Interleukin-18 as prognostic factor for prostatic cancer, with a high level of expression associated with better survival

摘要

Use of interleukin-18 (IL-18) as a prognostic factor for prostatic cancer (PC). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) prognosis of PC by determining the level of IL-18 in a plasma or serum sample; (2) prognosis of PC by determining IL-18, or its mRNA, in PC cells; (3) use of: (i) mono- or poly-clonal antibodies (Ab), or their fragments; or (ii) nucleic acids that hybridizes specifically to mRNA or cDNA that encodes IL-18 for in vitro prognosis of PC; and (4) kits for the new processes.