Abstract: The present invention, in general, relates to use of nm23H1-B gene for diagnosing cancer susceptibility and metastatic progression in colon/colorectal cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to identifying the alteration in the expression of nm23H1-B gene on treatment with chemotherapeutic agents for diagnosing cancer susceptibility and metastatic progression in colon/colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins useful as therapeutics against cancer. The fusion protein comprises of cell-targeting moiety and apoptosis-inducing moiety. Cell-targeting moiety and apoptosis-inducing moiety are linked by a flexible linker, which are specifically recognized by cancer specific protease and cleaved in situ to release the apoptotic domain. In particular, the invention is illustrated by a recombinant fusion protein between human Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and BH3 domain of Bcl2 family protein, linked by a linker that has site for cancer specific proteases. The fusion protein specifically targets VIP receptor over-expressing cancer cells and induces cell-specific apoptosis after cleavage at the linker site by cancer specific proteases. Such fusion proteins are useful for the delivery of therapeutic/apoptotic moiety (peptides) to specific cells with perturbed expression of, but not limited to neuropeptide receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fusion gene useful as a therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine against cancer. The fusion gene contains a DNA encoding ubiquitin gene fused to a second DNA encoding growth factor receptors or fragment thereof, over expressed in various types of cancer. In particular, the invention is illustrated by a recombinant fusion gene comprised of mutated ubiquitin gene and modified extra cellular domain of vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide receptor-1 (VPAC1). Immunization with the vaccine will break the self-tolerance for the tumor antigen through effective antigen processing and presentation, leading to retardation/regression of tumor growth.