Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the selection of serum biomarkers of epigenetic alterations, particularly of global hypomethylation, and the use of said biomarkers in a method for screening, diagnosing and following a pathology associated to epigenetic alterations of cell in an individual, such as placental-related pathology or cancer. The present invention also relates to a method of detecting a predisposition to placental-related pathology or cancer based on the presence or the level of said biomarker in a serum or plasma sample of said patient. The present invention also relates to a method for predicting and following the effect of drugs targeting epigenetic modifications and in particular the effect of demethylating agents. The present invention is directed to a kit comprising such serum biomarkers of epigenetic alterations, particularly of global hypomethylation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to distinguish between HCG ? type I and type II gene expression using specific antibody. The specific recognition of HCG? encoded by type II genes and expressed by trophoblastic and neoplastic cells might improve the clinical usefulness of assays aimed at either diagnosing tumors or screening Down's syndrome. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of HCG? type II in a biological sample. The present invention additionally provides process of preparation and screening hybridoma capable of specifically recognizing HCG? type II and recombinant antibody thereof. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of the expression level of the pro-EPIL gene as a biomarker for the diagnosing of testicular cancer, particularly a testicular germ cell tumor. The invention also relates to an in vitro method for detecting and/or classifying a testicular cancer in a subject comprising a step of determining the expression level of the gene encoding the pro-EPIL peptide in a biological, particularly in combination with the determination of the beta subunit HCG? and the human alpha-fetoprotein AFP. The invention is also directed to a kit or solid support comprising nucleic acids or antibodies capable of determining the presence or the expression level of these three biological markers.

Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a new protein called EPIL or placentin, its analogs ing EPIL/placentin-type activity, obtained by deletion and/or substitution. The tion also concerns a DNA molecule coding for a EPIL/placentin-type polypeptide. It ly concerns a pharmaceutical composition containing EPIL/placentin or a /placentin analog.

Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a new protein called EPIL or placentin, its analogs showing EPIL/placentin-type activity, obtained by deletion and/or substitution. The invention also concerns a DNA molecule coding for a EPIL/placentin-type polypeptide. It finally concerns a pharmaceutical composition containing EPIL/placentin or a EPIL/placentin analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new protein called EPIL or placentin, and analogs thereof having EPIL/placentin-type activity, obtained by deletion and/or substitution. The present invention also provides a DNA molecule coding for a EPIL/placentin-type polypeptide. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising EPIL/placentin or an EPIL/placentin analog.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a peptide structure comprising at leastthe sequence 106-116 of a .beta.-CG or a .beta.-LHa sequence of at least 5 amino acids containing at least one lysine residue.These structures may be used for the preparation of vaccines intended to control fertility.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunometric assay for a multivalent antigen in a sample which comprises forming a complex of the antigen together with multiple immobilized monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of the antigen and with a detectably labeled soluble monoclonal antibody which is identical to one of the multiple immobilized antibodies. The labeled antibody associated with the complex is separated from the remaining soluble antibody and the detectably labeled antibody associated with the complex or unassociated with the complex is detected. Any one of the multiple immobilized monoclonal antibodies shows, by itself, substantially less binding towards the antigen in the immunometric assay, when used with itself or another monocolonal antibody in soluble labeled form, than when used with the multiple immobilized antibodies in combination.

Abstract: A method for the determination of a free protein subunit of a quaternary protein in a sample, which comprises:(a) contacting a sample with a first immunological binding partner which is or will be bound to a carrier, wherein the first immunological binding partner binds epitopic determinants bindable only on the free protein subunit;(b) incubating the components of step (a) for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to form an immune complex between the free protein subunit, the first immunological binding partner, and the carrier;(c) separating the carrier of step (b) from the sample;(d) adding to the carrier of step (c), a detectably-labeled second immunological binding partner, wherein the second immunological binding partner binds epitopic determinants bindable on both the free protein subunit and the quaternary protein; and(e) determining the detectably-labeled second immunological binding partner in the carrier or in liquid phase.

Abstract: A highly sensitive and specific monoclonal-immuno-radiometric assay (M-IRMA) for hCG, using monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against a 37-amino acid synthetic polypeptide analogous to the carboxyl terminus (CTP) of beta-hCG. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method is described for the determination of human chorionic gonadotrThe present invention was made utilizing funds of the United States Government. The U.S. government is therefore granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive, world wide, paid-up license in this invention.