From the new GERN patent:
Generally, any detectable level of telomerase activity is considered elevated in this invention, as exemplified below. That is, in a human tissue, except for germ cells and stem cells, telomerase activity is generally not detectable. Germ and stem cells can be distinguished from other cell types which exhibit telomerase activity using methods known to those skilled in the art. Applicant has determined that the detection of telomerase activity is indicative not only of the presence of known cancer cells, but also of precancerous cells. By precancerous cells, it is meant that the cells would be classified as non-cancerous by pathology. Thus, the method of the instant invention allows cancerous conditions to be detected before cells become visibly cancerous.
The method of the present invention provides the advantage of allowing cancer to be detected in all tissue types by the use of telomerase as a marker. In addition, we have surprisingly found that cancer can be detected in cells which are shown to be normal by pathology, and have used the method of the present invention to detect cancer in several tissue samples.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a kit for performing the above method. Such a kit may be prepared from readily available materials and reagents. |
