Abstract: The invention relates to methods for prognosing the recurrence of gastrointestinal and other cancers using tyrosine phosphorylated Shc (PY-Shc) and/or p66-Shc.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining whether a breast, prostate or ovarian tumor or tumor cell is aggressive, based on the quantitative measurement of p66-Shc and phosphorylated Shc. This invention also provides related methods of determining the likelihood of tumor recurrence. This invention further provides a method for determining whether a tumor can be successfully treated using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Finally, this invention provides antibodies and kits for practicing the instant methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for prognosing the recurrence of gastrointestinal and other cancers using tyrosine phosphorylated Shc (PY-Shc) and/or p66-Shc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting whether an individual (e.g., patient) will benefit from a (one or more) treatment for cancer comprising determining the amount of p66-Shc present in cancerous cells or precancerous cells (e.g., displasia) of the individual. If the amount of p66-Shc present in the cells of the individual is lower than the amount of p66-Shc in a control, then the individual will likely benefit from the treatment.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising bFGF or other FGF polypeptides and a cytotoxic agent are prepared. The cytotoxic agent can be a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), such as saporin, which is attached to bFGF through a chemical bond, or the composition can be prepared as a recombinant DNA chimera. The conjugates are used to specifically target cells, in vivo and in vitro, which express FGF receptors. The cytotoxicity of the conjugates is proportional to the number of receptors expressed by a cell type. The conjugate is useful to effectively treat mammals, and in particular human patients, afflicted with tumorigenic conditions, such as human melanomas, human ovarian carcinomas, teratocarcinomas and neuroblastomas, and other FGF-mediated tumors caused by a proliferation of cells which express FGF receptors.

Abstract: A hybridoma cell line is disclosed that secretes monoclonal antibodies which serve as a high titer, reproducible, biological reagent useful in biological/medical research for isolating and identifying phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition, the antibodies have potential uses in diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including certain cancers. The antibodies, which have demonstrated affinity for a variety of molecules containing o-phosphotyrosine residues, were prepared using a synthetic analog, p-azobenzyl phosphonate (ABP) covalently linked to a carrier protein, as the antigen.