Abstract: Polypeptides, fragments thereof, antisera and monoclonal antibodies thereto are provided for the detection of retroviruses in the HTLV family capable of inducing transformation in human lymphocytes and other immune cells, regulation of viral replication and transformation or infection of human cells.

Abstract: Amplification of the HER-2/neu oncogene is related to the status of neoplastic diseases, particularly breast and ovarian adenocarcinomas. The presence of multiple gene copies in tumor cells indicates that the disease is more likely to spread beyond the primary tumor site, and that the disease therefore may require more aggressive treatment than might otherwise be indicated by other diagnostic factors. In particular, the degree of gene amplification appears to provide greater prognostic utility than either the estrogen receptor or the progesterone receptor, and provides utility equal to that of the determination of lymph node status. The information provided by the gene amplification test, however, is not duplicative with the determination of lymph node status and the two tests together provide greatly improved prognostic utility.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for identifying patients suffering from cancer, particularly neural and neuroendocrine cancers. It has been found that the protein expression product of the human N-mcy proto-oncogene may be detected in certain biological specimens, particularly tissue specimens and sputum samples. By obtaining immunogenic N-myc polypeptides, either synthetically or by isolation from a natural source, antibodies specific for the N-myc protein are obtained. Those antibodies may then be used in immunological techniques for detecting the presence of N-myc in the biological samples. In particular, the antibodies may be employed in immunohistochemical techniques to detect the N-myc protein in prepared tissue and sputum samples.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting the presence of tumors are provided, where a physiological sample is assayed for the expression product of a c-onc gene as diagnostic for the presence of the tumor. The method finds use in both pre- and postoperative situations with a host suspected of having transformed malignant cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting the presence of tumors are provided, where a physiological sample is assayed for the expression product of a c-onc gene as diagnostic for the presence of the tumor. The method finds use in both pre-and postoperative situations with a host suspected of having transformed malignant cells.