Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining whether a human subject is suffering from or at risk for developing pancreatic cancer by determining the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a biological sample from a human subject. Also disclosed are a method of analyzing the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a pancreatic cancer cell, and a method of inhibiting the methylation of an ID4 gene promoter or enhancing the expression of an ID4 gene by contacting a pancreatic cancer cell with a compound that decreases the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or increases the expression level of an ID4 gene in the cell.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer based on the methylation status of the ER-? gene promoter are disclosed. Methylation of the ER-? gene promoter is indicative of cancer and unfavorable prognosis. The cancer can be treated with a demethylation agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a quantitative realtime RT-PCR assay for detection of metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer cells or metastatic melanoma. The assay allows to predict disease recurrence and survival in patients with AJCC stage I and II, and III disease using multimarker panels. The method for detecting metastatic melanoma cells utilizes panels of markers selected from a group consisting of MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, MART-1, PAX3, Mitf, TRP-2, and Tyrosinase. The method for detecting metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer cells in paraffin-embedded samples utilizes panels of markers selected from a group consisting of C-Met, MAGE-A3, Stanniocalcin-1, mammoglobin, HSP27, GalNAcT, CK20, and ?-HCG.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identification and labeling of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and the presence or absence of lymph node metastases as an important diagnostic and prognostic factor in early stage cancers of all types. The method, know as Molecular Lymphatic Mapping, uses traditional dye/radioactive tracer based techniques in conjunction with a nucleic acid marker to identify and label the SLN, not only for current diagnostic methods, but for archival purposes. In addition, MLM can be used to deliver a therapeutic gene or genes to the SLN to activate tumor immunity to tumor cells, and/or to inhibit tumor metastases. The methods may be combined with therapeutic intervention including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining whether a human subject is suffering from or at risk for developing pancreatic cancer by determining the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a biological sample from a human subject. Also disclosed are a method of analyzing the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a pancreatic cancer cell, and a method of inhibiting the methylation of an ID4 gene promoter or enhancing the expression of an ID4 gene by contacting a pancreatic cancer cell with a compound that decreases the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or increases the expression level of an ID4 gene in the cell.

Abstract: A method is provided for assessing allelic losses and hypermethylation of genes in CpG tumor promotor region on specific chromosomal regions in cancer patients, including melanoma, neuroblastoma breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients. The method relies on the evidence that free DNA and hypermethylation of genes in CpG tumor promotor region may be identified in the bone marrow, serum, plasma, and tumor tissue samples of cancer patients. Methods of melanoma, neuroblastoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer detection, staging, and prognosis are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer based on the methylation status of the ER-? gene promoter are disclosed. Methylation of the ER-? gene promoter is indicative of cancer and unfavorable prognosis. The cancer can be treated with a demethylation agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment based on the expression or activity levels of RUNX3 and miR-532-5p. Also disclosed is a method of reducing the inhibition of RUNX3 by miR-532-5p with an agent that interferes with the interaction between RUNX3 and miR-532-5p transcripts.

Abstract: A method is provided for assessing allelic losses and hypermethylation of genes in CpG tumor promotor region on specific chromosomal regions in cancer patients, including melanoma, neuroblastoma breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients. The method relies on the evidence that free DNA and hypermethylation of genes in CpG tumor promotor region may be identified in the bone marrow, serum, plasma, and tumor tissue samples of cancer patients. Methods of melanoma, neuroblastoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer detection, staging, and prognosis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for predicting the outcome of rectal cancer and stratifying a rectal cancer treatment according to the level of DNA methylation at MINT 1, 3, 12, or 17. Also disclosed is a method of detecting rectal adenoma or malignancy based on the level of DNA methylation at MINT 2, 3, or 31.

Abstract: A method of detecting circulating DNA in a body fluid. The method comprises identifying a subject suffering from or at risk for developing cancer, obtaining a body fluid sample from the subject, and determining the sequence integrity of circulating DNA in the sample, wherein the circulating DNA is not purified from the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining whether a human subject is suffering from or at risk for developing pancreatic cancer by determining the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a biological sample from a human subject. Also disclosed are a method of analyzing the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or the expression level of an ID4 gene in a pancreatic cancer cell, and a method of inhibiting the methylation of an ID4 gene promoter or enhancing the expression of an ID4 gene by contacting a pancreatic cancer cell with a compound that decreases the methylation level of an ID4 gene promoter or increases the expression level of an ID4 gene in the cell.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis and treatment of cancer using ID4 are disclosed. Specifically, epigenetic inactivation of ID4 in colorectal carcinomas and breast correlates with poor differentiation and unfavorable prognosis. Further, aberrant hypermethylation of ID4 gene promoter region increases risk of metastasis in colorectal and breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting melanoma or breast cancer using DNA methylation in MINT17, MINT31, or the promoter region of WIF1, TFPI2, RASSF1A, SOCS1, GATA4, or RAR?2 as a biomarker. Also disclosed are methods of using the biomarker for determining the cancer status and predicting the outcome of the cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a RET mutant in a melanoma cell. Also disclosed is a method of modulating the activity of a RET mutant in a melanoma cell with an agent that interferes with the activity of the RET mutant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting LINE-1 (long interspersed nucleotide elements-1) DNA either methylated or unmethylated at the promoter region in a tissue or body fluid sample from a subject. Also disclosed are methods of using LINE-1 DNA as a biomarker for diagnosing, predicting, and monitoring cancer progression and treatment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether a melanoma will metastasize or has metastasized to the small intestine in a subject by detecting or quantifying the expression of the CCR9, CCL25/TECK, or integrin ?4 gene. Also disclosed are methods for treating subjects so identified.