Inventors:
Clifford Schweinfest - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Dennis Waston - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
David Cole - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Alice Boylan - Charleston SC, US
International Classification:
A61K031/00
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel gene, CaSm, that is highly expressed in cancer tissues and cell lines, especially pancreatic cancer. The full length cDNA of CaSm encodes a protein of 133 amino acids. The present invention further encompasses CaSm peptides, fusion proteins, host cell expression systems, antibodies to CaSm, antisense CaSm molecules, and compounds that modulate CaSm gene expression or CaSm activity. The present invention also encompasses methods for disease diagnosis, drug screening and the treatment of cancer. In particular, the combined use of a CaSm antagonist with a therapeutic agent to treat cancer is encompassed.