Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to methods of diagnosing and monitoring cancer and inflammatory diseases/disorders and, in particular, to methods of diagnosing and monitoring cancer and inflammatory diseases/disorders that comprise assaying for elevated levels of zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) in serum and other body fluids. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting thymic atrophy, including tumor-associated atrophy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel RNA picornavirus that is called Seneca Valley virus (“SVV”). The invention provides isolated SVV nucleic acids and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids. Further, the invention provides antibodies that are raised against the SVV proteins. Because SVV has the ability to selectively kill some types of tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV and SVV polypeptides to treat cancer. Because SVV specifically targets certain tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV nucleic acids and proteins to detect cancer. Additionally, due to the information provided by the tumor-specific mechanisms of SVV, the invention provides methods of making new oncolytic virus derivatives and of altering viruses to have tumor-specific tropisms.