Abstract: Provided are methods for aiding in diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma. The methods involve determining elevated circulating Interleukin-18 (IL-18) values to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC. Medical interventions based on determining circulating IL-18 levels are provided and include additional scanning, surgical resection of tumors, and administration of adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy or immune therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic comprising an osteopontin isoform a (“OPNa”) inhibitor where the OPNa inhibitor blocks activity of extracellular OPNa exon 4. The OPNa inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of (i) an exon-4 specific antibody or binding portion thereof; (ii) a peptide mimic of OPNa exon 4 or a fragment thereof; (iii) a nucleic acid aptamer that specifically binds to OPNa exon 4 or a fragment thereof; and (iv) a peptide inhibitor that binds to OPNa exon 4 or a fragment thereof. The present invention also relates to methods of inhibiting tumor growth and/or metastasis in a subject, treating a subject with chemotherapeutic resistance, and methods of increasing tumor cell sensitivity to a cancer therapeutic by administering an OPNa inhibitor according to the present invention.