Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosis and treatment of ciliated hepatic foregut cysts (CHFC). In particular, the methods utilize one or more cancer-testis (CT) antigens as a marker for CHFC. The methods can involve the following steps: (a) obtaining a biological sample from a subject; (b) measuring the level of a CT antigen (or the level of the CT antigen nucleic acid such as mRNA or DNA) in the sample, and comparing the sample CT antigen level (or the level of the CT antigen nucleic acid such as mRNA or DNA) to the level in normal healthy subjects. A sample CT antigen (or its mRNA or DNA) level in excess of the level in normal healthy subjects indicates CHFC.

Abstract: Cancer vaccines were demonstrated to be promising strategies for cancer treatment; however these strategies are limited by the paucity of target antigens that provoke an effective immune response. The Inventors of the present patent application propose that sperm fibrous sheet proteins constitute a new class of potential antigens for use in the development of effective, durable cancer vaccines. This hypothesis is supported by the expression of the sperm fibrous sheath protein, known as Sperm protein 17 (Sp17), which is detected in tumors of unrelated histological origin. It has the ability to induce T-cell based immune responses. The expression of the Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in tumors of unrelated histological origin, and its' natural localization in the human sperm fibrous sheath (FS), led the Inventors to hypothesize that FS proteins might represent a new potential class of target antigens useful for developing cancer vaccines, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.