Abstract: Transcript quantification of the metastasis progressor S100A4 is performed in body fluids. Methods, assays and kits relying on this quantification are disclosed that have diagnostic and/or prognostic applications in colorectal and gastric cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the nucleic acid sequence encoding for the polypeptide of 7a5/Prognostin and to its uses, in particular for the tumour diagnostics and tumour therapy of metastasising tumours.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a vector system that allows one to induce expression of therapeutically relevant genes in mammalian cells. Such a vector system may be useful for medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry. A vector comprises base structures suitable for expression in mammalian cells as well as either the whole of or parts of the gene promoter of human Major Vault Protein (MVP), also known as LRP (Lung Resistance Protein) as well as a gene encoding a therapeutic protein or non-translated RNA. As the MVP promoter is inducible by therapy (for example, but not limited to, chemotherapy or hyperthermia), the vector system provides combinations of therapeutic methods with gene therapy in a controlled fashion, resulting in more efficient treatment of tumor diseases.

Abstract: The efficiency of the chemotherapy of malign diseases is limited by resistances vis-à-vis the cytostatics used, which resistances are mediated by a plurality of different mechanisms that proceed at the same time or sequentially. The invention relates to the use of a method of establishing resistance profiles using RNA from tissues or cell lines by way of real-time RT PCR technology (carried out, for example, on the “Light Cycler” of Roche Diagnostics GmbH). The invention allows a quantitative analysis of the expressions of different genes that are associated with the development or the intensification or the reduction of resistances. Based thereon it is, for example, possible to establish individual patient resistance profiles that form the molecular-biological base for the selection of appropriate cytostatics before and also during the particular tumor chemotherapy. The inventive method also allows a prognosis of the chances of success (response) of certain chemotherapeutical regimes.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a therapy-regulatable vector system of the gene promoter of the human lung resistance protein (LRP/MVP). This vector system for the therapy-inducible expression of therapeutically relevant genes in mammalian cells shall be used in the pharmaceutical industry and in medicine.