Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer by administering to a patient an antagonist against one or more of the vitamin binding proteins riboflavin carrier protein, retinol binding protein, and folic acid binding protein. The antagonist may, for example, be an antibody against the vitamin binding protein, an antibody against the corresponding vitamin binding protein receptor, or a conjugate of the corresponding vitamin and an immunogen that stimulates immune response. In the latter case the immunogen may, for example, be an immunogen that has previously been used to immunize the patient. Heterologous vitamin binding proteins may be used to actively immunize patients. The antagonist may also be an antisense oligonucleotide or a double-stranded RNA molecule that inhibits cellular expression of vitamin binding proteins.

Abstract: Measurements of elevated levels of riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) can be used to detect breast, liver, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Stains for riboflavin carrier protein can be used to visualize malignancies in tissue specimens. The new technique is particularly well-suited for the early detection of breast cancer. With a radioimmunoassay for RCP, we have observed that serum RCP levels were significantly elevated in women with breast cancer as compared to control subjects. A serum RCP level ≧1.0 ng/ml was highly predictive of the presence of breast cancer (other than in pregnant females).

Abstract: A method for determining the suitability of an organ for transplant by performing one or more tests on the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in the organ prior to the transplant operation. Specifically hyaluronic acid is used as the measure to determine liver transplant effectiveness.