WO2011081421A2

WO2011081421A2 - Complement c9 as markers for the diagnosis of cancer

Info

Publication number: WO2011081421A2
Application number: PCT/KR2010/009451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Je Yoel Cho
Original assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
Priority date: 2009-12-28
Filing date: 2010-12-28
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: WO2011081421A3; KR20110076829A; WO2011081421A9; KR101388711B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to use of complement C9 protein or gene encoding the same as a diagnostic marker for cancer, a diagnostic composition for cancer comprising an agent that measures the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby, a diagnostic kit for cancer comprising the diagnostic composition for cancer, a method for diagnosing cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker, and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker.

Description

COMPLEMENT C9 AS MARKERS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER

The present invention relates to complement C9 as a diagnostic marker specific to cancer, use of complement C9 protein or gene encoding the same as a diagnostic marker for cancer, a diagnostic composition for cancer comprising an agent that measures the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby, a diagnostic kit for cancer comprising the diagnostic composition for cancer, a method for diagnosing cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker, and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker.

Cancer is the first leading cause of death in Korea, and a total of 62,887 persons died of cancer (malignant neoplasm), accounting for 25.5% of total deaths(29.6% of all male deaths and 20.5% of all female deaths) or a total of 246,515 (Crude Death Rates: 512 deaths per one hundred thousand population) in 2002. The five leading causes of cancer deaths are lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer, which account for approximately 70% of all cancer deaths. In addition, the leading causes of cancer deaths in men are lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer, and these four leading causes account for approximately 70% (28,147 persons) of all male cancer deaths (40,177 persons). The leading causes of cancer deaths in women are stomach cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer, and these five leading causes account for approximately 60% (13,630 persons) of all female cancer deaths (22,710 persons).

There are many different types of cancers currently known, reaching several dozen, and cancers are generally classified according to the tissue of origin. Cancer cells grow very rapidly, and invade nearby tissue, leading to metastasis, and thus can directly threaten life. The types of cancer include cerebrospinal tumor, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, thymoma, esophagus cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, renal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, germ cell tumor, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, lymphoma, acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, and skin cancer. Cancer can be also divided by other classification according to pathogenesis or morphology.

In particular, lung cancer was a rare disease in the 19th century, but the increased incidence of lung cancer in the 20th century was first attributed to cigarette smoking. In Korea, the incidence of lung cancer is also rapidly increasing. Furthermore, since lung cancer is more fatal than other types of cancer, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related death, even though its incidence does not rank first.

The underlying mechanism of cancer development remains poorly defined, but it is generally understood that cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of cells due to genetic accidents that disrupt the normal regulation of cell proliferation. According to stages of cancer development, early cancer is defined as tumor invasion confined to the mucosa, which has a considerably better prognosis in most cancers. Thus, it is assumed that early diagnosis and treatment of cancer contribute to the reduction of the mortality rate and cancer treatment cost. However, at an early stage, cancer rarely causes symptoms, if any, including digestive disorder or abdominal discomfort. Thus, people often ignore these symptoms, leading to an increase in the mortality rate.

To date, the diagnosis of cancer has been made by physical examination. For example, gastrointestinal X-ray examination methods may be broadly classified into the double contrast method, the compression method, the mucosal relief method, etc. Endoscopic examination is advantageous in that it directly visualizes the mucosa to find small lesions that are not detected by X-ray, and permits biopsy of suspicious lesions, whereby the diagnosis rate is increased. However, endoscopic examination has problems that there is any chance of contamination, and patients have to experience significant discomfort during the procedure.

In addition, surgical resection of the lesion is the best method that can be conducted for the treatment of cancer, and thus is the only curative treatment currently available for cancer. For complete cure, surgical resection with a maximum surgical margin is generally recommended, but the extent of surgery may be determined in consideration of postoperative complications. However, when cancer spreads to other organs, radical surgery is not possible, and thus chemotherapy is adopted. Anticancer agents currently available serve to temporarily alleviate symptoms or to prevent recurrence and prolong survival time after surgical resection, and chemotherapy causes severe side effects, and also imposes economic burden on the patients.

Therefore, it is important to develop a diagnostic method that is capable of diagnosing cancer with high sensitivity and specificity, prior to treatment, and the method should be established to diagnose cancer at an early stage. For the development of diagnostic agents for detecting the occurrence and development of cancer and therapeutic agents as alternatives to solve the problems of surgical resection or chemotherapy, it is a prerequisite to screen biomarkers and to develop agents measuring the level of diagnostic marker.

Accordingly, the present inventors have made an effort to develop biomarkers capable of effectively diagnosing cancer and, as a result, have discovered a biomarker that is detectable in both cancer tissue and serum with high sensitivity and specificity, completing the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide use of complement C9 protein or gene encoding the same as a diagnostic marker for cancer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic composition for cancer, comprising an agent that measures the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide use of the diagnostic composition for cancer in the fabrication of diagnostic kit for cancer, or a diagnostic kit for cancer comprising the diagnostic composition for cancer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for diagnosing cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer using the complement C9 as a diagnostic marker.

The present invention provides a diagnostic marker capable of detecting metastasis and prognosis of cancer, and thus it is expected to provide useful information for the treatment and management of cancer. The cancer diagnostic marker, complement C9 according to the present invention, allows the simple and accurate diagnosis of cancer, and can be used as a specific target for the development of cancer-specific anticancer agents, furthermore, in studies on tumorigenesis. Thus, it is expected to greatly contribute to early diagnosis of cancer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for the detection of the marker protein of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the results of protein analysis on pooled sera of normal persons and small cell lung cancer patients (Lane 1), albumin and IgG in the sera (Lane 2), and albumin and IgG-depleted sera (Lane 3);

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one of glycosylation events, fucosylation;

FIG. 4 shows identification of fucosylated AFP of L3 fraction by lectin-electrophoresis;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism of the aberrant fucosylation in hepatocellular carcinoma (J.Biochem. 2008. 143. 725-729);

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process for isolating AAL lectin-binding fucosylated glycoproteins;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process for analyzing isolation and expression of fucosylated glycoprotein;

FIG. 8 is a photograph showing the results of lectin blot analysis on fucosylated glycoproteins present in the samples;

FIG. 9 shows the results of Western blot analysis on the expression of complement C9 protein in the sera of small cell lung cancer patients and normal persons (38 persons per group);

FIG. 10 is the results of Western blot analysis showing the expression patterns of complement C9 in the samples of squamous cell carcinoma patients;

FIG. 11 is the results of Western blot analysis showing the expression patterns of complement C9 in the samples of adenocarcinoma patients;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the expression levels of C9 complement in normal persons, adenocarcinoma patients, small cell lung cancer patients and squamous cell carcinoma patients;

FIG. 13 shows the results of protein chip array on the samples of normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients;

FIG. 14 is the results of Western blot analysis showing the expression patterns of complement C9 in the samples of normal persons, small cell lung cancer patients, squamous cell carcinoma patients, breast cancer patients, liver cancer patients, stomach cancer patients, renal cancer patients and ovarian cancer patients;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the process of sandwich ELISA-applied hybrid lectin ELISA;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the fucosylation of C9 complement contained in the samples of normal persons (HEC), adenocarcinoma patients (ADC), small cell lung cancer patients (SCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC); and

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the fucosylation of C9 complement contained in the samples of normal persons (HEC), breast cancer patients (BC), liver cancer patients (HCC), stomach cancer patients (STC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC).

In one aspect to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides use of complement C9 protein or gene encoding the same as a diagnostic marker for cancer.

The term "diagnosis", as used herein, refers to evaluation of the presence or properties of pathological states. With respect to the objects of the present invention, the diagnosis is to determine the incidence of cancer.

The term "diagnostic marker, marker for diagnosis, or diagnosis marker", as used herein, is intended to indicate a substance capable of diagnosing cancer by distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, and includes organic biomolecules, of which quantities are increased or decreased in cancer cells relative to normal cells, such as polypeptides, nucleic acids (e.g., mRNA, etc.), lipids, glycolipids, glycoproteins, and sugars (monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharides, etc.). With respect to the objects of the present invention, the diagnostic marker of the present invention is the complement C9 gene and a protein encoded thereby, of which the expression is increased in cancer cells as compared with the normal cells.

The term "complement", as used herein, refers to a protein complex consisting of about 20 proteins involved in immune responses in vivo, and largely consists of small components called C1 (component 1) to C9 (component 9). These complements bind to cell surface of bacteria in the presence of antigen-antibody complex by complement fixation, resulting in cell lysis, and the complement binds to the antigen-antibody complex, leading to opsonization for enhancing phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils.

Expression levels of several complement components are known to increase according to incidence and development of cancer, but there are no reports on complement C9. Therefore, the present inventors demonstrated that complement C9 is able to act as a tumor marker in various types of cancer, and in particular, its expression level specifically increases in squamous cell carcinoma (FIG. 10). These results suggest that the complement C9 marker of the present invention can be preferably used for the diagnosis of lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, renal caner, uterine cancer or the like, and more preferably lung cancer. Most preferably, the marker of the present invention can be used for the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Furthermore, a significant increase in expression level of the marker of the present invention was observed in the cancer tissue or serum of patient with cancer, and thus the marker of the present invention can be effectively used for non-invasive diagnosis of incidence or metastasis of cancer.

Lung cancer, malignant tumor originating in the lung, is broadly classified into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer according to the histological types. Small cell lung cancer is classified as lung cancer by the location of cancer cells, but considered distinct from other types of lung cancer in terms of clinical outcome, therapy and prognosis. Non-small cell lung cancer is also classified into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large-cell carcinoma according to the histological types.

In detail, small cell lung cancer is usually characterized by a grey-white large mass and arises in peribronchial locations, and surgery usually plays no role in its management, and it exhibits aggressive behavior, with rapid growth, early spread to distant sites through lymphatic vessel or blood circulation, and exquisite sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation. It was reported that small cell lung cancer most often spreads to the brain, the liver, the bone, the lung, the adrenal glands, the kidney, and primarily arises in the lining of the airway (in the bronchus or bronchiole).

Meanwhile, non-small cell lung cancer, as described above, is classified into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma. First, adenocarcinoma commonly occurs in the peripheral lung, and in women or non-smokers. Even with a small size, the metastasis is frequently observed, and its incidence is currently growing. Next, squamous cell carcinoma tends to originate in the central airways, and cause central airway obstruction as a result of its endoluminal growth. It frequently occurs in men, and is closely related to smoking. Lastly, large-cell carcinoma commonly occurs near the surface of the lung (in the peripheral lung), and approximately half of the cases occur in a large bronchus, and accounts for approximately 4 to 10% of all lung cancers. It generally has a large cell size, and tends to grow and metastasize rapidly, and thus carries a worse prognosis than other non-small cell lung cancers.

The cancer diagnostic marker of the present invention, complement C9 is highly expressed in various types of lung cancer, and thus can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of most lung cancers. It was also confirmed that the cancer diagnostic marker can be effectively utilized in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.

More particularly, the present inventors collected serum samples from patients with lung cancer, and removed albumin and IgG present in the serum in large quantities. Among other serum proteins, they selected fucosylated glycoproteins, which are highly expressed only in cancer cells. Proteins undergo glycosylation according to their intrinsic properties during post transcriptional modification, and there are some differences in glycosylation patterns of protein between normal and cancer cells. From the viewpoint of the relationship between glycosylation changes and cancer, the present inventors primarily isolated glycosylated proteins before the antigen-antibody reaction, and in particular, they identified cancer diagnostic markers from the fucosylated proteins. Identification of fucosylated proteins may be performed by the typical method known in the art without limitation, and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, lectin blot analysis was performed to isolate fucosylated glycoproteins (Example 3). The selected glycoproteins were cleaved into peptides by treatment with trypsin, and the cleaved peptides were analyzed through a proteomics-based approach. Consequently, they found out a new marker protein, complement C9 being highly expressed only in cancer, and a remarkably high expression of the complement C9 was observed in patients with lung cancer including small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma, as well as in patients with liver cancer, renal cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer, compared with those in normal persons, suggesting that the complement C9 can be used as a cancer diagnostic marker.

The term "cancer", as used herein, may be carcinoma including lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, renal cancer, rectal cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, esophageal cancer, uterine cancer, gallbladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer (including squamous cell carcinoma), and hematopoietic tumors; tumors of mesenchymal origin, including fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma; tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system, including astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, glioma and schwannomas; and other tumors, including melanoma, seminoma, teratocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, xeroderma pigmentosum, keratoctanthoma, thyroid follicular cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma, and preferably, lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, renal cancer or uterine cancer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a diagnostic composition for cancer, comprising an agent that measures the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby.

The term "agent measuring the expression level of complement C9", as used herein, means a molecule that is used for the detection of the marker complement C9 overexpressed in cancer cells, preferably antibodies, primers, or probes being specific to the marker.

The complement C9 expression levels may be determined by measuring expression levels of mRNA of the complement C9 gene or protein encoded thereby, and the expression levels may be determined by measuring expression levels of any single gene or any one or more genes.

The term "measurement of mRNA expression level", as used herein, refers to a process of assessing the presence and expression level of mRNA of the cancer marker gene in biological samples for the diagnosis of cancer, in which the amount of mRNA is measured. Analysis methods for measuring mRNA level include, but are not limited to, RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, RNase protection assay (RPA), Northern blotting and DNA chip assay.

The agent for measuring the mRNA level of the gene is preferably a pair of primers or a probe. Since the nucleotide sequence or the mRNA sequence is readily found in NC_000005.9 or NM_001737.3 for the complement C9 gene, those who are skilled in the art can design primers or probes useful for specifically amplifying predetermined regions of the genes, on the basis of the nucleotide sequence.

The term "primer", as used herein, means a short nucleic acid sequence having a free 3' hydroxyl group, which is able to form base-pairing interaction with a complementary template and serves as a starting point for replication of the template strand. A primer is able to initiate DNA synthesis in the presence of a reagent for polymerization (i.e., DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase) and four different nucleosides triphosphates at suitable buffers and temperature. In the present invention, PCR amplification is performed using sense and antisense primers of complement C9 polynucleotide, and the presence of the targeted product is examined to diagnose cancer. PCR conditions and the length of sense and antisense primer can be modified on the basis of the methods known in the art.

The term "probe", as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA) fragment capable of specifically binding to mRNA, ranging in length from ones to hundreds of bases. The probe useful in the present invention is labeled so as to detect the presence or absence of a specific mRNA. The probe may be in the form of oligonucleotides, single stranded DNA, double stranded DNA, or RNA. In the present invention, hybridization is performed using a probe complementary to complement C9 polynucleotide, and cancer can be diagnosed by the hybridization result. Selection of suitable probe and hybridization conditions can be modified on the basis of the methods known in the art.

The primer or probe of the present invention may be chemically synthesized using a phosphoramidite solid support method or other widely known methods. These nucleic acid sequences may also be modified using many means known in the art. Non-limiting examples of such modifications include methylation, "capsulation", replacement of one or more native nucleotides with analogues thereof, and inter-nucleotide modifications, for example, modifications to uncharged conjugates (e.g., methyl phosphonate, phosphotriester, phosphoroamidate, carbamate, etc.) or charged conjugates (e.g., phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, etc.).

The "measurement of protein expression levels", as used herein, is a process of assessing the presence and expression levels of proteins expressed from cancer marker genes in biological samples for diagnosing cancer, in which the amount of protein products is measured using antibodies specifically binding to the proteins. Analysis methods for measuring protein levels include, but are not limited to, Western blotting, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), radioimmunoassay (RIA), radioimmunodiffusion, ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunohistostaining, immunoprecipitation assay, complement fixation assay, FACS, and protein chip assay.

The term "antibody", as used herein, is a term known in the art, and refers to a specific protein molecule that indicates an antigenic region. With respect to the objects of the present invention, the antibody refers to an antibody that specifically binds to the marker of the present invention, complement C9. To prepare the antibody, each gene is cloned into an expression vector according to the typical method, so as to obtain a protein encoded by the marker gene, and then the antibody may be prepared from the protein according to the typical method, in which a partial peptide prepared from the protein is included, and the partial peptide of the present invention includes at least 7 amino acids, preferably 9 amino acids, and more preferably 12 amino acids or more. There is no limitation in the form of the antibody of the present invention, and a polyclonal antibody and a monoclonal antibody, or a part thereof having antigen-binding property is also included. Moreover, the antibody of all classes is included. Furthermore, the antibody of the present invention also includes special antibodies, such as a humanized antibody.

The antibodies used in the detection of cancer marker of the present invention include complete forms having two full-length light chains and two full-length heavy chains, as well as functional fragments of antibody molecules. The functional fragments of antibody molecules refer to fragments retaining at least an antigen-binding function, and include Fab, F(ab'), F(ab') 2, Fv or the like.

In accordance with the specific embodiment of the present invention, the composition for the detection of cancer diagnostic marker comprises a pair of primers specific to the complement C9 gene.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention relates to use of the diagnostic composition for cancer in the fabrication of diagnostic kit for cancer, or a diagnostic kit for cancer comprising the diagnostic composition for cancer.

The kit of the present invention can detect the marker by determining the mRNA or protein level of the diagnostic marker for cancer, complement C9. The detection kit of the present invention may comprises a primer to measure the expression level of the diagnostic marker for cancer, a probe or an antibody selectively recognizing the marker, as well as one or more kind of composition, a solution, or an apparatus, which are suitable for the analysis method.

In a specific embodiment, the kit to measure mRNA expression level of complement C9 may be a kit characterized by including essential elements required for performing RT-PCR. An RT-PCR kit may include test tubes or other suitable containers, reaction buffers (varying in pH and magnesium concentrations), deoxynucleotides (dNTPs), enzymes such as Taq-polymerase and reverse transcriptase, DNAse, RNAse inhibitor, DEPC-treated water, and sterile water, in addition to a pair of primers specific for the marker gene. Also, the RT-PCR kit may include primers specific to a nucleic acid sequence of a control gene.

Preferably, the kit of the present invention may be a diagnostic kit, characterized by including essential elements required for performing a DNA chip assay. A DNA chip kit may include a base plate, onto which genes or fragments thereof, cDNA or oligonucleotides are attached, and reagents, agents, and enzymes for preparing fluorescent probes. Also, the base plate may include cDNA corresponding to a control gene or fragments thereof.

In another specific embodiment, the protein chip kit for measuring the protein level of complement C9 may include a matrix, a suitable buffer solution, a coloring enzyme, or a secondary antibody labeled with a fluorescent substance, a coloring substrate or the like for the immunological detection of antibody. As for the matrix, a nitrocellulose membrane, a 96 well plate made of polyvinyl resin, a 96 well plate made of polystyrene resin, and a slide glass may be used. As for the coloring enzyme, peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase may be used. As for the fluorescent substance, FITC and RITC may be used, and as for the coloring substrate solution, ABTS (2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), OPD (o-phenylenediamine), or TMB (tetramethyl benzidine) may be used.

In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for diagnosing cancer using the cancer diagnostic marker complement C9, comprising the steps of (i) measuring complement C9 gene expression level or protein level thereof in a biological sample from a patient with suspected cancer; (ii) comparing the complement C9 gene expression level or protein level thereof with that of a normal control sample; and (iii) diagnosing it as cancer when the gene expression level or protein level thereof in a biological sample from a patient is higher than that of the normal control group.

With the detection methods, the occurrence of cancer can be diagnosed by comparing the gene expression level in a patient with suspected cancer to that in a normal control group. That is, the expression level of the marker of the present invention in suspected cancer cell is measured and compared to that in normal cell. If a significant increase in the expression level of the marker is observed in the suspected cancer cell, the suspected cancer can be diagnosed as cancer. In this connection, the gene expression level may be detected at the mRNA level or protein level, and analysis methods for measuring mRNA levels include, but are not limited to, RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, RNase protection assay, Northern blotting and DNA chip assay. In detail, the mRNA expression levels are preferably measured by RT-PCR or DNA chip assay using primers being specific to the gene used as a cancer marker. RT-PCR products are electrophoresed, and patterns and thicknesses of bands are analyzed to determine the expression and levels of mRNA from a gene used as a diagnostic marker of cancer while comparing the mRNA expression and levels with those of a control, thereby simply diagnosing the incidence of cancer.

Alternatively, the above method may be performed using a DNA chip in which the cancer marker genes or fragments thereof are anchored at high density to a glass-like base plate. A cDNA probe labeled with a fluorescent substance at its end or internal region is prepared using mRNA isolated from a sample, and is hybridized with the DNA chip, thereby diagnosing the incidence of cancer.

Meanwhile, analysis methods for measuring protein levels include, but are not limited to, Western blotting, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), RIA (radioimmunoassay), radioimmunodiffusion, ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunohistostaining, immunoprecipitation assay, complement fixation assay, immunofluorescence, immunochromatography, FACS (fluorescenceactivated cell sorter analysis), and protein chip assay. With the analysis methods, a patient with suspected cancer is compared with a normal control for the amount of formed antigen-antibody complexes, and the patient's suspected cancer is diagnosed by evaluating a significant increase in expression levels of a protein from the cancer marker gene.

The term "biological sample", as used herein, includes samples displaying a difference in expression levels of the cancer marker gene complement C9, such as tissues, cells, whole blood, serum, plasma, saliva, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid or urine, but is not limited thereto.

The term "antigen-antibody complexes", as used herein, refers to products binding a cancer marker protein to an antibody specific thereto. The amount of formed antigen-antibody complexes may be quantitatively determined by measuring the signal intensity of a detection label. Such a detection label may be selected from the group consisting of enzymes, fluorescent substances, ligands, luminescent substances, microparticles, redox molecules and radioactive isotopes, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. Examples of enzymes available as detection labels include, but are not limited to, β-glucuronidase, β-D-glucosidase, β-D-galactosidase, urase, peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase, glucose oxidase, hexokinase and GDPase, RNase, glucose oxidase and luciferase, phosphofructokinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, aspartate aminotransferase, phosphenolpyruvate decarboxylase, and β-latamase. Examples of the fluorescent substances include, but are not limited to, fluorescin, isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamin. Examples of the ligands include, but are not limited to, biotin derivatives. Examples of luminescent substances include, but are not limited to, acridinium esters, luciferin and luciferase. Examples of the microparticles include, but are not limited to, colloidal gold and colored latex. Examples of the redox molecules include, but are not limited to, ferrocene, ruthenium complexes, viologen, quinone, Ti ions, Cs ions, diimide, 1,4-benzoquinone, hydroquinone, K₄W(CN)₈, [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺, [RU(bpy)₃]²⁺, [MO(CN)₈]^4-. Examples of the radioactive isotopes include, but are not limited to, ³H, ¹⁴C, ³²P, ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁸Co, ⁵⁹Fe, ⁹⁰Y, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, and ¹⁸⁶Re.

Preferably, the protein expression levels are measured by ELISA. Examples of ELISA include direct ELISA using a labeled antibody recognizing an antigen immobilized on a solid support, indirect ELISA using a labeled antibody recognizing a capture antibody forming complexes with an antigen immobilized on a solid support, direct sandwich ELISA using another labeled antibody recognizing an antigen in an antigen-antibody complex immobilized on a solid support, and indirect sandwich ELISA, in which another labeled antibody recognizing an antigen in an antigen-antibody complex immobilized on a solid support is reacted, and then a secondary labeled antibody recognizing the other labeled antibody is used. More preferably, the protein expression levels are detected by sandwich ELISA, where a sample reacts with an antibody immobilized on a solid support, and the resulting antigen-antibody complexes are detected by adding a labeled antibody specific for the antigen, followed by enzymatic development, or by adding a secondary antibody labeled to antibody which binds to the antigen- antibody complex, followed by enzymatic development. The incidence of cancer may be diagnosed by measuring the degree of complex formation of a cancer marker protein and an antibody thereto.

Further, the protein expression levels are preferably measured by Western blotting using one or more antibodies to the cancer diagnostic markers. Total proteins are isolated from a sample, electrophoresed to be separated according to size, transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and reacted with an antibody. The amount of proteins produced by gene expression is determined by measuring the amount of produced antigen-antibody complexes using a labeled antibody, thereby diagnosing the incidence of cancer. The detection methods are composed of methods of assessing expression levels of marker genes in a control and cells in which cancer occurs. mRNA or protein levels may be expressed as an absolute (e.g., ㎍/㎖), or relative (e.g. relative intensity of signals) difference in the amount of marker proteins.

In addition, the protein expression levels are preferably measured by immunohistostaining using one or more antibodies against the cancer diagnostic markers. Normal tissues and suspected cancer tissues were collected and fixed, and then paraffin-embedded blocks were prepared according to a widely known method. The blocks were cut into small sections (several μm in thickness), and attached to glass slides to be reacted with one selected from the antibodies according to a known method. Subsequently, the unreacted antibodies were washed, and the reacted antibodies were labeled with one selected from the above mentioned detection labels, and then observed under a microscope.

It is also preferable to analyze the protein level using a protein chip in which one or more antibodies against the cancer diagnostic marker are arranged and fixed at a high density at predetermined positions on a substrate. In this regard, proteins are separated from a sample and hybridized with a protein chip to form an antigen-antibody complex, which is then read to examine the presence or expression level of the protein of interest, thereby diagnosing the occurrence of cancer.

In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer using the cancer diagnostic marker, complement C9. In detail, the method comprises the steps of: (i) measuring the expression level of complement C9 gene or protein encoded by the gene in a sample from an experimental animal with cancer as a control group; (ii) administering candidate substances that are expected to treat cancer of the experimental animal; (iii) measuring the expression level of complement C9 gene or protein encoded by the gene in a sample from the experimental animal administered with the candidate substances as an experimental group; and (iv) comparing the expression level of complement C9 gene or protein encoded by the gene measured in the experimental group with that measured in the control group, and then determining the candidate substance reducing the expression level as a therapeutic agent.

That is, the expression level of the marker complement C9 in cancer cell is measured in the absence of a candidate substance, and then compared to that in the presence of the candidate substance. A substance that decreases the expression level of the marker of the present invention in its presence can be selected as a therapeutic agent for cancer.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. However, these Examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the invention is not intended to be limited by these Examples.

Example 1: Collection of serum samples

Serum samples of 13 normal persons and 13 patients with lung cancer were provided by Samsung hospital, Seoul. The samples were stored at -70℃ before use.

Example 2: Removal of albumin and IgG

Many types of proteins are present in the blood at different concentrations. For example, albumin is present at a high concentration of approximately 30-40 mg/ml, and constitutes approximately half of the total blood protein. IgG (Immunoglobulin G) is also contained in the serum at a high concentration. Meanwhile, cytokines, in particular, interleukins, which are highly expressed under particular circumstances of the body such as incidence or development of cancer or specific disease and directly reflect the body's events, are present at a concentration of only about 10 ng/ml. Thus, in the study of cytokines or marker proteins specifically expressed in cancer, the large amount of proteins in the blood, including albumin and IgG, should be first removed.

Accordingly, the present inventors, to overcome the above described problem, removed albumin and IgG among the proteins present in the serum using a kit for protein removal(ProteoPrep Immunoaffinity Albumin & IgG Depletion Kit, Sigma, USA). In detail, when each of the obtained serum samples was applied to a column included in the kit, albumin and IgG bound to a resin of the column, and other proteins passed through the column. Therefore, the samples passed through the column were collected to obtain the albumin and IgG-depleted serum samples (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is an electrophoretic image showing the result of removing albumin and IgG from the samples of normal persons and lung cancer patients, in which Lane 1 of Healthy represents crude pooled serum before removal of albumin and IgG from the sample of normal person, Lane 2 of Healthy represents albumin and IgG bound to the column of the kit for protein removal, which are derived from the pooled serum of normal person, and Lane 3 of Healthy represents the albumin and IgG-depleted pooled serum of normal person. In addition, Lane 1 of Small cell lung cancer represents pooled serum before removal of albumin and IgG from the sample of patient, Lane 2 of Small cell lung cancer represents albumin and IgG bound to the column of the kit for protein removal, which are derived from the pooled serum of patient, and Lane 3 of Small cell lung cancer represents the albumin and IgG-depleted pooled serum of patient. As shown in FIG. 2, it was found that most of albumin and IgG were removed from the sera of normal person and patient.

Example 3: Isolation of fucosylated glycoproteins

Glycoprotein means a protein with covalently attached sugar groups at the side chain of the peptide, and the sugar groups are attached to the protein by post transcriptional modification, called glycosylation. Glycoproteins produced in the body by the glycosylation exist as extracellular secreted proteins or integral proteins, and they were reported to perform many functions involved in immune responses or cell-cell interaction. Fucosylation refers to a glycosylation process of attaching a fucose moiety to protein, and most frequently occurs in vivo. It is known that various fucosyltransferases, GDP-fucose synthetic enzymes and GDP-fucose transporter are involved in the fucosylation pathway (FIG. 3).

Since the relationship between fucosylation and cancer was first identified in 1979, fucosylation has been recognized as an important glycosylation event. For example, AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), a well-known tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinomas, undergoes aberrant fucosylation due to microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinomas (FIGs. 4 and 5).

Meanwhile, lectins are sugar-binding proteins, which are highly specific for their different sugar moieties, and are involved in the recognition process between cells or proteins in vivo. There are many types of lectins, and each type has an ability to bind to a specific sugar moiety. Therefore, lectins can be used to analyze specific glycosylation, and are also employed in the concentration of a sample and as biomarkers for diagnosis. On the basis of this idea, the present inventors tried to select fucosylated glycoproteins from the albumin and IgG-depleted serum samples of patient using a column packed with one type of lectins, AAL (Aleuria Aurantia Lectin).

In detail, an empty spin column was washed and packed with AAL, followed by stabilization. The albumin and IgG-depleted serum sample of patient was applied thereto, and reacted for 12 hrs. Then, the proteins bound to the column were eluted to obtain fucosylated glycoproteins bound to AAL (FIG. 6).

Next, in order to analyze the obtained fucosylated glycoproteins, the sample was subjected to electrophoresis, and an ALL-biotin complex binding to the fucosylated glycoproteins and a streptavidin-HRP complex binding to the biotin were added thereto, sequentially. Then, HRP activity was analyzed by ECL (Electrochemiluminescence), thereby detecting the presence of fucosylated glycoproteins (FIG. 8).

FIG. 8 is a photograph showing the results of lectin blot analysis for the detection of fucosylated glycoproteins present in the samples, in which Lane 1 represents crude pooled serum of a normal person, Lane 2 represents crude pooled serum of a patient before removal of albumin and IgG, Lane 3 represents albumin and IgG-depleted pooled serum of a normal person, Lane 4 represents albumin and IgG-depleted pooled serum of patient, Lane 5 represents pooled serum of a normal person not bound to the AAL column, Lane 6 represents pooled serum of a patient not bound to the AAL column, Lane 7 represents pooled serum of a normal person bound to the AAL column, and Lane 8 represents pooled serum of a normal person bound to the AAL column. As shown in FIG. 8, it was found that the sample bound to AAL column contained a high content of fucosylated glycoproteins.

Example 4: Protein mass spectrometry and Exploration of candidates

After acquiring the sample of fucosylated glycoproteins by AAL lectin blotting, trypsin digestion was performed to analyze glycoproteins of the sample using a LC-MS/MS spectrometer by a proteomics-based method. On the basis of a database search and use of many softwares, the proteins were analyzed. Thereafter, the glycoproteins of lung cancer patient and normal groups were compared to each other, resulting in the identification of complement C9 specific to the lung cancer group.

Example 5: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal person and lung cancer patient

In order to confirm whether C9 identified in Example 4 can be used as a diagnostic marker for lung cancer, the expression levels of the C9 protein in a large number of patients with small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma were compared with that of a normal person by Western blot analysis.

Example 5-1: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and small cell lung cancer patients

Serum samples were obtained from each of 38 normal persons and small cell lung cancer patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement between normal persons and small cell lung cancer patients (FIGs. 9a and 9b).

FIG. 9a is a photograph showing the results of Western blot analysis on parts of the serum samples of normal persons (HE) and small cell lung cancer patients (SCC), and FIG. 9b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the intensities of the bands color-developed by Western blotting.

As shown in FIGs. 9a and 9b, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in small cell lung cancer patients than normal persons, indicating that C9 can be used as a diagnostic marker for small cell lung cancer.

Example 5-2: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients

Serum samples were obtained from 121 normal persons and 120 squamous cell carcinoma patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement between normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients (FIGs. 10a and 10b).

FIG. 10a is a photograph showing the results of Western blot analysis on parts of the serum samples of normal persons (HE) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC), and FIG. 10b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the intensities of the bands color-developed by Western blotting.

As shown in FIGs. 10a and 10b, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in squamous cell carcinoma patients than normal persons, indicating that C9 can be used as a diagnostic marker for squamous cell carcinoma.

Example 5-3: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and adenocarcinoma patients

Serum samples were obtained from 121 normal persons and 120 adenocarcinoma patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement between normal persons and adenocarcinoma patients (FIGs. 11a and 11b).

FIG. 11a is a photograph showing the results of Western blot analysis on parts of the serum samples of normal persons (HE) and adenocarcinoma patients (LAC), and FIG. 11b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the intensities of the bands color-developed by Western blotting.

As shown in FIGs. 11a and 11b, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in adenocarcinoma patients than normal persons, indicating that C9 can be used as a diagnostic marker for adenocarcinoma.

Example 5-4: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and lung cancer patients by Western blot

In the results of Examples 5-1 to 5-3, a significantly high expression of C9 of the present invention was observed in the patients with small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Therefore, expression levels of C9 complement between the samples from lung cancer patients were directly compared to each other.

In detail, serum samples were obtained from each 20 of normal persons, adenocarcinoma patients, small cell lung cancer patients and squamous cell carcinoma patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement between normal persons, adenocarcinoma patients, small cell lung cancer patients and squamous cell carcinoma patients (FIGs. 12a and 12b).

FIG. 12a is a photograph showing the results of Western blot analysis on parts of the serum samples of normal persons (HEC), adenocarcinoma patients (ADC), small cell lung cancer patients (SCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC), and FIG. 12b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the intensities of the bands color-developed by Western blotting.

As shown in FIGs. 12a and 12b, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in all lung cancer patients than normal persons. In particular, a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in squamous cell carcinoma patients than normal persons and other lung cancer patients, indicating that C9 can be used as a diagnostic marker for lung cancer.

Example 5-5: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and lung cancer patients by protein chip array

In the results of Example 5-4, the highest expression of C9 of the present invention was observed in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma. In order to reconfirm the results, expression levels of C9 complement between the samples from squamous cell carcinoma patients and normal persons were directly compared to each other by protein chip array.

In detail, serum samples were obtained from each 100 of normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement between normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients (FIGs. 13a, 13b, and 13c).

FIG. 13a is a photograph showing the results of protein chip array on the samples of normal persons and squamous cell carcinoma patients, FIG. 13b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the color-development in the protein chip, and Figure 13c shows that receiver-operator characteristic curves (ROC) for C9. The detection of SQLC was with respect to HEC. The sensitivity was 53% and the specificity was 89%. The area-under-the-curve (AUC) was 0.708.

As shown in FIGs. 13a to 13c, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in squamous cell carcinoma patients than normal persons.

Example 6: Comparison of C9 complement expression between normal persons and various cancer patients

In the results of Example 5, it was confirmed that the C9 of the present invention can be used as a diagnostic marker for most lung cancers. Thus, it is intended to confirm whether C9 can be used for the diagnosis of other types of cancer in addition to lung cancers.

In detail, serum samples were obtained from each of 12 normal persons, small cell lung cancer patients, and squamous cell carcinoma patients, each of 9 breast cancer patients, liver cancer patients, and stomach cancer patients, 6 renal cancer patients, and 3 ovarian cancer patients, and albumin and IgG were removed from each sample in the same manner as in Example 2. Then, each sample was subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-C9 antibody to compare the expression levels of C9 complement in normal persons, small cell lung cancer patients, squamous cell carcinoma patients, breast cancer patients, liver cancer patients, stomach cancer patients, renal cancer patients, and ovarian cancer patients (FIGs. 14a and 14b).

FIG. 14a is a photograph showing the results of Western blot analysis on parts of the serum samples of normal persons (HE), small cell lung cancer patients (SCC), squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQC), breast cancer patients (BC), liver cancer patients (HCC), stomach cancer patients (SC), renal cancer patients (RCC) and ovarian cancer patients (OC), and FIG. 14b is a graph showing the result of densitometry determining the intensities of the bands color-developed by Western blotting.

As shown in FIGs. 14a and 14b, it was found that a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in all cancer patients than normal persons. In particular, a significantly higher expression of C9 was observed in breast cancer patients, squamous cell carcinoma patients and small cell lung cancer patients than normal persons and other cancer patients, and a significantly higher expression of C9 was also observed in renal cancer patients, stomach cancer patients, breast cancer patients, and liver cancer patients than normal persons, indicating that C9 can be used as a diagnostic marker for other types of cancer as well as lung cancer.

Example 7: Comparison of fucosylation of C9 complement

As described in Example 3, fucosylation has been recognized as an important glycosylation event. Thus, fucosylation of C9 complement detected in the samples of three types of lung cancer patients was compared to each other, and that in the samples of different types of cancer patients was also compared to each other.

Example 7-1: Comparison of fucosylation of C9 complement between different lung cancers

Fucosylation of C9 complement contained in the samples of lung cancer patients was analyzed and compared by sandwich ELISA-applied hybrid lectin ELISA (FIG. 15).

In detail, the samples of 20 each of normal persons, adenocarcinoma patients, small cell lung cancer patients and squamous cell carcinoma patients were added to anti-C9 antibody-coated plates, respectively. An ALL-biotin complex binding to the fucosylated glycoproteins and a streptavidin-HRP complex binding to the biotin were added thereto, sequentially. Then, HRP activity was determined using an ELISA reader, thereby measuring the fucosylation of C9 complement (FIG. 16).

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the fucosylation of C9 complement contained in the samples of normal persons (HEC), adenocarcinoma patients (ADC), small cell lung cancer patients (SCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC). As shown in FIG. 16, increased fucosylation of C9 complement was observed in the samples of lung cancer patients, compared to those of normal persons, but there was no significant difference in fucosylation of C9 complement between the samples of different types of lung cancer patients.

Example 7-2: Comparison of fucosylation of C9 complement between different types of cancers

In the results of Example 7-1, it was confirmed that there was no significant difference in fucosylation of C9 complement between the samples of different types of lung cancer patients. Thus, it is intended to confirm whether a significant difference in fucosylation of C9 complement is observed in the samples of different types of cancer patients.

In detail, the samples of each 15 of normal persons, breast cancer patients, liver cancer patients, stomach cancer patients, and squamous cell carcinoma patients were added to anti-C9 antibody-coated plates, respectively. An ALL-biotin complex binding to the fucosylated glycoproteins and a streptavidin-HRP complex binding to the biotin were added thereto, sequentially. Then, HRP activity was determined using an ELISA reader, thereby measuring the fucosylation of C9 complement (FIG. 17).

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the fucosylation of C9 complement contained in the samples of normal persons (HEC), breast cancer patients (BC), liver cancer patients (HCC), stomach cancer patients (STC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC). As shown in FIG. 17, increased fucosylation of C9 complement was observed in the samples of all cancer patients, compared to those of normal persons, and in particular, relatively high fucosylation of C9 complement was observed in the samples of stomach cancer patients (STC) and squamous cell carcinoma patients (SQLC).

Claims

A diagnostic composition for cancer, comprising an agent that measures the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby.
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the agent measuring the mRNA level of the gene comprises primers specific to the complement C9 gene.
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the agent measuring the mRNA level of the gene comprises probes specific to the complement C9 gene.
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the agent measuring the protein expression level comprises antibodies specific to the complement C9 gene.
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the cancer is one or more selected from the group consisting of lung cancer, breast cancer, hepatic cancer, stomach cancer, renal cancer, and uterine cancer.
A diagnostic kit for cancer, comprising the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The kit according to claim 6, wherein the kit is an RT-PCR kit, a DNA chip kit, or a protein chip kit.
A method for diagnosing cancer using a cancer marker complement C9, comprising the steps of:

(i) measuring the expression level of complement C9 gene or protein encoded thereby in a biological sample from a patient with suspected cancer;

(ii) comparing the expression level with that of a normal control sample; and

(iii) diagnosing it as cancer when the expression level in the sample from a patient is higher than that of the normal control group.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the gene expression level is an mRNA expression level of the gene.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the mRNA expression level is measured by RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, real time quantitative RT-PCR, RNase protection method, Northern blotting or DNA chip technology.
The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the mRNA expression level is measured by RT-PCR using primers.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the protein expression level is measured by using an antibody specific to the corresponding protein.
The method according to claim 8 or 12, wherein the protein expression level is measured by any one of Western blotting, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), RIA (radioimmunoassay), radial immunodiffusion, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunohistochemical staining, immunoprecipitation assay, complement fixation assay, immunofluorescence, immunochromatography, FACS (fluorescenceactivated cell sorter analysis) or protein chip technology.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the cancer is any one or more selected from the group consisting of lung cancer, breast cancer, hepatic cancer, stomach cancer, renal cancer, and uterine cancer.
A method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer using a cancer marker complement C9, comprising the steps of:

(i) measuring the expression level of complement C9 gene or protein encoded thereby in a sample from an experimental animal with cancer as a control group;

(ii) administering candidate substances that are expected to treat cancer of the experimental animal;

(iii) measuring the expression level of complement C9 mRNA or protein encoded thereby in a sample from the experimental animal administered with the candidate substances as an experimental group; and

(iv) comparing the expression level measured in the experimental group with that measured in the control group, and then determining the candidate substance reducing the expression level as a therapeutic agent.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the expression level of complement C9 gene is an mRNA expression level of the gene.
The method according to claim 16, wherein the mRNA expression level is measured by RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, real time quantitative RT-PCR, RNase protection method, Northern blotting or DNA chip technology.
The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the mRNA expression level is measured by RT-PCR using primers.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the expression level of the protein is measured by using an antibody specific to the corresponding protein.
The method according to claim 15 or 19, wherein the protein expression level is measured by any one of Western blotting, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), RIA (radioimmunoassay), radial immunodiffusion, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunohistochemical staining, immunoprecipitation assay, complement fixation assay, immunofluorescence, immunochromatography, FACS (fluorescenceactivated cell sorter analysis) or protein chip technology.
The method according to claim 15, wherein the cancer is any one or more selected from the group consisting of lung cancer, breast cancer, hepatic cancer, stomach cancer, renal cancer, and uterine cancer.
Use of complement C9 protein or gene encoding the same as a diagnostic marker for cancer.
Use of the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for the fabrication of diagnostic kit for cancer.