Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting metastases of epithelial cancers, comprising detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx, the overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or the overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx in non-primary tissue being correlated with metastases of epithelial cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides truncated gene-specific primers in panels that can be used during the reverse transcription step of RT-PCR to increase signal detection of cancer gene markers in a tissue sample. Also provided are forward and reverse primers for RT-PCR. Methods of using the primers are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting metastases of epithelial cancers, comprising detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx, the overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or the overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx in non-primary tissue being correlated with metastases of epithelial cancers.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting metastases of epithelial cancers, comprising detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx, the overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or the overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx in non-primary tissue being correlated with metastases of epithelial cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides truncated gene-specific primers in panels that can be used during the reverse transcription step of RT-PCR to increase signal detection of cancer gene markers in a tissue sample. Also provided are forward and reverse primers for RT-PCR. Methods of using the primers are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a subject at risk of recurrence of adenocarcinoma, comprising detecting markers associated with recurrence. Provided is a method of identifying a subject at risk for recurrence of adenocarcinoma, comprising determining the ratio of EpCAM2 to CK19 in primary adenocarcinoma tissue from the subject, a high ratio of EpCAM2 to CK19 M indicating a subject at risk for recurrence. Also provided is method of identifying a subject at risk for recurrence of adenocarcinoma, comprising determining the ratio of CK19 and P-cadherin in primary adenocarcinoma tissue from the subject, a low ratio of CK19 to P-cadherin indicating a subject at risk for recurrence. A method of identifying a subject at risk for recurrence of adenocarcinoma is provided, comprising determining the ratio of Map7 to EpCAM2 in primary adenocarcinoma tissue from the subject, a low ratio of Map7 to EpCAM2 indicating a subject at risk for recurrence.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of and determining prognosis of metastatic breast, lung, prostate, and/or pancreatic cancer using various genetic markers, including markers for gene clusters linked by Esx. In one method, breast cancer micrometastases and non-small cell lung cancer metastases or micrometastases are detected in a patient by determining whether the AGR2 or TFF1 genes are overexpressed in a cell sample compared to control lymph node tissue cells. In a further method, the likelihood that a patient diagnosed with breast cancer will respond to hormonal therapy is predicted by determining a higher expression level of the AGR2 gene compared to a control gene. In a further method, a decreased probability of survival for a patient diagnosed with early stage non-small cell lung cancer is predicted by determining a higher expression level of the AGR2 gene compared to a control gene. Kits for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting metastases of epithelial cancers, comprising detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or detecting in non-primary tissue overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx, the overexpression of a nucleic acid of KS1/4, or the overexpression of a combination of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and PIP, of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and mam, of nucleic acids of PIP and mam, of nucleic acids of KS1/4, PIP and mam, or of nucleic acids of KS1/4 and lunx in non-primary tissue being correlated with metastases of epithelial cancers.