Abstract: Methods of determining whether a patient is suitable for erythropoietin (EPO) therapy, including (A) isolating a tissue sample from said patient; (B) determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 in said sample; and (C) correlating a presence of EPH-B4 expression to a negative physiological response to EPO therapy). In addition, methods of enhancing the effectiveness of EPO therapy in a patient by administering to said patient, in conjunction with EPO therapy, an siRNA specific for EPH-B4.

Abstract: There is disclosed a molecular composition(s) of a novel tissue protective erythropoietin (EPO) binding receptor protein complex, termed NEPOR. Presence of NEPOR components on a tumour allows EPO to impinge on the survival of associated cells thereby enhancing tumour progression and negatively effecting patient survival. Presence of NEPOR represents a prognostic biomarker for poorer patient outcome. Thus, methods are provided for stratifying patients having a tumour as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present) or non-suitable (i.e., NEPOR present) for EPO treatment, comprising: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or is a candidate for receiving erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of the NEPOR gene(s) (mRNA) and/or the presence of the NEPOR gene product (protein) from the isolated tissue, and (c) correlating the presence of an NEPOR gene expression product or the presence of NEPOR protein to a physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a molecular composition(s) of a novel tissue protective erythropoietin (EPO) binding receptor protein complex, termed NEPOR. Presence of NEPOR components on a tumour allows EPO to impinge on the survival of associated cells thereby enhancing tumour progression and negatively effecting patient survival. Presence of NEPOR represents a prognostic biomarker for poorer patient outcome. Thus, methods are provided for stratifying patients having a tumour as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present) or non-suitable (i.e., NEPOR present) for EPO treatment, comprising: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or is a candidate for receiving erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of the NEPOR gene(s) (mRNA) and/or the presence of the NEPOR gene product (protein) from the isolated tissue, and (c) correlating the presence of an NEPOR gene expression product or the presence of NEPOR protein to a physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin.