Abstract: The present application provides novel human genes RNF43 whose expression is markedly elevated in colorectal cancers, as well as CXADRL1 and GCUD1 whose expression is markedly elevated in gastric cancers compared to corresponding non-cancerous tissues. The genes and polypeptides encoded by the genes can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of a cell proliferative disease, and as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and a kit for assessing the prognosis of lung cancer by detecting the expression level of the neuromedin U (NMU) gene in a patient-derived biological sample. The method and kit are particularly preferred for assessing the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of screening for a therapeutic agent for cancer, in particular, lung cancer, by detecting compounds that inhibit the binding of the NMU protein with the heterodimer of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1b (GHSR1b) and neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compounds for treating cancer as well as methods for predicting a prognosis of cancer. In particular, the present invention provides methods and kits for identifying inhibitors of the interaction between ANLN and RhoA which find utility in the treatment and prevention of cancer, particularly lung cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Also disclosed herein are compositions for treating or preventing cancer identified by the screening method of the present invention and methods of using same in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing breast cancer (BRC) are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BRC-associated gene that discriminates between BRC cells and normal cells. In another embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BRC-associated gene that discriminates among BRC cells, between DCIS and IDC cells. The present invention further provides means for predicting and preventing breast cancer metastasis using BRC-associated genes having unique altered expression patterns in breast cancer cells with lymph-node metastasis. Finally, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of breast cancer, methods of treating breast cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against breast cancer.

Abstract: The present application provides novel human genes B1194, A2282V1, A2282V2, and A2282V3 whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancer. These genes and polypeptides encoded thereby can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of breast cancer, and as target molecules for developing drugs against breast cancer.

Abstract: The present application provides novel human genes C1958V1 or C1958V2 whose expression is markedly elevated in pancreatic cancers compared to corresponding non-cancerous tissues. The genes and polypeptides encoded by the genes can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 8, 11, or 12; nonapeptides or decapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, 30, 33, 34, 40, or 46; and peptides with cytotoxic T cell inducibility, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted or added to the above-mentioned amino acid sequences, as well as pharmaceuticals for treating or preventing tumors, where the pharmaceuticals comprise these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.

Abstract: The present application provides novel human gene ELOVL7 whose expression is markedly elevated in prostate cancers. The gene and polypeptide encoded by the gene can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of prostate cancers, as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease, and for attenuating cell growth of prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 13, 32, and peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility, and also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides useful for treating and preventing cancer. The present invention also provides therapeutic agents or methods for treating cancer using the polypeptides. The polypeptides of the present invention are composed of an amino acid sequence which comprises VIVIT and is preferably a polypeptide in which the motif sequence PxIxIT at positions 37 to 41 of the amino acid sequence of the C1958 protein (SEQ ID NO: 2) is replaced with PVIVIT. The polypeptides of the present invention can be introduced into cancer cells by modifying the polypeptides with transfection agents such as poly-arginine. The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying inhibitors of the interaction between C1958 and PPP3CA which find utility in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Also disclosed herein are compositions for treating or preventing cancer identified by the screening method of the present invention and methods of using same in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing colon cancer are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of TOM34 that discriminates between colon cancer cells and normal cells. Finally, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of colon cancer, methods of treating colon cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against colon cancer.

Abstract: In order to identify the molecules involved in esophageal carcinogenesis and those to be useful for diagnostic markers as well as targets for new drugs and immunotherapy, a cDNA microarray representing 32,256 genes was constructed to analyze the expression profiles of 19 esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas (ESCCS) purified by laser-capture microdissection. A detailed genome-wide database for sets of genes that are significantly up- or down-regulated in esophageal cancer is disclosed herein. These genes find use in the development of therapeutic drugs or immunotherapy as well as tumor markers. Additionally, genes associated with lymph-node metastasis and post-surgery recurrence are disclosed herein. Among the candidate molecular target genes, a Homo sapiens epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 oncogene (ECT2) and a cell division cycle 45, S. cerevisiae, homolog-like (CDC45L) are further characterized.

Abstract: The present application provides novel human gene B7330N whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancers. The gene and polypeptide encoded by the gene can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of breast cancers, as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease, and for attenuating cell growth of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, 67, 89, as well as peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of the present invention can also be used as vaccines.

Abstract: A novel apoptosis-associated gene p53AIPI is isolated by screening for a gene the expression of which is induced by p53. Since the protein encoded by this gene has an activity of inducing apoptosis, this gene is useful in developing effective therapeutic agents for cancer mediated by apoptosis. A method of screening for a compound controlling the induction of apoptosis which is expected as being useful in developing an apoptosis controlling agent.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for determining the methyltransferase activity of a polypeptide and screening for modulators of methyltransferase activity, more particularly for modulators of the methylation of retinoblastoma by SMYD3. The invention further provides a method or pharmaceutical composition for prevention or treating of colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, bladder cancer and/or breast cancer using a modulator so identified. N-terminal truncated forms of SMYD3 (alias ZNFN3A1) have higher methylating activity. Lys 824 is a preferred methylation site on the RB1 protein for SMYD3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cytoxicity based on the effector function of anti-EphA4 antibodies. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an anti-EphA4 antibody as an active ingredient for damaging EphA4-expressing cells using antibody effector function. Since EphA4 is strongly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, the present invention is particularly useful in pancreatic cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provided methods for treating lung cancers using therapeutic agents for lung cancers comprising erbB receptor inhibitors as active ingredients. Methods for examining the responsiveness of lung cancer patients to erbB receptor inhibitors by using blood amphiregulin (AREG) as an indicator were provided. Furthermore, methods for treating lung cancers in which responsiveness to an erbB receptor inhibitor is determined based on blood AREG concentration, and in which therapeutic agents are selectively administered to patients expected to be responsive, were also provided. Advanced therapeutic effects can be expected by administering an erbB receptor inhibitor to patients predicted to be responsive. The present invention contributes to the improvement of therapeutic effects of gefitinib (Product name: Iressa®) and such on lung cancers.

Abstract: Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing bladder cancer (BLC) are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BLC-associated gene that discriminates between BLC cells and normal cells. The present invention further provides means for predicting and preventing bladder cancer metastasis using BLC-associated genes having unique altered expression patterns in bladder cancer cells with lymph-node metastasis. Finally, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of bladder cancer, methods of treating bladder cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against bladder cancer. In particular, the present application provides novel human genes C2093, B5860Ns and C6055s whose expression is markedly elevated in bladder cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cytotoxicity based on the effector function of anti-CDH3 antibodies. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an anti-CDH3 antibody as an active ingredient for damaging CDH3-expressing cells using antibody effector function. Since CDH3 is strongly expressed in pancreatic, lung, colon, prostate, breast, gastric or liver cancer cells, the present invention is useful in pancreatic, lung, colon, prostate, breast, gastric or liver cancer therapies.