during disease processes. Although the modified forms of proteins originate in an individual, they may be considered "non-self" by the individual's immune system and thus elicit an immune response in that individual in the form of immunologically specific autoantibodies against the modified proteins. Such modified forms of proteins may include, for example, mutants with altered amino acid sequences, truncated forms, splice variants, altered glycoforms, and the like, optionally accompanied by altered secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structure. In other embodiments, autoantibodies may be directed against proteins that are overexpressed in certain pathological conditions or as a result of gene amplification or aberrant transcriptional regulation. Overexpression of significant amounts of proteins not normally expressed by cells of the immune system can elicit an immune response that leads to autoantibody production. In a further embodiment, autoantibodies may be directed against fetal forms of proteins that become expressed in certain pathological conditions. When a fetal protein that is normally expressed only early in development, before the immune system is functional, becomes expressed in a pathological condition, the fetal form expressed in a fully developed human pathological condition can be recognized as "foreign" by the immune system and induce an immune response that leads to autoantibody production. In yet a further embodiment, the autoantibody may be directed against a protein that is expressed in a different location in a pathological condition. For example, a protein may be expressed internally in a healthy individual but in a pathological condition in an exposed surface location, such that the protein is exposed to the circulation, and therefore the immune system, in the pathological condition but not in a healthy individual. Herein, proteins against which autoantibodies are directed are referred to as "tumor marker proteins."

[0074] As used herein, the term "antigen" refers to an immunospecific reagent that forms a complex with an autoantibody present in a test sample. An antigen is a substance containing at least one antigenic determinant or epitope that can specifically interact with the target autoantibody to be detected, or any capture agent that specifically interacts with the variable region or complementarity-determining region of the autoantibody. Antigens are typically natural or synthetic biopolymers, such as proteins or peptides, polysaccharides, or nucleic acids, and can include antibodies or fragments thereof, such as anti-idiotypic antibodies. A "tumor marker antigen" is an antigen that is elevated in subjects with cancer, particularly lung cancer in this context. Herein, the terms "tumor marker antigen," "tumor antigen," and "antigen" are used interchangeably.

[0075] As used herein, the term different antigens includes antigens derived from different proteins or polypeptides (eg, antigens derived from unrelated proteins encoded by different genes).

[0076] As used herein, the term "antigenic variant" refers to an allelic or other variant of a single antigen, e.g., a single protein antigen as defined above. Antigenic variants typically derive from a single gene, and different antigenic variants may be expressed in different members of a population or in different disease states. Antigenic variants may differ by amino acid sequence or by post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, or acetylation. Furthermore, the term "antigenic variant" encompasses antigenic mutations such as amino acid substitutions, additions, or deletions. Typically, antigenic variants contain fewer than five (e.g., fewer than four, fewer than three, fewer than two, or fewer than one) mutations relative to the wild-type antigen. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the antigen can refer to the wild-type antigen. In other embodiments of the present invention, the antigen can refer to a variant or mutant version of the antigen. For example, in certain embodiments, p53 can refer to wild-type p53 or a variant or mutant version of p53, including, but not limited to, p53-95 and p53-C.

[0077] As used herein, the term "body fluid" when referring to a material to be tested for the presence of autoantibodies using the methods of the present invention includes, among others, plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, postoperative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, or wound drainage fluid. As mentioned above, the methods of the present invention are preferably performed in vitro on a test sample comprising a body fluid removed from a test subject. The type of body fluid used may vary depending on the identity of the autoantibody being tested for and the clinical context in which the assay is used. Generally, it is preferred to perform the assay on a serum or plasma sample. The test sample may contain additional components in addition to the body fluid, such as diluents, preservatives, stabilizers, buffers, etc. Because the assay method is performed on a body fluid sample, it is essentially non-invasive. This means that the assay can be repeated as needed, for example, to build a profile of a patient's immune response throughout the course of a disease.

[0078] As used herein, the terms mammalian subject and subject are used interchangeably to refer to a subject that is a mammal, preferably a human. The subject may have lung cancer. The subject may be suspected of having lung cancer. The subject may have tested positive for lung cancer using ultrasound or surveillance. The subject may have previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and / or may be in partial or complete remission. The subject may be undergoing treatment for lung cancer. The subject may have undergone surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and / or photodynamic therapy.

[0079] B. Methods for Detecting Autoantibodies The present invention generally provides immunoassays for the detection of immunologically specific autoantibodies against tumor marker proteins associated with lung cancer, which can be used to detect or diagnose lung cancer.

[0080] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to any of the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: Here, methods are provided, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0081] In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises: (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample : Here, the presence or absence of the autoantibody is based on a comparison between the amount of specific binding observed and a predetermined cutoff.

[0082] In this embodiment, the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample can be the relative amount of binding or the absolute amount of binding.

[0083] As used herein, if the amount of specific binding between a tumor marker antigen and an autoantibody present in a test sample is either above or below a predetermined cutoff, the autoantibody can be considered to be present. However, typically, if the amount of specific binding between a tumor marker antigen and an autoantibody present in a test sample is above a predetermined cutoff, the autoantibody is considered to be present. The predetermined cutoff can be determined by performing a control assay on a known negative sample (e.g., a normal individual) in a case-control study. A "normal" individual is preferably an age-matched control who has no diagnosis of lung cancer based on clinical, imaging, and / or biochemical criteria. In some embodiments, a known negative sample can be obtained from an individual with benign lung disease, i.e., an individual who is at high risk of lung cancer but has no evidence of lung cancer. Preferably, a normal individual has no diagnosis of any cancer. As used herein, the amount of specific binding between a tumor marker antigen and an autoantibody present in a test sample from a normal patient is detected and averaged to provide a predetermined cutoff. In certain embodiments, the predetermined cutoff can be determined by selecting the cutoff value that gives the maximum Youden value that maintains a specificity of greater than 90%.

[0084] The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that a core panel of three tumor marker antigens is particularly effective for the accurate detection and diagnosis of lung cancer.Within the scope of the present invention, it is contemplated that immunologically specific autoantibodies against a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens (wherein three of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC) can be detected.In this embodiment, the diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all three tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies.The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of three tumor marker antigens (wherein the three tumor marker antigens are either p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific for one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0085] As noted elsewhere herein, for all embodiments in which a panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced with KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which a panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced with p62. The inventors have determined that p62 and KOC are structurally similar and share as much as 65% sequence homology. As demonstrated by experimental data, assays using panels including p53, SSX1, and p62, as well as panels including p53, SSX1, and KOC, exhibit excellent sensitivity and specificity.

[0086] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all four tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four tumor marker antigens (wherein the four tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific to one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0087] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all four tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of four tumor marker antigens (wherein the four tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific for one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0088] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all four tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four tumor marker antigens (wherein the four tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific to one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0089] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all four tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific to a panel of four tumor marker antigens (wherein the four tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific to one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0090] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all four tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of four tumor marker antigens (wherein the four tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific for one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0091] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens (wherein five of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4) can be detected. In this embodiment, a diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed based on the presence of a complex of all five tumor marker antigens bound to their respective autoantibodies. The present invention also contemplates the detection of autoantibodies immunologically specific for a panel of five tumor marker antigens (wherein the five tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4), as well as the detection of one or more additional autoantibodies immunologically specific for one or more additional tumor marker proteins.

[0092] In some embodiments, the mammalian subject may have lung cancer. The subject may have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, or sarcomatoid carcinoma; or the subject may have small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

[0093] In other embodiments, the mammalian subject may be suspected of having lung cancer. The mammalian subject may have previously tested positive in a lung cancer screen. Any lung cancer screen is contemplated herein. In other embodiments, the subject may have previously tested positive for lung cancer using ultrasound surveillance or any other imaging method. In certain embodiments, the subject may have previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and / or may be in partial or complete remission. The subject may have undergone treatment for lung cancer. The subject may have undergone surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and / or photodynamic therapy.

[0094] For purposes of the present invention, a subject who is undergoing or has previously undergone treatment for lung cancer may still be considered to be "suspected of having lung cancer." As used herein, the treatment for lung cancer may have been administered at any time, and the subject may or may not have subsequently been tested for the presence of lung cancer.

[0095] A subject may be suspected of having lung cancer due to the presence of known risk factors for lung cancer. In some embodiments, the subject may be a smoker; the subject may have been exposed to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, high levels of air pollution, or other carcinogens; the subject may have undergone radiation therapy; and / or the subject may have a personal or family history of lung cancer. Any method for determining these risk factors is contemplated, and the subject may or may not be undergoing or have undergone treatment related to the risk factors.

[0096] Within the scope of the present invention, a subject may have tested positive in a lung cancer screen at any time prior to the administration of a method of the present invention. For example, the lung cancer screen may have been administered 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years, 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, or more prior to the administration of a method of the present invention.

[0097] (C. Panel of tumor marker antigens) The present invention provides a method comprising detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to either tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC.

[0098] In certain embodiments of the invention, the methods are capable of detecting three or more autoantibodies, four or more autoantibodies, or five or more autoantibodies, for example, the methods are capable of detecting 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, or more autoantibodies.

[0099] It is generally accepted that the sensitivity of an assay increases by testing for the presence of multiple autoantibodies. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention contemplate the use of a panel that includes multiple tumor marker antigens, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, or more tumor marker antigens.

[0100] For embodiments involving the use of a panel comprising multiple tumor marker antigens, the method may require the presence of immune complexes containing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, or more antigens for a positive assay result.

[0101] These methods may hereinafter be referred to as "panel assays." Such assays are typically more sensitive than detection of autoantibodies to a single tumor marker antigen and produce much lower frequencies of false-negative results (see WO99 / 58978, WO2004 / 044590, and WO2006 / 126008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0102] The panel of tumor marker antigens can be tailored to take into account the specific ethnic background of the subject. We identified a core panel of three tumor marker antigens that can be used to detect relevant autoantibodies for accurate diagnosis of lung cancer in both Chinese and Western populations.

[0103] According to the core of the invention, the invention comprises contacting a test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the method comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens (wherein the panel comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC) and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. In this embodiment, the panel can comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 of the listed tumor marker antigens.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect four or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein four of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect four or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein four of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect four or more autoantibodies in a test sample containing a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein four of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method includes contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect four or more autoantibodies in a test sample containing a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein four of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method includes contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect four or more autoantibodies in a test sample containing a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein four of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method includes contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, wherein four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, the method can detect five or more autoantibodies in a test sample containing a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein five of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method includes contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4. In one embodiment, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0111] In certain embodiments, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens includes one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. In this embodiment, the panel can include 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of the listed tumor marker antigens.

[0112] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0113] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0114] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0115] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0116] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0117] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0118] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0119] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0120] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0121] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0122] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0123] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0124] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0125] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0126] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0127] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0128] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0129] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0130] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0131] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0132] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0133] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0134] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0135] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0136] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0137] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0138] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0139] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0140] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0141] The present invention also contemplates methods that utilize panels comprising two or more antigen variants of one or more of the different antigens.

[0142] Also provided herein is a method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting an autoantibody in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein the autoantibody is immunologically specific for a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: wherein the presence of said complex indicates the presence of said lung cancer.

[0143] In certain embodiments, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more autoantibodies are detected and the method comprises: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; Here, the presence of a complex containing at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0144] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; Here, the presence of a complex containing at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0145] In certain embodiments, the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0146] D. Assay Format The actual step of detecting autoantibodies in a sample of body fluid can be carried out according to immunological assay techniques known per se in the art.

[0147] The general characteristics of immunoassays, such as ELISA, radioimmunoassays, and the like, are well known to those skilled in the art (see, Immunoassay, E. Diamandis and T. Christopoulus, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1996). Immunoassays for the detection of antibodies of a particular immunological specificity usually require the use of a reagent (antigen) that exhibits specific immunological reactivity with the antibody under test. Depending on the assay format, this antigen can be immobilized on a solid support. A sample to be tested for the presence of antibodies is contacted with the antigen, and if antibodies of the required immunological specificity are present in the sample, they will immunologically react with the antigen to form antibody-antigen complexes, which can then be detected or quantitatively measured.

[0148] The methods of the present invention can be carried out in any suitable format that allows contact between a test sample suspected of containing an autoantibody and an antigen. Conveniently, contact between the test sample and the antigen can occur in separate reaction chambers, such as the wells of a microtiter plate, allowing different antigens or different amounts of antigen to be assayed in parallel, if necessary. In embodiments where varying amounts of antigen are required (see Antigen Titration Method, below), these can be coated onto the wells of the microtiter plate by preparing serial dilutions from an antigen stock across the wells of the microtiter plate. The antigen stock can be of known or unknown concentration. Aliquots of the test sample can then be added to the wells of the plate, while keeping the volume and dilution of the test sample constant in each well. The absolute amount of antigen added to the wells of the microtiter plate can vary depending on factors such as the nature of the target autoantibody, the nature of the test sample, and the dilution of the test sample, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Typically, the amount of antigen and the dilution of the test sample are selected to provide a signal intensity within the acceptable detection range of the readout selected for detecting antigen / autoantibody binding in this method. Advantageously, the amount of antigen tested may vary in the range of 1.6 nM to 160 mM.

[0149] In further embodiments of the present invention, antigens can be immobilized at distinct locations or reaction sites on a solid support. In embodiments where different amounts of antigen are required (see antigen titration method below), each can be immobilized at a distinct location or reaction site on the solid support. The entire support is then contacted with a test sample, and binding between the autoantibody and the antigen can be detected or measured separately at each distinct location or reaction site. Suitable solid supports include microarrays. When different amounts of antigen are required, microarrays can be prepared by immobilizing different amounts of a specific antigen at distinct, resolvable reaction sites on the array. In other embodiments, the actual amount of immobilized antigen molecules can be kept substantially constant, but the size of the sites or spots on the array can be varied to vary the amount of available binding epitopes, providing a titration series of sites or spots with different amounts of available binding epitopes. In such embodiments, the two-dimensional surface concentration of the binding epitopes on the antigen, rather than the absolute amount of antigen, is important when preparing the titration series. Techniques for preparing and interrogating protein / peptide microarrays are generally known in the art.

[0150] Microarrays can be used to perform multiple assays for autoantibodies of different specificities in parallel on a single sample, which can be done using arrays containing multiple antigens or sets of antigens.

[0151] Certain antigens may include or be derived from proteins or polypeptides isolated from natural sources, including, but not limited to, proteins or polypeptides isolated from a patient's tissues or body fluids (e.g., plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural fluid, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate fluid, postoperative serum fluid, and wound drainage fluid). In such embodiments, the antigen may comprise substantially all of the native protein, i.e., substantially the protein in the form in which it is isolated from its natural source, or the antigen may comprise a fragment of the native protein. To be effective as an antigen in the methods of the invention, any such fragment must retain immunological reactivity with the autoantibody used to test. Suitable fragments can be prepared, for example, by chemical or enzymatic cleavage of the isolated protein.

[0152] In some embodiments, depending on the exact nature of the assay used, the antigen can comprise a natural protein or a fragment thereof linked to one or more additional molecules that confer some desirable characteristic not naturally present in the protein. For example, the protein or fragment can be conjugated to a revealing label, such as a fluorescent label, a colored label, a luminescent label, a radioactive label, or a heavy metal, such as colloidal gold. In other embodiments, the protein or fragment can be expressed as a recombinantly produced fusion protein. For example, the fusion protein can include a tag peptide at the N- or C-terminus to facilitate purification of the recombinantly expressed antigen.

[0153] Depending on the assay format to be used, the antigen can be immobilized on a solid support such as, for example, a chip, a slide, a well of a microtiter plate, a bead, a membrane, or a nanoparticle. Immobilization can be performed via non-covalent adsorption, covalent attachment, or via a tag.

[0154] Any suitable means of attachment may be used, provided this does not adversely affect to any appreciable extent the ability of the antigen to immunologically react with the target autoantibody.

[0155] The present invention is not limited to solid phase assays, but also encompasses assays that are carried out wholly or partly in liquid phase, such as solution phase bead assays or competitive assays.

[0156] In one embodiment, the antigen can be labeled with a ligand that facilitates immobilization, such as biotin.The antigen can then be diluted to a suitable titration range and react with the autoantibody in the patient sample in solution.The resulting immune complex can then be immobilized on a solid support via ligand-receptor interaction (e.g., biotin-streptavidin), and the rest of the assay can be carried out as described below.

[0157] To facilitate the production of biotinylated antigens for use in the assay methods of the invention, cDNAs encoding the full-length antigens, truncated versions thereof, or antigenic fragments thereof can be expressed as fusion proteins tagged with a protein or polypeptide tag to which a biotin cofactor can be attached, e.g., via an enzymatic reaction.

[0158] Vectors for the production of recombinant biotinylated antigens are commercially available from several sources. Alternatively, biotinylated antigens can be produced by covalently linking biotin to the antigen molecule after expression and purification.

[0159] As mentioned above, the immunoassay used to detect autoantibodies according to the present invention can be based on standard techniques known in the art. In a most preferred embodiment, the immunoassay can be an ELISA. ELISAs are generally well known in the art. In a typical indirect ELISA, an antigen having specificity for the autoantibody under test is immobilized on a solid surface (e.g., the well of a standard microtiter assay plate, or the surface of microbeads or microarrays), and a sample containing a body fluid to be tested for the presence of the autoantibody is contacted with the immobilized antigen. Any autoantibody of the desired specificity present in the sample will bind to the immobilized antigen. The bound antigen / autoantibody complex can then be detected using any suitable method. In one preferred embodiment, the antigen / autoantibody complex is detected using a labeled anti-human immunoglobulin secondary antibody that specifically recognizes an epitope common to one or more classes of human immunoglobulins. Typically, the secondary antibody is anti-IgG or anti-IgM. The secondary antibody is usually labeled with a detectable marker, typically an enzymatic marker such as peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase, to permit quantitative detection by addition of a substrate for the enzyme that produces a detectable product, e.g., a colored, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent product. Other types of detectable labels known in the art can be used equally effectively.

[0160] (Method for measuring antigen titer) In WO2006 / 126008 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), it was revealed that the performance, more particularly the clinical usefulness and reliability, of assays based on the detection of autoantibodies as biological markers of disease can be dramatically improved by the inclusion of an antigen titration step.

[0161] By testing samples suspected of containing antibodies against a series of different amounts of antigen (also referred to herein as a titration series) and generating a titration curve, it is possible to reliably identify true positive screening results, regardless of the absolute amount of antibody present in the sample. The antigen titration method of WO2006 / 126008 provides greater specificity and sensitivity than measuring autoantibody reactivity at a single antigen concentration, or methods in which serum samples rather than antigens are titrated.

[0162] Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention contemplates that a tumor marker antigen is provided in a plurality of different amounts, wherein the method comprises: (a) contacting a test sample with a plurality of different amounts of the tumor marker antigen; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody; (d) plotting or calculating a curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of tumor marker antigen for each amount of tumor marker antigen used in step (a); and (e) determining the presence or absence of the autoantibody based on the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody at different amounts of each tumor marker antigen used. Contains:

[0163] In practice, different amounts of tumor marker antigen are typically provided by varying the concentration of the tumor marker antigen used. Therefore, the terms "different amounts" and "different concentrations" can be used interchangeably. However, any method of varying the amount of tumor marker antigen is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the amount of antigenic determinant or epitope available for binding to the target autoantibody is important for establishing a titration series (i.e., a set of antigens provided in different amounts) in the methods of the present invention. In many assay formats, the amount of antigenic determinant or epitope available for binding directly correlates with the amount of antigen molecules present. However, in other embodiments, such as certain solid-phase assay systems, the amount of exposed antigenic determinant or epitope may not directly correlate with the amount of antigen, but may depend on other factors such as attachment to a solid surface and presentation of a three-dimensional structure. In these embodiments, references herein to "different amounts of antigen" in a titration series can be understood to refer to different amounts of antigenic determinant or epitope. In certain embodiments, variation in the amount of antigen can be achieved by changing the antigen or epitope density at which the sample is tested, or by maintaining the antigen or epitope density but increasing the surface area on which the antigen is immobilized, or both.

[0164] In this embodiment, a "set of antigens" refers to a single antigen that is to be tested in different amounts in the method of the present invention.

[0165] According to the present invention, the method comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC. In such embodiments in which multiple antigens are contemplated, a "set of different antigens" refers to a single antigen to be tested in different amounts in the method of the present invention, each antigen being a "different antigen" derived from a different protein or polypeptide as defined above (e.g., antigens derived from unrelated proteins encoded by different genes).

[0166] A given microarray may contain only sets of different antigens derived from different proteins or polypeptides, or only sets of different antigens derived from different peptide epitopes of a single protein or polypeptide, or a mixture of the two in any proportion. It should be noted that the different amounts of each individual antigen set in any embodiment of the invention will typically contain only one antigen, not a mixture thereof.

[0167] A set of antigen variants refers to a single antigen variant that is to be tested in different amounts in the method of the present invention.

[0168] In some embodiments, the presence or absence of autoantibodies can be determined based on the aggregate value of the amount of specific binding for all amounts of tumor marker antigens used.In the method of the present invention, the relative or absolute amount of specific binding between autoantibodies and antigens is determined for each different amount of antigen (antigenic determinant or epitope) tested, and used to plot or calculate a curve of the (relative or absolute) amount of specific binding versus the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen tested.The presence of autoantibodies reactive with the antigen used in the assay in the test sample is determined based on the amount of specific binding observed at each amount of antigen, and is usually indicated by a dose-response curve, typically S-shaped or sigmoid.Therefore, in some embodiments, the presence or absence of autoantibodies is determined by screening the plot for the presence of a dose-response curve, such as a S-shaped or sigmoid curve.If there is no detectable variation in binding for different amounts of antigen tested, this can be scored as the absence of a detectable amount of autoantibody.

[0169] In certain embodiments, the presence or absence of autoantibodies is determined based on the collective value of the amount of specific binding for all of the amounts of tumor marker antigen used.

[0170] In certain embodiments, the presence or absence of autoantibodies is determined by screening the plot of step (d) for the presence of a dose-response curve.

[0171] In certain embodiments, the dose-response curve is generally sigmoidal or sigmoidal.

[0172] In one embodiment, the presence or absence of autoantibody is determined by comparing the amount of specific binding between autoantibody and antigen with a predetermined cutoff value.Here, the curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen used in the titration series is plotted, and the binding level in known positive samples (for example, a group of patients with disease) is compared with the binding level observed in known negative samples (for example, normal individuals) in case-control studies.A cutoff value for autoantibody binding at one or more points on the titration curve is selected, which maximizes sensitivity (few false negatives) while maintaining high specificity (few false positives).Considering that the curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen used in the titration series is a dose-response curve, if the amount of specific binding determined at one or more points on the titration curve is greater than the value of a predetermined cutoff point, the measurement is considered positive.In some embodiments, the predetermined cutoff can be determined by selecting the cutoff value that gives the maximum Youden's value while maintaining a specificity of more than 90%.

[0173] It should be noted that the antigen titration embodiment can be used with all methods of the present invention, including methods for detecting lung cancer, diagnosing and treating lung cancer, predicting response to anti-lung cancer therapy, and determining antibody profiles. Furthermore, antigen titration can be used in embodiments where only a single autoantibody is detected, as well as in embodiments where a panel of antigens is used to detect multiple autoantibodies.

[0174] (double cut-off method) It is generally accepted that the sensitivity of assay increases by measuring autoantibodies against multiple antigens.However, this increase in sensitivity is usually associated with a proportional decrease in specificity, and therefore the number of antigens that can be used in assay method may be limited.In some embodiments, the method of the present invention can compensate for the decrease in specificity by using antigen titration method to determine the specific binding level between autoantibody and antigen and evaluating quadratic curve parameters, and only the test result that is considered positive when compared with the cutoff point for both of these measurement criteria will be classified as positive.This method is herein referred to as "double cutoff" method, and is fully described in WO2015 / 193678 (the content of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0175] In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises: (d1) calculating quadratic curve parameters from the curve plotted or calculated in step (d); and (e) Presence or absence of autoantibodies (i) the amount of specific binding between the autoantibody and the tumor marker antigen determined in step (b); and (ii) the quadratic curve parameters determined in step (d1); determining based on a combination of: : and further includes

[0176] The double cutoff method utilizes the above-mentioned antigen titration method. After detecting the amount of antigen / autoantibody binding for each amount of antigen used in the titration series and plotting the curve of the amount of specific binding against the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen used in the titration series, the quadratic curve parameters are calculated. The quadratic curve parameters can be calculated from either a linear regression curve or a logarithmic regression curve. In this specification, the quadratic curve parameters are any calculated values ​​that indicate the properties of the curve. For example, the quadratic curve parameters can be the slope, intercept, AUC, SlopeMax, or dissociation constant (Kd).

[0177] Thus, in certain embodiments, the quadratic curve parameter is selected from the group consisting of slope, intercept, AUC, SlopeMax, and dissociation constant (Kd).

[0178] In some embodiments, the quadratic curve parameters are calculated from either a linear or a logarithmic regression curve.

[0179] In certain embodiments, the quadratic curve parameters can be determined by fitting a logistic curve, such as a four-parameter logistic curve, to the curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of antigen for the amount of antigen used in the titration series. In this embodiment, the quadratic curve parameters can be the maximum asymptote, the minimum asymptote, the Hill slope (or slope coefficient), or the inflection point.

[0180] Thus, in certain embodiments, the quadratic curve parameters are the maximum asymptote, minimum asymptote, Hill slope (or slope coefficient), or inflection point of the logistic curve fitted to each curve plotted or calculated in step (c).

[0181] Once the quadratic curve parameters are obtained, they are combined with the antigen / autoantibody binding data to determine the presence or absence of an autoantibody, where the amount of specific binding between the autoantibody and the antigen is compared to the predetermined cutoff value described above.

[0182] The cutoff for the quadratic curve parameter is determined using known positive samples (e.g., a set of case-control samples consisting of a cohort of patients with the disease) and known negative samples (e.g., a cohort of normal individuals in a case-control study). For each sample, a curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen used in the titration series is plotted, and the quadratic curve parameters observed in known positive samples (e.g., patients with the disease) are compared with the quadratic curve parameters observed in known negative samples (e.g., normal individuals). When used in combination with the cutoff for antigen / autoantibody binding discussed above, a cutoff value for the quadratic curve parameter that maximizes specificity (few false positives) is selected.

[0183] When calculating the cutoff value for the quadratic curve parameter, the directionality required for a positive reading is also determined, i.e., whether a value above or below the cutoff is considered positive. This directionality required for a positive reading depends on the antigen and the quadratic curve parameter. A measurement is conclusively considered positive, i.e., indicative of the presence of an autoantibody in the test sample, if it exceeds both cutoffs for antigen / autoantibody binding and shows the directionality required for a positive reading compared to the cutoff for the quadratic curve parameter.

[0184] It should be noted that the double cutoff embodiment can be used with all methods of the present invention, including methods for detecting lung cancer, methods for diagnosing and treating lung cancer, methods for predicting response to anti-lung cancer treatment, and methods for determining antibody profiles. Furthermore, the double cutoff method can be used in embodiments in which only a single autoantibody is detected, and in embodiments in which a panel of antigens is used to detect multiple autoantibodies. It should be noted that in panel embodiments, the quadratic curve parameters calculated for each antigen in the panel do not necessarily have to be the same. However, in some embodiments, the quadratic curve parameters calculated for each antigen in the panel may be the same.

[0185] (E. Application of the Method) The immunoassay method according to the present invention can be used in a variety of different clinical situations. According to the present invention, the method is useful for detecting lung cancer. In particular, the method can be used in the detection or diagnosis of lung cancer, in the screening of a population of asymptomatic human subjects to diagnose the presence of lung cancer, in the detection of primary or secondary (metastatic) lung cancer, or in the screening of early neoplastic or early oncogenic changes in asymptomatic patients.

[0186] (Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer) In certain embodiments, a method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) diagnosing the subject with lung cancer when a complex containing at least the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and any one of p62 and KOC bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample is detected; and (d) administering lung cancer treatment to the subject diagnosed with the disease. A method is provided, including:

[0187] In certain preferred embodiments of the method, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and p62. In certain alternative preferred embodiments of the method, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0188] In this embodiment, an autoantibody can be considered to be present if the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample is either above or below a predetermined cutoff, as described above.

[0189] In one embodiment, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0190] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is detected.

[0191] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0192] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 is detected.

[0193] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE is detected.

[0194] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 is detected.

[0195] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting five or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0196] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0197] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ノーゼ-1, p53-C; (xxi) p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-ノー-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0198] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0199] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0200] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0201] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0202] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0203] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0204] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0205] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0206] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0207] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0208] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0209] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0210] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0211] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0212] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0213] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0214] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0215] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0216] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0217] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0218] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0219] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0220] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0221] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0222] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0223] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0224] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0225] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0226] It should be noted that the present invention is in no way limited to any particular lung cancer treatment, hi some embodiments, the lung cancer treatment may be selected from the group consisting of surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

[0227] Within the scope of the present invention, lung cancer treatment can be administered at any time after the diagnosis of lung cancer.For example, lung cancer treatment can be administered 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days later, 3 days later, 4 days later, 5 days later, 6 days later, 1 week later, 2 weeks later, 3 weeks later, 4 weeks later, 1 month later, 2 months later, 3 months later, 4 months later, 5 months later, 6 months later, 1 year later or later after the diagnosis of lung cancer.Multiple administrations of lung cancer treatment can also be contemplated, with any interval between treatment rounds.

[0228] Administration of lung cancer treatment at a geographic location different from the geographic location where the lung cancer diagnosis was made is contemplated. Furthermore, the lung cancer treatment may be administered by a person different from the person making the diagnosis, regardless of whether the diagnosis and treatment are made in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations.

[0229] In this embodiment of the invention, all of the limitations discussed above with respect to the various methods of the invention are contemplated with respect to the methods of diagnosing and treating lung cancer.

[0230] (Predicting response to lung cancer treatment) In one aspect, the autoantibody detection method of the present invention can be used for treatment stratification, i.e., to determine whether a particular subject or group of subjects is likely or unlikely to respond to a particular lung cancer treatment. The method can be used in predicting the response of lung cancer patients to lung cancer treatment, in selecting a lung cancer treatment, in selecting a lung cancer treatment for use in a particular patient, in predicting the response to a treatment, in predicting survival in response to a treatment, or in predicting the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving immunotherapy (e.g., treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor). The lung cancer treatment or treatment can be, for example, surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

[0231] Therefore, the present invention provides a method for predicting response to lung cancer treatment, comprising detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for either the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC; (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample; and (d) comparing the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody with a pre-established relationship between the amount of binding and a likely therapeutic outcome. Contains: Here, a method is provided in which a change in the amount of said specific binding compared to a control is predictive of whether said patient will or will not respond to said lung cancer treatment.

[0232] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and p62. In one alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0233] As used herein, a control may be a sample of bodily fluid derived from a subject known to have lung cancer and known to not respond to the lung cancer treatment being tested, i.e., a non-response control.

[0234] In one embodiment, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0235] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is detected.

[0236] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0237] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 is detected.

[0238] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE is detected.

[0239] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 is detected.

[0240] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting five or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0241] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0242] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0243] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0244] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C.

[0245] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0246] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE.

[0247] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C.

[0248] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95.

[0249] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0250] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0251] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20.

[0252] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE.

[0253] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20.

[0254] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0255] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95.

[0256] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C.

[0257] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0258] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0259] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2.

[0260] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0261] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0262] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5.

[0263] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16.

[0264] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0265] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C.

[0266] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0267] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0268] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS.

[0269] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0270] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS.

[0271] It should be noted that the present invention is in no way limited to any particular lung cancer treatment, hi some embodiments, the lung cancer treatment may be selected from the group consisting of surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

[0272] In this embodiment of the invention, all of the limitations discussed above with respect to the various methods of the invention are contemplated with respect to the method of predicting response to lung cancer treatment.

[0273] (Determination of antibody profile) The above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention is usually carried out once.However, in vitro immunoassay is non-invasive and can be repeated whenever necessary to build the profile of autoantibody production in subject, either before the onset of lung cancer, in the screening of " at risk " individuals, or throughout the course of disease.Therefore, this method can be used to determine the antibody profile of the subject who has or is suspected of having lung cancer.

[0274] In one embodiment, there is provided an in vitro method for determining the autoantibody profile of an individual afflicted with lung cancer by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and b) determining whether or not a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody is present in the test sample; and repeated to establish a profile of autoantibody production.

[0275] In one preferred embodiment of the in vitro method, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and p62. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the in vitro method, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0276] In one embodiment, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0277] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is detected.

[0278] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0279] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0280] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 is detected.

[0281] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE is detected.

[0282] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting four or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 is detected.

[0283] In certain preferred embodiments, the method comprises detecting five or more autoantibodies, and the method comprises (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0284] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0285] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0286] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0287] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C.

[0288] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0289] In certain embodiments, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE.

[0290] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C.

[0291] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95.

[0292] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0293] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0294] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20.

[0295] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE.

[0296] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20.

[0297] In certain embodiments, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0298] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95.

[0299] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C.

[0300] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0301] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0302] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2.

[0303] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0304] In certain embodiments, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0305] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5.

[0306] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16.

[0307] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0308] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C.

[0309] In certain embodiments, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0310] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0311] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS.

[0312] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0313] In certain embodiments, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS.

[0314] All limitations discussed above with respect to the various methods of the present invention are intended with respect to the in vitro methods of determining antibody profiles.

[0315] (Use of a panel of tumor marker antigens to detect lung cancer) The present invention provides the use of a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens for the detection of lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific to either p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject.

[0316] In one embodiment, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0317] In certain preferred embodiments, four or more autoantibodies are detected and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is detected.

[0318] In certain preferred embodiments, four or more autoantibodies are detected and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0319] In certain preferred embodiments, four or more autoantibodies are detected and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2 is detected.

[0320] In certain preferred embodiments, four or more autoantibodies are detected and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE is detected.

[0321] In certain preferred embodiments, four or more autoantibodies are detected and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens (four of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1), wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1 is detected.

[0322] In certain preferred embodiments, five or more autoantibodies are detected, and the method comprises the step of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0323] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0324] In one embodiment, the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x)p53, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ノーゼ-1, p53-C; (xxi) p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-ノー-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The tumor marker antigen comprises or consists of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0325] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0326] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C.

[0327] In one embodiment, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0328] In one embodiment, seven or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE.

[0329] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C.

[0330] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95.

[0331] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0332] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0333] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20.

[0334] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens (eight of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE), and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE.

[0335] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20.

[0336] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0337] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95.

[0338] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C.

[0339] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0340] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0341] In one embodiment, eight or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens (eight of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2), and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2.

[0342] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0343] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0344] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5.

[0345] In one embodiment, nine or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16.

[0346] In one embodiment, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0347] In one embodiment, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C.

[0348] In one embodiment, 10 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0349] In one embodiment, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0350] In one embodiment, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS.

[0351] In one embodiment, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0352] In one embodiment, 11 or more autoantibodies are detected, and the use comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS, and detecting the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS.

[0353] In this embodiment of the invention, all limitations discussed above with respect to the various methods of the invention are contemplated with respect to this use.

[0354] Also provided is the use of a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens for the detection of lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific to two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject.

[0355] Other uses of this method The method can be used to identify individuals at risk of developing lung cancer in a population of asymptomatic individuals.

[0356] The assay method can be repeated multiple times to provide continuous monitoring for disease recurrence. The method can be used in detecting recurrent disease in patients who have previously been diagnosed with lung cancer and have undergone lung cancer treatment to reduce the amount of lung cancer present.

[0357] The method can be used in assessing the prognosis of a patient diagnosed with lung cancer, in monitoring the progression of lung cancer in a patient, or in monitoring the response of a lung cancer patient to lung cancer treatments (e.g., surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy).

[0358] When an immunoassay is used to monitor the progression of lung cancer in a subject, the presence of elevated levels of autoantibodies compared to a "normal control" is interpreted as an indication of the presence of cancer in the patient. The "normal control" may be the level of autoantibodies present in a control individual, preferably an age-matched individual, who has no diagnosis of lung cancer based on clinical, imaging, and / or biochemical criteria. Alternatively, the "normal control" may be a "baseline" level established for a particular subject under study. The "baseline" level may be, for example, the level of autoantibodies present at the time of either the initial lung cancer diagnosis or the diagnosis of lung cancer recurrence. An increase above the baseline level is interpreted as an indication that the amount of cancer present in the patient is increasing, while a decrease below the baseline level is interpreted as an indication that the amount of cancer present in the patient is decreasing.

[0359] Immunoassay methods can complement existing screening, diagnosis, and surveillance methods. For example, the method of the present invention can be used in combination with existing methods to confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer. In some embodiments, the method of the present invention is performed in combination with CT scan, chest x-ray, PET-CT scan, bronchoscopy and biopsy, thoracoscopy, or any other suitable method for diagnosing lung cancer.

[0360] (F. Kit) The present invention provides a kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Also encompassed are kits comprising:

[0361] In one embodiment of the kit, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and p62. In an alternative embodiment of the kit, the three tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, and KOC.

[0362] In one embodiment, the kit comprises: (c) a means for contacting the tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject; Further includes:

[0363] Examples of means for contacting a tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject include immobilizing the tumor marker antigen on a chip, slide, well of a microtiter plate, bead, membrane, or nanoparticle.

[0364] In certain embodiments, the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens includes p53, SSX2, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. In this embodiment, the panel can include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 of the listed tumor marker antigens.

[0365] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD.

[0366] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and MAGE A4.

[0367] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and SOX2.

[0368] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and CAGE.

[0369] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and NY-ESO-1.

[0370] In certain preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4.

[0371] In one embodiment, the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0372] It's a snowball fight. (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ノーゼ-1, p53-C; (xxi) p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-ノー-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-ラー-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 :This is a 1-year-old portion of the range of snowflakes.

[0373] For all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen p62, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which p62 is replaced by KOC. Similarly, for all embodiments in which the panel includes the tumor marker antigen KOC, the invention further encompasses the same panel in which KOC is replaced by p62.

[0374] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, and p53-C.

[0375] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0376] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX-2, and CAGE.

[0377] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, and p53-C.

[0378] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-95.

[0379] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0380] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0381] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CK20.

[0382] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, and CAGE.

[0383] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, and CK20.

[0384] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0385] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p53-95.

[0386] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and p53-C.

[0387] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, alpha-enolase-1, and p53-C.

[0388] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, and p53-95.

[0389] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of eight or more tumor marker antigens, eight of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, and Lmyc2.

[0390] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, and CK20.

[0391] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0392] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, and GBU4-5.

[0393] In certain embodiments, the kit comprises a panel of nine or more tumor marker antigens, nine of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, and p16.

[0394] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, KOC or p62, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0395] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, wherein 10 of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, and p53-C.

[0396] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 10 or more tumor marker antigens, 10 of which are p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0397] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, alpha-enolase-1, Lmyc2, and p53-C.

[0398] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, and KRAS.

[0399] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, and KRAS.

[0400] In one embodiment, the kit comprises a panel of 11 or more tumor marker antigens, 11 of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, and KRAS.

[0401] In the kit of the present invention, the tumor marker antigen is a natural protein or polypeptide, a recombinant protein or polypeptide, a synthetic protein or polypeptide, a synthetic peptide, a peptidomimetic, a polysaccharide, or a nucleic acid.

[0402] In the kit of the present invention, the body fluid may be selected from the group consisting of plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, postoperative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, and wound drainage fluid.

[0403] The kit of the present invention is suitable for carrying out any one of the above-mentioned methods of the present invention.In particular, the kit of the present invention is suitable for detecting lung cancer.Therefore, in some embodiments, the kit is for detecting lung cancer.

[0404] Also provided herein is a kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, the kit comprising: (a) a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; : A kit including:

[0405] Also provided herein is a kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, the kit comprising: (a) a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; : A kit including:

[0406] The invention will now be further understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples. [Example]

[0407] (Example) Example 1: Method for measuring autoantibodies against tumor-associated proteins (antigens) Tumor marker antigen samples can be prepared by recombinant expression according to methods similar to those described in WO 99 / 58978 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Briefly, cDNAs encoding the marker antigens of interest (Table 1) were cloned into pET21 or pET45 vectors (Invitrogen) modified to encode a biotin tag and a 6x histidine tag (His tag) to aid in the purification of the expressed protein. The resulting clones were grown in BL21(DE3) Escherichia coli, and the bacteria were subsequently lysed. The expressed antigens were recovered using a nickel-chelate affinity column (HiTrap, commercially available from GE Healthcare) according to the manufacturer's protocol. The purity, specificity, and yield of the expressed proteins were assessed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and protein assays before storage.

[0408] The negative control protein, VOL, was produced by transforming BL21(DE3) E. coli with the empty pET21 vector (i.e., without the cDNA encoding the tumor-associated antigen). The expressed and purified protein contained the same His and biotin tag sequences found in the recombinant tumor-associated antigen, allowing for correction of nonspecific autoantibody binding against residual bacterial contaminants. Table 1: Antigen details and accession numbers [Table 1]

[0409] Gene IDs and protein accession numbers can be found on the NCBI website available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

[0410] Antigen and VOL (negative control) were diluted to the appropriate concentrations (160 and / or 50 nM) in boric acid coating buffer (pH 8.5) and dispensed into the wells of a microtiter plate at 100 μl / well using an automated liquid handling system according to the plate layout (Figure 1A). The plate was covered and stored at +18 to +22°C for 18 to 24 hours, after which all wells were washed with PBS + 0.1% Tween 20 using an automated plate washer. The plate was gently tapped dry on absorbent paper, and 200 μl / well of blocking buffer was added.

[0411] The plates were then stored at +18 to +22°C for 2 hours, after which the contents of the wells were aspirated and the plates were allowed to air dry overnight.

[0412] Serum samples were thawed, mixed, and diluted 1 / 110 in sample antibody diluent (either PBS-1% BSA+0.1% Tween 80+0.01% Pluronic F-127 or PBS+0.1% casein) at +18 to +22°C. 100 μl of each diluted serum sample was dispensed into a microtiter plate at each well according to the plate layout in Figure 1B.

[0413] On-plate calibrators, high controls, and low controls, all using a chimeric human-rabbit anti-His tag monoclonal antibody (Sigma), were diluted in analyte antibody diluent and dispensed at 100 μl / well into a microtiter plate according to the plate layout in Figure 1 B. The plate was covered and incubated at room temperature with shaking for 1.5 hours.

[0414] The plate was washed as described above, and 100 μl / well of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin diluted in sample antibody diluent was dispensed into all wells of the microtiter plate. The plate was then incubated at room temperature with shaking for 1 hour. The plate was washed as described above.

[0415] Pre-prepared 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate was added to each plate at 100 μl / well and incubated on the bench for 15 minutes. The plate was gently tapped to mix. After 15 minutes, stop solution (1 M HCl) was added at 100 μl / well. The optical density of each well was determined at 450 nm using a standard spectrophotometric plate reader.

[0416] Example 2: Detection of autoantibodies in Chinese lung cancer patients using a commercially available EarlyCDT Lung test kit The EarlyCDT Lung kit assay (Oncimmune Limited, Nottingham, UK) was performed according to the instructions for use (IFU), applying the cutoff recommended by the manufacturer. Serum samples were collected from a Han Chinese population in China, and the clinical and demographic status of this cohort (Cohort 1) is shown in Table 2. Table 2: Demographics of Cohort 1 consisting of lung cancer cases and a control cohort of individuals with benign lung disease or no evidence of malignancy (healthy normals). [Table 2]

[0417] Briefly, the EarlyCDT Lung test detects autoantibodies (AAbs) against a panel of seven antigens (Table 3). The results (Table 3) show that for this cohort, the EarlyCDT Lung test had a sensitivity of 32.1% for lung cancer using the established cutoffs, and specificities of 79.1% and 76.8% for the healthy and benign control cohorts, respectively. It is therefore clear that both the sensitivity and specificity using this cohort of samples from Chinese patients were lower than the stated performance claims (41% sensitivity and 90% specificity).

[0418] These results suggest that the EarlyCDT Lung test panel, developed and validated for early detection of lung cancer in Western patients, may not be optimal for achieving the same goal in Chinese patients, and that different cutoffs or autoantibodies may be needed to account for racial differences between the two regional populations. Table 3: Individual autoantibody (AAb) and panel positivity in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases, benign lung disease controls, and healthy normal controls) using the EarlyCDT Lung test kit. [Table 3]

[0419] Example 3: Detection of autoantibodies in Chinese lung cancer patients using a commercially available CancerProbe test An autoantibody test for the early detection of lung cancer (English name: 7-type autoantibody test kit (ELISA), "CancerProbe") has been launched in China (manufactured by Hangzhou Cancer Probe Biotechnology Company, Hangzhou, China). This test also measures autoantibodies against a panel of seven antigens, four of which are also present in the EarlyCDT Lung test (p53, SOX2, CAGE, and GBU4-5) and three of which are different (GAGE-7, MAGE A1, and PGP9.5).

[0420] Autoantibodies were measured in a set of samples collected from a Han population in China (n=62; subset of cohort 1, Table 2) using the CancerProbe test according to the instructions for use (IFU).

[0421] The performance of the CancerProbe test (Table 4) was compared to that of the EarlyCDT Lung test on the same subset of samples (Table 5). Autoantibody levels were measured according to the IFU for each test. Table 4: Individual autoantibody (AAb) and total panel positivity in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases, benign lung disease controls, and healthy normal controls) for the CancerProbe test. [Table 4] Table 5: Individual autoantibody (AAb) and total panel positivity in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases, benign lung disease controls, and healthy normal controls) for the EarlyCDT Lung test. [Table 5]

[0422] These results show that for this cohort, the CancerProbe test had a sensitivity of 42.9% and a specificity of 61.9% and 80.0% for the benign and healthy controls, respectively. These results also show that for the same patient group, the EarlyCDT Lung test had a sensitivity of 52.4% and a specificity of 47.6% and 75.0% for the benign and healthy controls, respectively.

[0423] Example 4: Determination of an optimized antigen panel for early detection of lung cancer in a Chinese population The following data are from a study to explore the sensitivity and specificity of the developed assay (methods detailed in Example 1) on an independent patient cohort, investigating panel performance of a panel of up to 14 markers selected from p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS, and alpha-enolase. All antigens were coated at 50 nM. CancerProbe testing was also performed on the same cohort according to the IFU.

[0424] The clinical and demographic status of the subjects included in this study (Cohort 2) is shown in Table 6. These are completely independent patient groups from those investigated in Examples 2 and 3 (Cohort 1 and a subset of Cohort 1, respectively). Table 6: Demographics of Cohort 2, consisting of lung cancer cases and a control cohort of individuals with benign lung disease. [Table 6]

[0425] (i) The panel of seven antigens included in the EarlyCDT Lung test The optimal cutoff in RU was determined using a multivariate cutoff optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing.

[0426] The results (Table 7) show that when the optimized cutoff set for this Chinese cohort was applied to the assay results, this panel, comparable to the EarlyCDT Lung test panel, had a sensitivity of 31.6% for lung cancer and a specificity of 90.9% for the benign control cohort. It is clear that both the sensitivity and specificity were lower than the stated EarlyCDT Lung test performance claims for this Chinese cohort (41% sensitivity and 91% specificity). This suggests that a panel developed and validated for early detection of lung cancer in Western patients may not be optimal for achieving the same objective in Chinese patients, and that additional autoantibodies may need to be measured to account for racial differences between the two regional populations. Table 7: Individual autoantibodies (AAb) and EarlyCDT Lung test panel positivity in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases and benign lung disease controls) for the indicated cutoffs. [Table 7]

[0427] (ii) CancerProbe test panel The results and performance of the CancerProbe test for the same patient cohort are shown in Table 8, resulting in an overall sensitivity of 26.5% and a specificity of 96.4% for the benign control group. Table 8: Positivity of the full panel of individual autoantibodies (AAb) and Cancerprobe tests in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases, benign lung disease controls, and healthy normal controls). [Table 8]

[0428] To determine the possible sensitivity at the expense of reduced specificity, pseudo-annealing optimization was performed on the investigated cohort. The cutoff found by pseudo-annealing optimization suggested a maximum sensitivity of 40.8% for a specificity of 90.9%, but this optimization was likely overfitting due to the small size of the control cohort.

[0429] (iii) Alternative test panels of 3–14 markers Optimal cutoffs in RU for assay results in this cohort for panels of 14, 9, 5, and 3 markers were determined using a multivariate cutoff optimization algorithm based on pseudoannealing. This approach identified several different panels of varying size and performance (Tables 9-12, Figures 2-5), which were determined using the exact same patient population and therefore could be directly compared to CancerProbe test performance. For the panel identified below, with a specificity of 90.9%, panel sensitivity ranged from 37.8 to 48.0%, thus all demonstrating superior performance to the CancerProbe test for the same Chinese cohort. Table 9: Performance characteristics of the top-ranking panels in Figure 2 [Table 9] Table 10: Performance characteristics of the top-ranking panels in Figure 3 [Table 10] Table 11: Performance characteristics of the top-ranking panels in Figure 4 [Table 11] Table 12: Performance characteristics of cutoffsets A to D in Figure 5 [Table 12] * In the absence of p53, optimization failed to find a panel whose performance met the search constraints.

[0430] These results suggest that panels of 3-14 markers, each incorporating at least p53, SSX1, and p62, perform as well as or better than the CancerProbe test for the same cohort. Even if results are comparable to those of the CancerProbe test (e.g., a three-marker panel of p53, p62, and SSX1), the simplification of using only three tumor marker antigens is advantageous.

[0431] Example 5: Detection of autoantibodies against an expanded set of antigens in Chinese lung cancer patients using the developed assay The following data were obtained from a feasibility study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the developed assay (method detailed in Example 1) for a panel of up to 21 markers (Table 1), including the markers used in the EarlyCDT Lung kit (Example 2). This was conducted to evaluate the performance of the EarlyCDT Lung panel on a larger, independent cohort. The study aimed to determine whether optimizing marker cutoffs and / or replacing some markers for the Chinese population would improve test performance.

[0432] Antigens were coated at either 50 nM (p53, MAGE A4, SOX2, HuD, and NY-ESO-1), 160 nM (CAGE and GBU4-5), or both concentrations (CK8, CK20, EGFR1-ECD, EGFR1-EP, EGFR1-KD, EGFR2, EGFR-L858R, EGFR-VIII, KRAS, p16, p53-95, p62, α-enolase, and SSX1).

[0433] The clinical and demographic status of the subjects included in this study (Cohort 3) is shown in Table 13. Table 13: Demographics of Cohort 3, consisting of lung cancer case and control cohorts of individuals with no history of malignancy (healthy normals) for use in development assays. [Table 13]

[0434] The optimal cutoff in criterion units (RU) for the assay results of the cohort for the seven-marker panel was determined using a multivariate cutoff optimization algorithm based on pseudo-annealing. This approach identified several different panels, and the ROC scatter plot (Figure 6) shows the range of sensitivity and specificity combinations that can be obtained with various cutoff combinations. The best-performing seven-marker panel, with a sensitivity of 41.2% and a specificity of 94.4%, is detailed in Table 14. Table 14: Positivity of individual autoantibody (AAb) markers and the full panel of seven markers in each patient cohort (lung cancer cases and healthy normal controls) for the indicated cutoffs for the development assay cohort. [Table 14] Cutoff for autoantibodies against coated antigens at a) 50 nM or b) 160 nM

[0435] These analyses show that by exchanging some of the markers and optimizing the cutoffs for the Chinese population, the performance of the seven-marker panel can be improved to a level similar to that specified for the EarlyCDT Lung test in Western populations.

[0436] Example 6: Determination of an optimized panel of antigens for early detection of lung cancer in Western populations The following data was obtained from a study to explore panel performance for a panel of up to 19 markers selected from p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase in three independent cohorts of patients living in Western Europe or the USA. All antigens were coated at 50 nM and 160 nM.

[0437] The clinical and demographic status of the subjects included in this study (training cohort, test cohort, and validation cohort) are shown in Tables 15 to 17. These are patient groups completely independent of the Chinese patient groups investigated in Examples 2, 3, and 4. Table 15: Demographics of the training cohort consisting of lung cancer cases and a control cohort of individuals without lung disease [Table 15] Table 16: Demographics of the study cohort consisting of lung cancer cases and a control cohort of individuals without lung disease [Table 16] Table 17: Demographics of the validation cohort consisting of lung cancer cases and a control cohort of individuals without lung disease [Table 17]

[0438] The optimal cutoff in RU for the assay results of each cohort for panels of up to 14 markers was determined using a multivariate cutoff optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing. This approach identified several different panels of various sizes (Table 18), whose performance (Table 19) could be directly compared to that of the EarlyCDT Lung commercial test, which was determined for the exact same three patient cohorts. Table 18: Components of panels selected for high specificity [Table 18] Table 19: Summary of cohort performance in selected high specificity panels [Table 19] sens=sensitivity; spec=specificity; tr=training cohort; te=test cohort; val=validation cohort

[0439] These results suggest that a panel of 6 to 10 markers, each incorporating at least p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, would perform similarly to the EarlyCDT Lung test panel in each of the three Western cohorts studied. Both p62 and KOC are members of the highly conserved insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding (IMP) protein family and are 65% homologous. Therefore, it is not surprising that panels can harbor autoantibodies to p62 and / or KOC, as these proteins are highly likely to share tumor-associated autoantibody epitopes. While panels incorporating at least p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC perform similarly to the EarlyCDT Lung test panel in Western populations, the improved performance in Chinese populations for lung cancer detection provides a panel for testing that is globally applicable.

[0440] The present invention should not be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein are broadly applicable and may be combined, where appropriate, with any and all other consistent embodiments, including those taken (including separately) from other aspects of the invention.

[0441] Various publications and patent applications are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0442] The present invention can be further understood with reference to the following clauses.

[0443] 1. A method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, p62, and SSX1, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, and SSX1; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, and SSX1 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0444] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, p62, and SSX1, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0445] 3. The method of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein four or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising the step of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0446] 4. The method of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein five or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising the step of (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer.

[0447] 5. The method of clause 4, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4, and SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, and KRAS.

[0448] 6. A panel of 5 or more tumor marker antigens (i) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, P53-95, KRAS; (ix) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; and (x)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS 6. The method of clause 5, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0449] 7. (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample : 7. The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the presence or absence of the autoantibody is based on a comparison of the amount of specific binding observed with a predetermined cut-off value.

[0450] 8. Tumor marker antigens are provided in multiple different amounts, (a) contacting a test sample with a plurality of different amounts of the tumor marker antigen; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody; (d) plotting or calculating a curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of tumor marker antigen for each amount of tumor marker antigen used in step (a); and (e) determining the presence or absence of the autoantibody based on the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody at different amounts of each tumor marker antigen used. 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, comprising:

[0451] 9. (d1) calculating quadratic curve parameters from the curve plotted or calculated in step (d); and (e) Presence or absence of autoantibodies (i) the amount of specific binding between the autoantibody and the tumor marker antigen determined in step (b); and (ii) the quadratic curve parameters determined in step (d1); determining based on a combination of: 9. The method of clause 8, further comprising:

[0452] 10. An in vitro method for determining the autoantibody profile of an individual suffering from lung cancer by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, p62, and SSX1, comprising: a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, and SSX1; and b) determining whether or not a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody is present in the test sample; : an in vitro method comprising:

[0453] 11. A method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, p62, and SSX1, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, and SSX1; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) diagnosing the subject with lung cancer when a complex containing at least the tumor marker antigens p53, p62, and SSX1 bound to autoantibodies present in the test sample is detected; and (d) administering lung cancer treatment to the subject diagnosed with the disease. :A method including:

[0454] 12. A method for predicting response to lung cancer treatment, comprising detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, p62, and SSX1; (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, and SSX1; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample; and (d) comparing the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody with a pre-established relationship between the amount of binding and a likely therapeutic outcome. Contains: wherein a change in the amount of said specific binding compared to a control predicts whether said patient will respond or not to said lung cancer treatment.

[0455] 13. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the lung cancer treatment is selected from the group consisting of surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

[0456] 14. Use of a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens for the detection of lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific for p53, p62, and SSX1 in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject.

[0457] 15. The method of any one of clauses 10 to 13 or the use of clause 14, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, p62, and SSX1, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0458] 16. The method of any one of clauses 10 to 13 or the use of clause 14, wherein four or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD, and wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD is detected.

[0459] 17. The method of any one of clauses 10 to 13 or the use of clause 14, wherein five or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4, and wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected.

[0460] 18. The method or use of clause 17, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4, and SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, and KRAS.

[0461] 19. A panel of 5 or more tumor marker antigens (i) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; and (x)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS 19. The method or use according to clause 18, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0462] 20. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, p62, and SSX1; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; :Includes the kit.

[0463] twenty one. (c) a means for contacting the tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject; 21. The kit of clause 20, further comprising:

[0464] 22. The kit of clause 21, wherein the means for contacting the tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject comprises the tumor marker antigen immobilized on a chip, slide, plate, well of a microtiter plate, bead, membrane, or nanoparticle.

[0465] 23. The kit of any one of clauses 20-22, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, p62, and SSX1, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS, and alpha-enolase-1.

[0466] 24. The kit of any one of clauses 20-22, comprising a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, SSX1, and HuD.

[0467] 25. The kit of any one of clauses 20-22, comprising a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of the tumor marker antigens being p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4.

[0468] 26. The kit of clause 25, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, and MAGE A4, and SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, and KRAS.

[0469] 27. A panel of 5 or more tumor marker antigens (i) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix) p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; and (x)p53, p62, SSX1, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS 27. The kit of clause 26, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

[0470] 28. A kit according to any one of clauses 20 to 27 for the detection of lung cancer.

[0471] 29. The method, use, or kit according to any one of clauses 1 to 28, wherein the tumor marker antigen is a natural protein or polypeptide, a recombinant protein or polypeptide, a synthetic protein or polypeptide, a synthetic peptide, a peptidomimetic, a polysaccharide, or a nucleic acid.

[0472] 30. The method, use, or kit according to any one of clauses 1 to 29, wherein the body fluid is selected from the group consisting of plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, post-operative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, and wound drainage fluid.

[0473] 31. A method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting an autoantibody in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein the autoantibody is immunologically specific for a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: wherein the presence of said complex indicates the presence of said lung cancer.

[0474] 32. The method of clause 31, wherein two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more autoantibodies are detected; (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8. wherein the presence of a complex containing at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0475] 33. The method of clause 31, wherein seven or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8. Including, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0476] 34. The method of clause 33, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer.

[0477] 35. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; :Includes the kit.

[0478] 36. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; :Includes the kit.

[0479] 37. Use of a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific to two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject. The present application provides the following aspects of the invention. (Aspect 1) 1. A method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 2) 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62, and the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and p62 indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 3) 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC, and the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and KOC indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 4) 4. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 5) 5. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein four or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising the step of: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is indicative of the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 6) 6. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein five or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising the step of: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 7) 7. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 8) the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, P53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-enolase-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 8. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from: (Aspect 9) (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample. : The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the presence or absence of the autoantibody is based on a comparison of the amount of specific binding observed with a predetermined cutoff value. (Aspect 10) 10. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the tumor marker antigen is provided in a plurality of different amounts, (a) contacting the test sample with a plurality of different amounts of the tumor marker antigen; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody; (d) plotting or calculating a curve of the amount of specific binding versus the amount of tumor marker antigen for each amount of tumor marker antigen used in step (a); and (e) determining the presence or absence of the autoantibody based on the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody at different amounts of each tumor marker antigen used. The method comprising: (Aspect 11) (d1) calculating quadratic curve parameters from the curve plotted or calculated in step (d); and (e) determining the presence or absence of the autoantibody (i) the amount of specific binding between the autoantibody and the tumor marker antigen determined in step (b); and (ii) the quadratic curve parameters determined in step (d1); determining based on a combination of: 11. The method of embodiment 10, further comprising: (Aspect 12) 1. An in vitro method for determining the autoantibody profile of an individual suffering from lung cancer by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and b) determining whether or not a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody is present in the test sample; and repeated to establish a profile of autoantibody production. (Aspect 13) 1. A method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) diagnosing the subject with lung cancer when a complex containing at least the tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and any one of p62 and KOC bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample is detected; and (d) administering lung cancer treatment to the subject diagnosed with the disease. The method comprising: (Aspect 14) 1. A method for predicting response to lung cancer treatment, comprising detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific for tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; (c) detecting the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody present in the test sample; and (d) comparing the amount of specific binding between the tumor marker antigen and the autoantibody with a pre-established relationship between the amount of binding and a likely therapeutic outcome. Contains: wherein a change in the amount of specific binding compared to a control predicts whether the patient will respond or not to the lung cancer treatment. (Aspect 15)

[0023] Aspect 15. The method of aspect 13 or aspect 14, wherein the lung cancer treatment is selected from the group consisting of surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, biotherapy, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. (Aspect 16) Use of a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting immunologically specific autoantibodies to either p53, SSX1, and p62 or KOC in a test sample containing a body fluid from the mammalian subject. (Aspect 17) 17. The method of any one of aspects 12 to 15 or the use of aspect 16, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62. (Aspect 18) 17. The method of any one of aspects 12 to 15 or the use of aspect 16, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC. (Aspect 19) 17. The method of any one of aspects 12 to 15 or the use of aspect 16, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 20) 17. The method of any one of aspects 12 to 15 or the use of aspect 16, wherein four or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising contacting the test sample with a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD is detected. (Aspect 21) 17. The method of any one of aspects 12 to 15 or the use of aspect 16, wherein five or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is detected. (Aspect 22) 22. The method or use of embodiment 21, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 23) the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-enolase-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 23. The method or use of any one of aspects 12 to 22, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from: (Aspect 24) 1. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; The kit comprises: (Aspect 25) 25. The kit of embodiment 24, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62. (Aspect 26) 25. The kit of embodiment 24, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and KOC. (Aspect 27) (c) a means for contacting said tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject. 27. The kit of any one of embodiments 24 to 26, further comprising: (Aspect 28) 28. The kit of embodiment 27, wherein the means for contacting the tumor marker antigen with a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject comprises the tumor marker antigen immobilized on a chip, slide, plate, well of a microtiter plate, bead, membrane, or nanoparticle. (Aspect 29) 29. The kit of any one of aspects 24 to 28, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 30) 49. The kit of any one of embodiments 24 to 48, comprising a panel of four or more tumor marker antigens, four of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, and HuD. (Aspect 31) A panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, wherein five of the tumor marker antigens are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, the kit according to any one of embodiments 24 to 48. (Aspect 32) 32. The kit of embodiment 31, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, and one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, p53-C, CK8, KRAS, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1. (Aspect 33) the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, p53-95, KRAS; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS; (x) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS; (xi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-C; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5, p53-C; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-ノラー-1; (xv) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p53-95; (xvi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-ノーゼ-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xvii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, p53-C; (xviii) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16, p53-95, p53-C; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ツー-1, p53-C; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-ノーゼ-1, p53-C; (xxi) p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16, p53-95; (xxii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-ノー-1, p53-C; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2, p53-C; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5, p53-95; and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 33. The kit according to any one of aspects 24 to 32, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from: (Aspect 34) The kit according to any one of embodiments 24 to 33, for detecting lung cancer. (Aspect 35) 35. The method, use, or kit according to any one of aspects 1 to 34, wherein the tumor marker antigen is a naturally occurring protein or polypeptide, a recombinant protein or polypeptide, a synthetic protein or polypeptide, a synthetic peptide, a peptidomimetic, a polysaccharide, or a nucleic acid. (Aspect 36) 36. The method, use, or kit of any one of aspects 1 to 35, wherein said bodily fluid is selected from the group consisting of plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, post-operative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, and wound drainage fluid. (Aspect 37) A method for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting an autoantibody in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, wherein the autoantibody is immunologically specific for a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; (a) contacting the test sample with a tumor marker antigen selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Contains: wherein the presence of the complex indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 38) 38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8. wherein the presence of a complex containing at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 39) 38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein seven or more autoantibodies are detected, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of the tumor marker antigens being p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8. The process includes the steps of: wherein the presence of a complex containing at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 indicates the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 40) 40. The method of embodiment 39, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 is indicative of the presence of lung cancer. (Aspect 41) 1. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more tumor marker antigens, wherein at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven of the tumor marker antigens are selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; The kit comprises: (Aspect 42) 1. A kit for detecting autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from a mammalian subject, comprising: (a) a panel of seven or more tumor marker antigens, seven of which are p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8; and (b) a reagent capable of detecting a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; The kit comprises: (Aspect 43) Use of a panel of two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven or more tumor marker antigens for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting autoantibodies immunologically specific to two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, SOX2, GBU4-5, HuD, p53-95, and CK8 in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject.

Claims

1. 1. A method for providing an indicator for detecting lung cancer in a mammalian subject by detecting three or more autoantibodies in a test sample comprising a body fluid from the mammalian subject, comprising: wherein three of the autoantibodies are immunologically specific to tumor marker antigens p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; The method comprises: (a) contacting the test sample with a panel of three or more tumor marker antigens, three of which are p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC; and (b) determining the presence or absence of a complex of the tumor marker antigen bound to an autoantibody present in the test sample; Including, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and either p62 or KOC is an indicator of the presence of lung cancer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens includes p53, SSX1, and p62, and the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and p62 is an indication of the presence of lung cancer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens includes p53, SSX1, and KOC, and the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, and KOC is an indication of the presence of lung cancer.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel of three or more tumor marker antigens comprises p53, SSX1, and p62 and / or KOC, as well as one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS-G13C / Q61H, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

5. 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein five or more autoantibodies are detected, The method comprises contacting the test sample with a panel of five or more tumor marker antigens, five of which are p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, wherein the presence of a complex containing at least p53, SSX1, p62 or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4 is an indication of the presence of lung cancer.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the panel of five or more tumor marker antigens comprises one or more tumor marker antigens selected from the group consisting of p53, SSX1, p62 and / or KOC, HuD, and MAGE A4, as well as SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, GBU4-5, p53-95, CK8, KRAS-G13C / Q61H, ALDH1, p16, Lmyc2, and alpha-enolase-1.

7. the panel of tumor marker antigens comprises: (i) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE; (ii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20; (iii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE; (iv) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CAGE, CK20; (v)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vi)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20; (vii) p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, CK20, CK8, KRAS-G13C / Q61H; (viii)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CK20, CK8, P53-95, KRAS-G13C / Q61H; (ix)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, CK20, CK8, KRAS-G13C / Q61H; (x)p53, SSX1, p62, HuD, MAGE A4, SOX2, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, CK8, KRAS-G13C / Q61H; (xi)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, GBU4-5; (xiii)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, p16, GBU4-5; (xiv) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, α-enolase-1; (xv)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1; (xvi) p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, ALDH1, p16, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2; (xvii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16; (xviii)p53, SSX1, p62, CAGE, NY-ESO-1, p16; (xix)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1; (xx)p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, α-enolase-1; (xxi)p53, SSX1, p62, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxii) p53, SSX1, p62, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, α-enolase-1; (xxiii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, ALDH1, p16; (xxiv)p53, SSX1, KOC, HuD, NY-ESO-1, SOX2, p16, GBU4-5; (xxv)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, SOX2, GBU4-5, α-enolase-1, Lmyc2; (xxvi)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, HuD, p16, GBU4-5; ​​and (xxvii)p53, SSX1, KOC, CAGE, SOX2, ALDH1, GBU4-5, Lmyc2 The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising or consisting of one of the group of tumor marker antigens selected from:

8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tumor marker antigen is a natural protein or polypeptide, a recombinant protein or polypeptide, a synthetic protein or polypeptide, a synthetic peptide, a peptidomimetic, a polysaccharide, or a nucleic acid.

9. 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bodily fluid is selected from the group consisting of plasma, serum, whole blood, urine, sweat, lymph, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites, pleural effusion, semen, sputum, nipple aspirate, post-operative seroma, saliva, amniotic fluid, tears, and wound drainage fluid.

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