A METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL RESPONSIVENESS OF A SUBJECT TO ANTI-CANCER DRUGS AFFECTING THE RAS SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAY

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for assessing and determining the potential responsiveness of a subject to treatment of pathologic disorder with a drug which affects to at least one step in the p21Ras signal transduction pathway. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a biological sample from said subject; and (b) determining the expression pattern of NF1 isoforms, particularly, type 1 and type 2 isoforms, in said sample by a suitable means. Whereby, predominant expression of the NF1 type 2 isoform is indicative of potential responsiveness of the tested subject to said drug and subjects demonstrating predominant expression of the type 1 isoform or even an equal expression of both isoforms, are not suitable candidates for treatment with such drug which affects at least one step in the p21Ras signal transduction pathway. The invention further provides kits for assessing the potential responsiveness of a subject to treatment of p21Ras signal transduction pathway targeted drugs.