Gregory Mark Ray

US Patent:

61070483, Aug 22, 2000

Filed:

Nov 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/974692

Inventors:

James R. Goldenring - Martinez GA
Gregory S. Ray - Snellville GA
Jeffrey R. Lee - Martinez GA

Assignee:

Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc. - Augusta GA

International Classification:

G01N 3353
C07K 1600
C12Q 168

US Classification:

435 71

Abstract:

A method of detecting dysplastic regions within epithelial tissue samples is sensitive enough to detect and distinguish between low grade and high grade dysplastic regions. The method uses probes specific for expression and accumulation of substances within a particular intracellular region from a defect in apical membrane trafficking (trafficking markers) and in the preferred embodiment correlates the trafficking marker levels with the presence of an oncogene such as p53. If low grade dysplasia is present, trafficking markers are detected in a distinctive perinuclear pattern. Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation of p53 over-expression with high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Detection of p53 is shown to be mutually exclusive of detection of trafficking markers. Therefore, dual detection for both the trafficking markers and p53 provides an accurate method for more precise grading of biopsies.