Overexpression of mammaglobin B in ovarian and endometrial tumors - a new diagnostic and therapeutic marker

摘要

The invention involves the discovery that the mammaglobin B gene is the single most overexpressed gene in primary ovarian serous papillary cancer over normal ovarian epithelium among over 14,000 genes tested. It is expressed over 800-fold higher in primary ovarian tumors than normal ovarian epithelium. Mammaglobin B gene expression was detected in endometrioid, mucinous, undifferentiated, serous papillary, clear cell, and mixed histology ovarian tumors. The protein can be found in blood and ascites fluid, and a simple blood test for the presence of mammaglobin B protein can provide early detection of ovarian and other cancers. The invention provides a method of screening for cancer involving detecting mammaglobin B in a fluid sample.