Prostate

Example 16

Direct analysis of chemicals in animal tissue using probes of the invention was performed as shown in FIG. 29A. A small sections of tissue were removed and placed on a paper triangle. Methanol/water (1:1 v:v; 10 μl) was added to the paper as solvent and then 4.5 kV positive DC voltage was applied to produce the spray for MS analysis. Protonated hormone ions were observed for porcine adrenal gland tissue (1 mm³, FIG. 29B). FIG. 16 is a mass spectrum showing direct analysis of hormones in animal tissue by paper spray. A small piece of pig adrenal gland tissue (1 mm×1 mm×1 mm) was placed onto the paper surface, MeOH/water (1:1 v:v; 10 μl) was added and a voltage applied to the paper to produce a spray. The hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine were identified in the spectrum; at high mass the spectrum was dominated by phospolipid signals.

Lipid profiles were obtained for human prostate tissues (1 mm²×15 μm, FIGS. 29C and 29D) removed from the tumor and adjacent normal regions. Phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM) were identified in the spectra. The peak of [PC(34:1)+K]⁺ at m/z 798 was significantly more intense in tumor tissue (FIG. 29C) and peaks [SM(34:1)+Na]⁺ at m/z 725, [SM(36:0)+Na]⁺ at m/z 756, and [SM(36:4)+Na]⁺ at m/z 804 were significantly lower compared with normal tissue (FIG. 29D).

Example 3

At the time of diagnosis with prostate cancer, subjects are invited to participate in a trial. A subject sample, e.g., blood, is obtained. Periodically, throughout the monitoring, watchful waiting, or active treatment of the subject, e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, e.g., radiation of the prostate, surgery, e.g., surgical prostate resection, hormone therapy, a new subject sample is obtained. At the end of the study, all subject samples are tested for the level of FLNA and/or PSA, and optionally other markers. The subject samples are matched to the medical records of the subjects to correlate FLNA and/or PSA levels, as appropriate, with prostate cancer status at the time of diagnosis, rate of progression of disease, response of subjects to one or more interventions, and transitions between androgen dependent and independent status. Other markers, such as the expression level of keratin 19 and/or filamin B, the age of the subjects, or the prostate volume of the subjects, can also be analyzed in addition to filamin A and/or PSA.

Example 2

Using the antibodies of the invention as described herein, FLNA levels can be used to distinguish subjects who are or are not suffering from prostate cancer.

A series of subject samples are obtained from an appropriate source, e.g., a commercial source, wherein the samples were obtained from subjects with different stages of prostate cancer, e.g., aggressive prostate cancer, androgen sensitive, androgen insensitive, metastatic; or from subjects not suffering from prostate cancer, e.g., subjects with normal prostate or subjects with BPH. The samples are analyzed for the expression level of FLNA and/or PSA. Optionally other markers, such as the expression level of keratin 19 and/or filamin B, the age of the subjects, or the prostate volume of the subjects, can also be analyzed in addition to filamin A and/or PSA. The level of FLNA and PSA correlate with the presence or absence of disease, and with the severity of prostate cancer.