Abstract:
The present invention relates, generally, to methods to identity subjects responsive to p73/p63 targeting agents such as platinum-based chemotherapy agents such as, but not limited to, cisplatin and cisplatin derivatives and analogues thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods to identify a cancer responsive to a p73/p63 targeting treatment, such as chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, by determining if the cancer expresses and/or has the activity of p63 isoforms such as DNp63 isoforms, and expresses and/or has the activity of p73 isoforms such as TAp73 or DNp73 isoforms. The present invention also relates to methods to identify a cancer unresponsive to a p73/p63 targeting treatment, such as chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin by determining if the cancer lacks the expression and/or activity of p63 isoforms such as DNp63 isoforms. The invention further provides kits to determine the expression and/or activity of p63 isoforms such as DNp63 isoforms, and/or the expression and/or activity of p73 isoforms such as TAp73 and/or DNp73 isoforms in a biological sample.