| abstract |
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble forms of mesothelin polypeptides, including mesothelin related antigen (MRA). In particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding MRA and an MRA variant. The invention also provides a method of screening for the presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of an antibody specific for a mesothelin polypeptide with a molecule naturally occurring in soluble form in a sample from such a subject, and by hybridization screening using an MRA nucleotide sequence, as well as other related advantages. |